ePortfolio

Time Management within Sororities

Proposed Workable Solutions

Introduction

            My proposed solution for my research question, “Are sororities too time consuming and demanding for college students to succeed in the classroom?” is to provide students with a better understanding of what it means to be in a sorority during and before the recruitment process. The majority of students/members know how to manage their time well and be successful in both their academics and sorority. Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of members that have struggled in the past and continue to struggle with time management today. Although sororities make it easy to stay on track and provide help and study groups, more can be done to solve this problem. To help reduce this ongoing issue and raise awareness in the UCF community, my solution is to provide girls who sign up for recruitment with an insight of exactly what is needed of them during and after recruitment, provide them with how a sorority works, and what each member must do to remain in that sorority. With this detailed itinerary/how things work packet new members will be able to stay organized and have a full understanding of the demands asked of them in a sorority. This will also help limit the amount of stress and confusion created when trying to accomplish both academic and sorority goals.  My audience for this solution will be new members, members, alumnae, and college students interested in Greek Life.

Literature Review

Introduction   

         Kappa Delta is a sorority at several universities such as UCF, where the members make great things happen in women's lives, on campus and in communities across the country.  Being a fulltime member of Kappa Delta requires an efficient amount of time and effort and there are many obstacles that Sororities may be faced with and must overcome such as; balancing academics with sorority demands. This is where I would like to begin my research to fully answer this question, “Are sororities too time consuming and demanding for college students to succeed in the classroom?” To answer this problem I conducted research, fieldwork, and helpful strategies. 

Time Spent on Greek Life and School Work

                 Being in a sorority takes a lot of time and effort, not to mention all the other responsibilities of being an active college student! Is it possible to be a full time member, maintain your GPA, have outside interests, attend mandatory events, and a dozen other responsibilities? According to the sorority of Kappa Phi Gamma at Austin, Texas it is obtainable, “Being a sorority member is a time commitment, but one of the core values of sororities is academic excellence and time management. Each chapter/colony maintains a certain grade point average that members must maintain during their college experience” (Kappa Phi Gamma). In most sororities, academic achievement always comes first. Kappa Delta at UCF provides members with the opportunity to opt out of certain mandatory events and use that time to get back on track with their academics. Parallel to Kappa Phi Gamma, using expert time management skills keeps members on track and helps students stay successful each semester. For example, “Members who struggle or fall below the required grade point average often are offered additional study programs to improve academic performance. In this way, chapter members encourage one another to be the best students they can be” (National Panhellenic Conference Inc). According to Garcia, Justin, Greek organizations have higher graduation rates than non-Greeks; 71 percent of fraternity and sorority members graduate college, while only 50 percent of non-members graduate. This provides proof of how the majority of sororities do succeed in college while taking part of Greek organizations.

               In confirmation of the NPC, Sororities not only help students gain confidence, but ease the transition of high school to college. In college the work load is a much heavier amount, more preparation outside of class is needed, and more time is required for studying.  Many students find the transition to be difficult, but agree that sororities help greatly; “Sororities have proven to impact the first year’s student’s intent to return immensely to the University the Following Year” (Benefits of Greek Life). Along with this statement, Lorena Zamarripa includes how it is possible to manage your time successfully in college and continue to obtain a high GPA, “The participants in this study were given the experience of being in a sorority and then asked if they would rejoin. The participants said that they would definitely join again because the sorority had made them who they are now and they had learned skills that they can use in the long run.” (Sorority Life). Sorority members are given the opportunity to grow and provided with more resources and study groups. “Workshops were scheduled with University resources such as the Career Center to provide resume workshops and study abroad forums. By providing these resource directly to my chapter, sisters had the opportunity to seek information about academic options with ease and more individualized attention” (Lucy DeLisa). These workshops give sisters several more ways to stay focused and complete their work in a timely matter. “Academic fraternities and sororities base their membership around specific majors or areas of study, or they may require members to have achieved academic honors or a high grade point average” (García, Justin D). Sorority ladies consider scholastics important, and all National Panhellenic Conference part gatherings anticipate that each lady will endeavor to satisfy her scholarly potential. Numerous parts oblige individuals to keep up a base GPA with a specific end goal to partake in social occasions or hold office (National Panhellenic Conference Inc).        

