Growing a Greek life, at UAA

What springs to mind when you hear the words "Greek life?" Alcohol-drenched toga parties, mysterious initiation rituals and packs of frat boys and sorority girls sporting letters resembling mathematical symbols are just a few images that abound in the media and in movies like 1978's infamous comedy, "Animal House."

Here at UAA, however, members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternities and the Sigma Sigma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Alpha sororities are individuals with diverse lives and experiences-more concerned with nestling into a network of friendships, achieving their education, helping the Anchorage community and, despite the lack of a "Greek row" of sorority and fraternity houses, growing camaraderie and a campus "feel" at a place often described as a commuter university.

"I chose to go to Alaska because it's cold and dark, so I'd stay indoors and go to class and do my work," said John Beissmann, 23, a native of the Chicago area who works as a ramp agent for Delta Air Lines and is studying aviation administration and computer science. He joined UAA's fledgling TKE chapter because he thought its goals aligned well with his own. "It's about helping other people, making the world a better place. You pump your work out, get your grind in."

'Alaska sorority girls were different'

Ashley Roylance grew up living la vida Alaska, her days filled with fishing, camping and four-wheeling.

She loved her home state and didn't want to leave it to go to college.

"I came in with the mindset that UAA isn't a traditional campus, it has a lot of commuter students and apparently had a 'terrible' campus life," said Ashley, who hasn't declared a major and works at the College of Business and Public Policy as a student worker. "Since I knew nothing about anything, I went to my freshman year UAA Campus Kick-Off with an open mind."

That's where Ashley happened upon booths promoting sororities and fraternities.

"I was confused because I didn't know UAA even had a Greek life," she said.

Ashley talked to the women at the booths, saw fliers around campus and then decided to attend a recruitment event.

"I was a little skeptical because I didn't see myself as a 'sorority girl,' but quickly realized that Alaska sorority girls were different."

Ashley felt a connection with women in the Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority and soon received a bid to join. She says the sorority has enabled her to grow leadership skills, participate in events like UAA's recent Spirit Run and engage with the community through volunteer opportunities.

"I jumped in head-first and just enjoyed being part of something," she said.

'They've been my shoulder to cry on'

Carson Nelson describes herself as a "military brat," whose family moved frequently throughout her childhood.

"I never really made any friends," she said. "We weren't anywhere any longer than three years, so I never got close with anyone because I knew I would have to leave."

Finally, Carson's family stopped moving and settled in Alaska permanently when she was 8. Carson felt hesitant, but then reached out and grew a few deep friendships.

"For some, college is all about going on adventures, getting away, seeing another place, but for me, college was about staying home because I finally had a home to stay," she said. "I enrolled in UAA because I didn't have to move and could stay close to my family and what I know."

Carson didn't start college until a year after all of her high school classmates had. By then, they were either in the military or off somewhere in college leading separate lives. When she came to UAA, Carson didn't really have any friends and decided to get involved in a club.

"I never would have dreamed that I would have joined a sorority," she said, "but when I saw a table during the spring student involvement fair, I asked myself, why not? I have a lot to offer and should step outside my comfort zone. I quickly found sorority life was everything I wanted all bundled up in one package-a family, a support system and a way to get involved [in philanthropy] on campus and in my community."

Members of Sigma Sigma Sigma pursue a variety of interests-for example, Sigma Sigma Sigma member Alejandra Buitrago is a former student body president, runs the campus radio station and will soon move to Burkina Faso for a two-year stint in the Peace Corps. Another member, Amie Stanley, has served as student body vice president and helps coach members of Seawolf Debate. Carson says her sorority sisters don't try to mold her into any kind of preconceived image.

"I am very tomboyish and they have accepted that," she said. "They have just been there to guide and support me through my life decisions and realizations of who I am. They've been my shoulder to cry on, my study buddies, my mentors and my family, and that's why I stick around."

There are other women out there, Carson said, who might feel as lost as she once did on campus.

"I hope to ... show them they can find something genuine in a sorority as well as work toward discovering who they are as a person," she said.

Positioning yourself for the future

Shayla Silva first arrived at UAA two years ago and befriended some women who belonged to Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority.

"As our friendship grew, I started getting more interested in Greek life and what kinds of opportunities it offered," said Silva, who is studying global logistics and supply-chain management and recently completed a summer internship with ConocoPhillips. "It is a culture of tradition, gives social acceptance without bias and you build unconditional friendships you don't find in everyday networks. It's also an opportunity to build yourself professionally by networking with other chapters around the country."

Shayla's enjoyed working with Covenant House, Special Olympics and raising funds for the S. June Smith Center, and says Alpha Sigs volunteer for different galas and charity balls throughout the year and for Food Bank. She attended District Day, a weekend leadership conference held in Milwaukee, Wis., which Alpha Sig chapters from around the country joined to hear speakers and participate in workshops.

"Yes, bigger universities have more of a social scene, but here at UAA it's a family, culture and tradition that's been passed down through the years," she said. "Hopefully we can leave a legacy for the future of Alpha Sigma Alpha."

Exploring options

Ricky Tilson, president of UAA's chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, traveled to Alaska from Falls Church, Va., transferring here from a community college to study social work and criminal justice.

"Me and my fiancée and two friends decided to move to Alaska just for an adventure," he said. "I had never been off the East Coast and wanted to explore."

Ricky first learned about Sigma Alpha Epsilon from its page on UAA's website and decided to meet some of its members and attend recruitment events.

"I knew that the people in the fraternity can make or break your experience," he said. "After hanging out with the brothers multiple times, I realized I really got along with them and decided I would like to join. Being a transfer student, SAE really helped me make new friends and helped me get involved on campus."

Ricky says a fraternity isn't for everyone.

"When guys who are interested in joining ask why they should join, I don't tell them they should," he said. "I tell them they should come to events and get to know the brothers and see how they get along with the group. To get the most out of a fraternity, you need to feel a brotherhood with the other members. These will be guys you spend a lot of time with and will make lifelong friendships with. If you don't feel like that, you won't get the most you could out of your fraternity and college experience."

Getting your ticket

TKE's John Beissmann says that feeling of brotherhood and high expectations convinced him he had found his home away from home. He says UAA chapter members must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and, if they don't, attend mandatory twice-a-week study sessions. Hazing is forbidden. And, being older than the so-called 18-to-22-year-old "traditional" student isn't a barrier to joining a fraternity-John is 23 years old and says the TKE chapter president is 28.

"We all try to keep each other motivated," he said. "Right now, I'm pretty much just doing my homework. I'm not about partying-education is strictly for those who want to work for it. "

Want to learn more about joining a Greek organization? Contact Cody Buechner, leadership coordinator for student clubs and Greek life, at (907) 786-1217 or email cmbuechner@uaa.alaska.edu. Panhellenic sorority recruitment is underway at UAA until Sept. 19. 

Written by Tracy Kalytiak, UAA Office of University Advancement