Temi Omojola never really saw himself as the fraternity type. But as he watched hordes of freshmen guys flood out of the Quad gates and into the world of parties, brotherhood, beer and sorority mixers, he figured he might as well go along for the ride. A week-and-a-half's worth of free dinners and three post-midnight police-busts later, he was positive Greek life was not for him. "I met a bunch of cool kids, but it's not for me, so I just stopped," Omojola says, confessing that he, his roommate and one other friend followed the Greek Lady around for several days in a row, only frequenting houses featuring her trademark meatball subs. • A Wharton freshman originally from Nigeria, Omojola has always been hardworking and laid-back. He's the kind of guy who bundles up for the cold in a wool Penn-colored ski hat and then sits and waits outside in the frigid winter wind, not uttering a word of complaint. While he has been relatively sure for quite some time that he is not the kind of guy who would join a fraternity, he also is the type of person who likes to try things out before passing judgment. So try it he did. As hundreds of freshman males ventured from house to house in search of their future brothers, Omojola and company joined them but with a different primary goal in mind -- they were searching for the perfect meal. "I don't remember half of the names of the places I went to because, pretty much, I just ranked them by food and just went," he says, explaining that he used the cards pushed under the door of his room in the Quad to figure out which house would be offering the most delectable options. His roommate, College freshman Danny Farkas, also skeptical of fraternities from the get-go, was more than happy to join Omojola in his culinary quest. "We were pretty much on the same page the entire time," Farkas says of their adventures in rush-land, but he admits that they did not get along perfectly throughout the week that both of them were rushing. "There was one night where we couldn't find anywhere to go, and we were cranky because we were hungry," Farkas says, adding that he wanted nothing more than to stop in at a nearby restaurant instead of walking several blocks for a free meal. Still, they enjoyed themselves most of the time, had fun meeting new people and eventually found what they were really looking for -- hearty, not to mention free, meals. Omojola was especially proud of choosing a house that was serving Abner's cheesesteaks. "That was pretty solid," Omojola boasts, his smile becoming especially pronounced. But in the end, it was not only the food that made the experience a memorable one. Farkas says one of the best parts of rush, other than "not having to go to the dining hall," was a trip to New Jersey to play laser tag. "I had a great time," he says, as protective Omojola warns him in the background not to be too specific when talking to reporters. "I love laser tag." While Omojola says he only knew two or three freshmen who were not rushing, both he and Farkas stress that even though they had a lot of fun during the process, they are not concerned about missing out on the fraternity scene. Not surprisingly then, neither decided to follow through with pledging. In fact, Farkas says that he has a personal rule that would make him incompatible with fraternity life. "It's a one-frat-party-a-week limit or else I just get sick of them," he says, adding that considering he did not particularly enjoy "crammed" fraternity parties, he probably would not enjoy being a brother in one of them. "I'm not really one to mind staying in sometimes." Even Omojola, who seems to enjoy fraternity parties just a tad bit more than Farkas, still does not put them at the top of his list of favorite ways to pass the night. "As cool as frat parties are, I can always find better stuff to do," Omojola says, explaining that when he is in the right mood, he simply enjoys "chilling" in other people's rooms or taking part in some of the opportunities Penn and Philadelphia have to offer. "It's a great thing that you can always find things you want to do." Especially because he has another source of fraternal bonding right here at Penn -- an actual older brother Ayo, a Wharton junior -- Omojola says he does not need a fraternity to fill the void. Plus, since Omojola and Farkas both decided not to pledge, they will be able to fill their frat-free time hanging out together and with their hallmates. "I think I've met enough people and made enough friends, that I'll be OK," Omojola says, adding that his brother also chose not to join a fraternity and "did fine." Pledging "only lasts so long and I guess that just gives me more time for other stuff," he says. "I'm just trying to stay buckled down, get some work done." With a heavy course load, including Statistics 101, OPIM (Operations and Information Management), Macroeconomics, a writing class about memory and French 140, Omojola is sure he will be busy. A serious student who plans to take five classes every semester because he figures, "while I'm here, I might as well do work," Omojola even found that "your work starts suffering" after spending too many weeknights at rush events -- even if all you're doing is eating. He adds that while he has always been a diligent student, his work at Penn is very time-consuming compared to what he was used to in high school, during which he could go out after doing his schoolwork without worrying about it. "I expected a lot of work, but it's a whole different type of work," he says, frustration tainting his smooth, calm voice for the first time during this conversation. At Penn, "it is more of a continuous effort. You realize it's really hard to ever be done." Only two weeks into the semester, he has already had to stay up well into the night to finish an assignment for his writing class. On top of hitting the books, Omojola hopes to find time to work out at the gym, though he's already in good shape from playing rugby last semester. He is also planning on earning some extra cash by becoming everyone's worst enemy -- the telemarketer who interrupts dinner. "I'm probably going to work 10 hours a week," he says of his job at the PennFund, where he will be making calls to alumni, asking them to donate money and reminding them about upcoming reunions. "I never liked telemarketers, but it pays well and there's reason behind it," Omojola says, seeming sincere in his conviction that his work will be meaningful to dear old Penn. "You're also reminding them about alumni events and stuff like that. I think because they're Penn grads, they shouldn't be too mad." Not that Omojola would take too lightly to having his own dinner interrupted. After all, foodcart cook-offs and pizza and wings were what drew him to rush in the first place. Now that it's over, he still has good meals to look forward to -- only this time, he'll have to pay for them himself.
About this Series Each year, a new set of freshmen enters the University full of energy, enthusiasm -- and nerves. Ready to meet new people and experience new things, these college novices are embarking on a life-altering course. And this year, The Daily Pennsylvanian decided to follow three freshmen along for the ride. You will meet Justine Mumaw, Temi Omojola and Andrew Tejerina and experience alongside them the joys -- and pains -- of first-year college life, through articles appearing intermittently in the DP. As you read, please share your freshman experiences with us at the dailypennsylvanian.com freshman forum.