Other Theories

            On the other hand, other research demonstrates the opposite, proving that sororities do negatively affect student’s academics. Since many students are not prepared for the high demands and obligations that come with Greek life, grades may progressively drop. Becoming acquainted with college life is difficult and can be overwhelming for freshman. Incoming students must familiarize themselves with the campus, find their classes and learn how to study for their tests. Adding Greek life to the To-Do list creates unnecessary stress and demands. Shirley Zachary details the intensity of organizational involvement between Greeks and Non Greeks, this investigation revealed that out of eight perceptions about Greek life, four of those perceptions; lack of values, lack of diversity, poor academic attitudes, and time commitment were cited as significant perceptions that may have influenced students to remain unaffiliated with a fraternity or sorority at this particular campus.  In contrast to the research of Kappa Phi Gamma, sisters are expected to attend relevant functions like Greek Week events and pledging activities, which runs the risk of overshadowing their academic life. When first joining a sorority, new members may not be aware of how high the demand is to become part of a sisterhood. This can lead to members focusing their time mainly on Sorority obligations over academic needs. Late night meetings, socials, and events may lead to a student’s loss of sleep. College students have early classes regularly and missing a class or two could hurt their grade.  “Students who spent more time studying with peers showed diminishing growth and students who spent more time in the Greek system had decreased rates of learning, while activities such as working off campus, participating in campus clubs and volunteering did not impact learning” (College Students Not Learning Much).

In an agreement with the Richard Arum in the “College Students Not Learning Much” study, a decrease in GPA’s among sororities is common and due to several factors that come along with being a sister. Some of the Greek organizations require study tables in order to help keep their members' grade point averages up, but the study also found that students perform their best when they study on their own. Social engagement by and large does not help understudy execution (College Students Not Learning Much). This could be problematic when living in a loud house with so many other people.  Many people would assume that spending your time in any extracurricular would have the same negative effect on academics that joining a sorority would, but the study found that students that joined on-campus clubs, volunteered or had a job did not have the same decreases in learning as students that joined Greek organization.

            Here’s what we know about time management within Sororities: there are several demands and obligations that must be completed to fulfill the position of a full time member. What we don’t know is how much is demanded from each member and how the demands differ in each sorority.  UCF sororities are given a manageable amount of task/events they must go to and complete. UCF sororities also provide study groups and are understanding when it comes to missing an event due to academics. Other sororities use similar methods, but may not have the same results. What we don’t know is whether or not other sororities besides UCF sororities have high GPA’s and are successful in academics.  Not all sororities consider education and academics as important as Kappa Delta at UCF does. Kappa Delta works with the girls and requires a high level GPA to remain a member. What we should consider is why other sororities put more emphasis on events and socials and less emphasis on the importance of academics. With an appropriate balance of sorority demands there can be academic achievement.

Conclusion

         All in all, Kappa Delta members share similar values and goals that functionally unify the group. To continue and grow as a sorority, the sisters are expected and required to provide service to maintain their membership. Many students have trouble with balancing the expectations from both Greek life and the university, but through my research I have found that it is possible to succeed. Kappa Delta at UCF provides members with the opportunity to opt out of certain mandatory events and use that time to get back on track with their academics. The GPA’s of this sorority proves how their method of time management truly helps sisters succeed in both college and sorority. This study does show how sororities at the University of Central Florida succeeds, but falls short on proving if other sororities in the nation are conducting or benefiting from this method. Now that we have the proof of academic success at UCF sororities, my next step is to conduct the research on whether or not other colleges’ sororities are successful. Other sororities at different schools may not give their members the option to skip mandatory events or socials due to homework or academic stress. If this is the case, how do students find the time to be a successful member and maintain a high GPA?  They may make academic achievement an important characteristic to maintain, but if the pressure of attending every event, participating in sisterhood events, and completing the mandatory tasks becomes too overwhelming their academics may suffer. To resolve this discussion of whether sororities are too time consuming and demanding, the research of conducting fieldwork on sororities around the nation will provide a more universal result.  

Research Method and Results

            To gather my research I used two primary research methods; conducting interviews and asking a survey question. My approach for the interview and survey involved simple questions that would help demonstrate how time consuming a sorority may be. The sorority Pi Beta Phi from UCF completed my set of interview and survey questions; these questions and answers can be found at the end of the essay in Appendix I and Appendix II. I selected these methods as my primary research because the results show how Pi Beta Phi’s members manage and balance their academic and sorority schedules.  I chose this sorority because they share similar qualities and values as Kappa Delta, but I was unaware of how they managed their time in and out of the sorority. With the insight of this sorority I gained a better understanding and significant information that helped prove and answer my research question.

