Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Features

DePauw University, greek life. The two have become synonymous with each other.

In the 2008 Princeton Review, DePauw was ranked as the #1 "Fraternity and Sorority Scene" in the nation. The Office of Institutional Research recently announced that 66 percent of women on campus are in a sorority. From nearly any spot on campus, one of the six active sorority houses is visible. Campus bulletin boards are crammed with colorful philanthropy advertisements. For years the DePauw sorority system has dominated not only the local media, but the national news as well, sometimes in a negative light.

The pressure that freshman female students often feel during rush is overwhelming, and not receiving a bid can be devastating. It's no secret: greek life dominates the campus climate. As one female student put it, on DePauw's campus, "You cannot escape greek life. It is a fact: when you become a DePauw student, you agree to tolerate greek life."

Lost in this shuffle are a group of students that are now trying to make their own voice heard - independent women.

Life as an independent woman

Freshman Katherine Walker recently went through the process, but ultimately decided to remain independent.

"Rush was actually a lot of fun," Walker said. "But I don't feel like a sorority is a good fit for my lifestyle. The greek system is great. It's just not for me."

Senior Jacqueline Betsch echoed Walker's sentiments. "I went through all three rounds of rush as a first-year," Betsch said. "I ultimately decided that I didn't need to be in that type of environment. I had a lot of fun my first year without being in a sorority and I decided that I could continue to live like that for the rest of my college career."

Freshman Sarah Chamberlain also decided to remain independent.

Unlike Walker, she did not enter the rush process. "It was a last minute decision," Chamberlain said. "I met an incredible young woman during Winter Term who was a former Delta Zeta, and she was obviously still struggling with the events of last year. I came to my senses and realized I couldn't support the system by pledging."

Although greek life opens doors to new opportunities, most independent women find that the freedom associated with remaining independent is advantageous.

"I am free to be my own person without a social stigma because of the letters on my chest," Betsch said. "I've been able to live with a variety of people over my four years at DePauw and was never forced to live anywhere I didn't want."

Sophomore independent Kasey Aderhold said that having choices was important to her.

"I'm able to choose who and what I want to support," Aderhold said. "I don't have a house telling me that I care about this philanthropy or this group of people."

Sophomore independent Lindi Conover said that money can be an issue for those wishing to join a house.

"There is a huge economic burden placed on a student who goes greek," she said. "Maybe you can't afford it, thus illustrating publicly your financial class."

Despite the enthusiasm and perceived advantages, independent women are faced with enormous disadvantages. Conover said that the being greek opens the doors for networking opportunities, something that independent students are not able to take advantage of.

However, the foremost problem with independent life on campus is the lack of monetary funds. Greek members, through house dues and graduate donations, are able to pay the entry fees into philanthropic events, throw parties and participate in events such as Little 5, which can cost thousands of dollars to compete in. Conover believes that greek members take these things for granted. "I feel that independents are slightly devalued and are exempt from things like IM sports and philanthropies."

Betsch agreed, adding, "Organizers of campus events often promote them by getting in touch with greek organizations, so I feel as though independents don't hear about a lot of the events and opportunities on campus, and therefore, aren't able to participate."

DePauw Administration Offers Support

Last year, for the first time ever, a group of independent women were able to participate in Little 5. With funding from the University, the women were able to purchase new bicycles, uniforms and equipment. It was a uniting effort for independents on campus. The stands were awash with students wearing matching blue T-shirts in support of the team. The results have inspired a new wave of independent women to train and participate in this year's race.

In addition to financial support, the school recently has taken other steps in reaching out to the independent community. Last Wednesday, Julia Arnold, Director of Housing, announced that she is now the liaison for independent students on campus. In an e-mail to 635 independent students, Arnold wrote that, "One of my goals in this new role is to provide an avenue for communication about leadership opportunities, events on campus and in the Greencastle community and about general University news and updates."

Arnold said that the school realized the need for a helping hand for all independent students.

"Because DePauw has a large greek population, they feel very segregated from the rest of campus," Arnold said. "They feel like numbers in a system, and because they are not united under a common identity, such as a house, they don't know each other, which makes it hard for them to organize as a group."

Girls Independent

Shortly after rush ended last year, two freshmen, Annie Tierney and Nicole Craker, decided a group was needed to connect independent females on campus. Now entering its second year of existence, Girls Independent has grown to over 40 members.

Craker said that Girls Independent has already begun to work with Arnold to help promote the independent cause.

"The goal of the organization is to unite independent women," Craker said, "For them to come together and participate in activities such as Little 5, Relay for Life and other philanthropic causes."

The group meets Mondays at 5 p.m. in Hub, and Tierney said that all interested individuals are invited to attend. "The group doesn't discriminate against anyone," Tierney said. "We're looking to make a positive change on campus, and since there are no time commitments, everyone can participate as they have time to do so."

Many independent women stated that the group is good for campus. Arnold believes that although there was once a stigma against independents, the campus climate is changing.

"The independent women on this campus really feel like there is a change happening," Arnold said. "They are becoming more visible all-around campus and groups like Girls Independent are helping that along."

Tierney believes that Girls Independent has helped to reduce the negative image of independents.

"There used to be a stigma," Tierney said, "but lately we've gotten a lot of respect and it's no longer 'uncool' to be an independent."

Aderhold believes that the group is a "wonderful idea, to have a support system for girls who decide to go independent." She believes that having a group of girls who share a similar experience is important, but has concerns as well. "Many people have expressed apprehension that Girls Independent is in fact becoming another sorority, which I believe would defeat the whole purpose that the organization was created for in the first place."

Betsch said that although she believes the group's goal is a positive one, she has chosen not to join. "I think it is great for people who need a social network, but myself and many other independents chose not to be a part because we already have a group of independent friends who cook together, go shopping, go to the movies and so on."

Tierney said that the group's goals extend beyond independent women.

"We want to promote campus unity," Tierney said. "We want everyone to work together to promote positive changes on campus, which is something that needs to happen."

Working with Arnold, Girls Independent is taking steps towards that goal. On April 25, at the Walden Inn, they will sponsor a campus-wide formal, where each member of the student body, greek-affiliated or not, can participate.

"It's going to be a suitcase formal," Tierney said. "You and your date will bring an overnight bag, and when you enter you will place you name in a drawing. At the end of the night, one person will be selected and immediately whisked away in a limo to Indianapolis, where you will stay in a nice hotel and receive dinner accommodations. It's meant to be an event where everyone can go and everyone can be friends and have fun together."

Craker stressed that Girls Independent is an open organization.

"We are in no way against the greek system, and we would love to work with the greek houses on campus."

Craker and Tierney are excited at the prospects for future independent women, as well as the DePauw campus.

"I think that the more the two groups of students work together, the more the stigma of independents will decrease, and the more united our campus will become."

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