theta phi alpha | Campus Couture

The members of Alpha Sigma Alpha wearing their chapter letters

Walking around campus, it’s common to notice people wearing shirts, hoodies, and accessories with Greek letters on them. These students are members of Greek organizations on campus. Many students who are not a part of Greek organizations do not always understand what these letters mean, or have stereotypical thoughts when they see students wearing letters.

“When I see a guy on campus wearing Greek letters, my first thought is “frat.” My second thought is he’s not attentive in school,” said Zach Forlano. “When I see girls wearing Greek letters, I often think they are fake, stuck up, popular, and social. It’s the stereotype, and it’s what I always assumed they were like.”

Unfortunately, sometimes wearing Greek letters on campus will give other students the wrong idea. Members of Greek organizations don’t let that get to them, though.

“I love wearing my letters on campus. They’re a reminder to myself and everybody around me that I’m apart of a great organization of sisters,” said Cait Stulpin. “I know there are stereotypical thoughts about Greek life. I like being able to prove the stereotypes wrong while wearing my letters. It shows people that just because I’m in a sorority doesn’t mean I don’t care about my school work, or all I do is party.”

Many members of sororities and fraternities believe their letters represent more than just the organization they are in.

“It doesn’t matter what letters you are wearing. What matters is the fact that you are wearing letters, and these letters represent something bigger than just the organization you are in,” said Michele Marandola of Alpha Sigma Alpha. “We are one big community, and we all work together to help represent Greek life in general while wearing our letters. We do service events, we go to study hours, and we try our best to prove the stereotypes wrong.”

It’s difficult to walk around campus without running into at least one member of Greek life. Many students who are not a part of Greek life do not always know what the letters mean, or what the letters even are. I’ve personally had many of my non-Greek life friends ask me what letters on shirts mean. I love being able to explain what letters are what, but I also love being able to explain what the letters represent.

Greek life letters are bigger than just Rowan’s campus. Many members of Greek life have had experiences at work or on the boardwalk or at stores where different people have asked about their letters they were wearing. People who are not a part of Greek life ask what the letters mean, while people who are a part of Greek life start conversations about what organization they are from. Sometimes students will run into members of the same organization, only from different universities.

Being able to wear the Greek letters is a privilege, and an honor, especially when members of the Greek organizations are able to prove the stereotypes wrong.