            After conducting the survey and interviewing the vice president and a new member of Pi Beta Phi, I gathered my results and concluded that sororities are not too time consuming and demanding for college students at UCF to succeed in the classroom. SurveyMonkey.com helped me create surveys and charts that helped measure and demonstrate these results. The survey asked every member of Pi Beta Phi the research question and only 3% said they had trouble with time mangement. These 3% also stated that their majors were very intense and they had decided to take more than the necessary four courses for the semester. Pi Beta Phi has a minimal amount of girls who have low GPA’s or need extra help.  Similar to Kappa Delta at UCF, Pi Beta Phi’s members strive in class as well as maintaining a helping hand for the community. Both of these sororities prove that stereotypes of sororities are wrong and provide a positive view on Greek Life. Although many new members continue to accomplish and strive in both academics and sororities, students who are not Greek affiliated continue to think sororities are too time consuming.  My research results can be seen in the graph under Appendix III.

Proposed Solution

            To reduce negative perceptions of Greek Life that have influenced students to remain unaffiliated with a fraternity or sorority at this particular campus, I will provide girls who sign up for recruitment with a detailed itinerary/how things work packet. The goal will be to give the girls an insight of exactly what is needed of them during and after recruitment. The packet will also provide them with how a sorority works. Although there are many websites that define what a sorority is, minor details are left out. For example, knowing what each member must do to remain in that sorority can range from each chapter. With this detailed itinerary/how things work packet new members will be able to stay organized and have a full understanding of the demands asked of them in a sorority. This will also help limit the amount of stress and confusion created when trying to accomplish both academic and sorority goals when first becoming initiated.

 Some girls go into the recruitment process believing that a sorority is just to meet friends and have fun, which is true, but there are several other aspects that need to be understood and evaluated. Including a list of the mandatory events or meetings would be provided in this packet to make the girls aware of some of the demands that come along with being a sister. A calendar with all of the socials and activities will be attached to show how often members need to support and honor their sorority. Many members pay for sororities themselves, being a full time student, sorority member, and having a job may be too time consuming for some members. To help plan out each payment for members, the price for living in the house, meal plan, and other sorority dues will be scheduled in the packet. Knowing all of these factors in advance will help students decide if they think they can handle taking part in this organization and managing their academics.

Opposing Views

            Students who are not Greek affiliated might oppose the solution of the itinerary/how things work packet. These students may have no interest in Greek life and wouldn’t have the desire to fully understand what joining a sorority means. Also, students who have no interest in joining Greek life would never read about sororities and in result, believe that they couldn’t successfully manage or balance their time. Even with the packet, some members of UCF could continue to assume that sororities are too time consuming and demanding to be successful in their academics.  An alternate way to solve this problem could be to send emails to every incoming freshman at UCF. These emails would inform students of what sororities at the university have done in the past and provide a phone number that would help them learn even more about UCF’s Greek life. Incoming freshman may have never thought about sororities or fraternities; with the help of emails, students will be notified and aware of what Greek Life offers.

Justification

            This solution should be implemented because it is feasible to raise the awareness of the positive opportunities that Greek life can provide to UCF students. This solution addresses a serious problem, without Greek Life there are less academic boosts, leadership opportunities, business connections, philanthropic interests, and social skills for students. A Greek house is full of instant study buddies and exam cram support. For many students, philanthropic work provides an important balance in a life filled with academic stress. It can also be the start of a lifelong interest in a specific cause, such as programs for abused children or children with autism. Getting students to understand that Greek life is not too time consuming and demanding is important in maintaining these opportunities.

            This proposal will solve the problem significantly by providing new members all the information in advance. This is the best solution for helping students decide if they think they can handle taking part in this organization and managing their academics before they become initiated. Knowing what is required of them before joining will greatly help new members ease into college and the sorority. Endorsing this solution will not only benefit new members, but the sororities as well. Sororities won’t have to spend as much time teaching new members about their philanthropy, activies, or events. The itinerary/how things work packet will completely help students bypass the confusion and surprise of what a sorority asks of and demands.

Conclusion

            Why do students at UCF continue to believe that Greek life is too time consuming and demanding for college students to succeed in the classroom? One can help, so get involved with this solution. Informing incoming freshman about the many opportunities that come along with joining Greek life will greatly impact how students perceive sororities and fraternities. Many members of the university assume that maintaining and balancing their academics with Greek life is too difficult and not worth it. Without trying to spread the word about how sororities operate and what they do for the community, students may never even consider Greek life. With my proposed solution, the itinerary/how things work packet, students will be presented with a detailed insight on everything one must do in a sorority and become aware of what is expected of them. According to several studies and interviews it is clear that time management is possible. New and old members are more than capable of balancing their jobs, academics, and sorority life. Who wouldn’t want to prove stereotypes wrong and help promote an organization that provides students with learning opportunities, scholarships, and an academic support networking? Go Greek!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix I, III, III Field Investigations

Interviewing the Sorority: Pi Beta Phi at UCF

• How many events, socials, or any other task for the sorority does your sorority have?

