Let's examine it: what contributions do sororities make to campus life? What benefits can a girl expect if she goes through recruitment and is fortunate enough to receive a bid from her preferred sorority? Previous columnists have already discussed the friendships with girls of all ages, charity work, leadership opportunities and social outlets that sorority life provides. Part of the bonding process, however, demands a certain level of homogenization; we all get socialized to our group of friends. In a sorority, the shaping takes place in an institutionalized way. And that's part of the point.

The development of a group mentality not only promotes and creates bonds, but also allows individuals to delegate responsibilities to a larger body of people. A girl by herself, or with a few friends, is less likely to engage in the extreme behaviors of Pledge Night. What would be the point? Under the guise of initiation, however, and with that group mentality, her inhibitions are lowered and she behaves in ways she might not otherwise. Of course there's no compulsion or force used by the sorority, but does there need to be when nearly everyone else is doing it? In this subtle way sororities do facilitate behavior that most feminists would take issue with.

While I think the reasons for this should be pretty clear, I'll just quickly say that girls stumbling around drunk, being led by their big sister to the next frat party where they'll make out with more guys whom they may or may not remember kissing later is not an example of women "using their assets to exert power." Guys are never taught to use sex or sex appeal in the way that women are; whatever else it is, sex is not an exertion of power or a manipulative tool of either sex. Yeah, many girls are comfortable hooking up randomly, and do it often. But women who are confident in that way and do so whenever they like probably don't get as excited about Pledge Night. Why would they?

Aside from this, the point I find most important in regard to Greek life and its prevalence on campus is that of the homogeneity. We have many sororities here on campus, but how different are they all really? Why do we have so few sororities here with a significant minority representation? The fact is 50 percent of women at Wake Forest are in a sorority, and a much larger percentage frequent fraternity parties. That makes Greek life the most frequently utilized social outlet on campus.

Similarly, even after the "What Is Feminism?" seminar, people seem to have a narrow, homogenized view of feminists and feminism. Jamie Kidd offers us two versions: the militant feminazi, or the vegan earth mama. Jenny Billing feels the need to qualify her statement of basic feminist principles with the addition "now, please don't think of me as some, feminazi, man-hating lesbian." I'm not faulting either of these women in the least; I just think there needs to be more education for college women about feminism and about social options in general.

I, for example, have decided that I can eat meat, listen to hip-hop and wear sparkly eyeliner without compromising any feminist ideal I hold. If there's room for me under the umbrella of feminism, there's certainly room for everyone else, stereotypes aside.

Similarly, I have chosen to remain independent, having considered going through recruitment both my first and second year. I thought about it and decided it just wasn't for me, feminist issues aside. The problem comes for those who decide that what they see out there isn't for them. When there appear to be only a few choices, what does one do if none of them are appealing? In the same way that women need to understand the breadth and diversity of feminism so that they might feel comfortable identifying themselves as feminists, there need to be more options for women who want to involve themselves in some social organization but are not drawn to Greek life as it exists now on campus.

For this reason, I was happy to hear rumors that Panhellenic may bring new sororities to campus and is looking for ones with a tradition of racial diversity. Recently, there have also been campus-wide discussions about ways to expand college social life beyond its typical Greek parameters. Continued discourse on this subject can only lead to an improved social situation for all students, Greek and independent.

Women need to think about why they're doing what they're doing. The key is consciousness. If you ponder the options and decide you want to join a sorority, go for it wholeheartedly. And if on Pledge Night you decide you're really in the mood to kiss some boys, okay then. Just be able to articulate why you've made the decisions you have, whether it's in regards to Greek life, feminism or anything else, without becoming defensive or vague or false. Not only will you be able to explain yourself, but I really think you'll be happier about the decisions you make by grace of the thought you put into them.