  We have several different events for our chapter; such as philanthropy events, community events, Greek Week, and sisterhood events. Each semester we have approximately 5 socials. During the fall we have Semi Formal and in the spring we have Formal.

• How many of these tasks are mandatory?

  All of these task can be excused if a reasonable excuse is given. Sisterhood, community, and philanthropy events are more important to our chapter then socials.

• What is your sororities overall GPA?

  Our overall GPA is 3.2 and our new member GPA is 3.5.

• Is time management a problem for most of the girls in your sorority?

  Time management is not a common problem from most of the girls in our sorority. A few need extra help, but our sorority works with these girls to help them maintain a GPA high enough to remain in our sorority.

• How do sisters manage their school work with the sorority demands and obligations?

  Many girls keep agendas and bring them to every Chapter which is held on Sundays. At these meetings we discuss all upcoming events which keep girls updated and organized for each week. Managing school work is much easier when the girls know exactly what to expect each week from out sorority.

• Does your sorority offer any help for sisters in need of tutoring or study groups?

  Our sorority offers study groups, tutoring, and we have many text books and notes from older sisters available for members to use.

• Do many of your members have trouble with keeping good grades while going to most of the events?

  Our members do not find it difficult to keep good grades while going to most of the events because they only attend the ones they have time for.

• How often do you have a social or event?

  Our events or socials can be weekly.

• What is a valid excuse to miss or be excused from an event?

  Having a test to study for, work, illness, or another important reason.

• Are there any specific ways you stay on track of your academics and sorority? If so, describe them.

  Keeping an agenda has been helpful for many of the members, meeting up with people in their classes, creating a To Do list, and using time management.

• Do you think greek life is more demanding than any other club/sport?

  Greek Life in my opinion is a little less demanding because you choose to take part in each event or social. We have weekly meetings that are mandatory, but besides that nothing is really mandatory.

• Does being a member of sorority give you opportunities? If so, explain a few.

  Many opportunities are provided such as; jobs, internships, and networking.

• Would you recommend joining a sorority?

  Absolutely, it helps young women grow and prosper.

• How many hours a week do you have to accomplish class/school work?

  In school I spend a good bit of time studying, my major is Nursing and it can be demanding.

   

• How many hours a week do you have to accomplish any sorority demands/obligations?

  You have plenty of time to finish what is asked of your in sororities and each task is given in a timely matter.

 

Survey Question:

• Do you disagree or agree with the statement: Are sororities too time consuming and demanding for college students to succeed in the classroom? Agree 3% Disagree: 97%

 

 

           

Works Cited

 

"Benefits of Greek Life!" YouTube. YouTube. 16 April. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2015. <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZwMacI7s_Nk>.

 

DeLisa, Lucy. "Improving Academic Success Within My Sorority." Digication E-Portfolio. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.  <https://umich.digication.com/lucy_delisa/Example_of_Work_2.1>.

 

García, Justin D. "Greek Life." [MEG1] Salem Press Encyclopedia. 1 Sept. 2013. Web. 24 Mar. 2015.

 

"Kappa Phi Gamma Sorority, Inc." Frequently Asked Questions. Web. 24 Mar. 2015. <http://kappaphigamma.com/parents-page/frequently-asked-questions/>.

 

"NPC In The News." Sorority Life and Academics. 1 Oct. 2009. Web. 24 Mar. 2015. <http://thesororitylife.com/newsDetail.aspx?id=24>.

Shirley, Zachary. "Declining Participation in Fraternity and Sorority Life." (2014). University of North Texas. Web. 6 Apr. 2015.

 

"Study: College Students Not Learning Much." CBSNews. CBS Interactive. 18 Jan. 2011. Web. 24 Mar. 2015. <http://www.cbsnews.com/news/study-college-students-not-learning-much/>.

 

Zamarripa-Lovo, Lorena. "Sorority Life: Would You Do It All Over Again?" DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln. 1 Jan. 2012. Web. 6 Apr. 2015. <http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cehsedaddiss/91/>.