As sorority pledging wound down last week, many women found their wallets a good deal lighter than when it started.
Sorority sisters say there are many unexpected costs that arise from being a member of a sorority - costs that can get quite high.
Members of the Greek community are expected to pay their dues each semester, an activity fee to the University, extra expenses during the pledging period and the price of any chapter gear they purchase.
Dues range from $310 to $575 in the fall semester and $450 to $693 in the spring semester, according to the Panhellenic Recruitment 2008 Potential New Member Handbook.
Wharton sophomore and vice president of finance for Delta Delta Delta Brittany Jones explained in an e-mail that sorority dues go to both the chapter and the national organization to help cover the costs of social events, recruitment costs and housing expenses.
She added that the only cost that surprised her was the approximately $75 fee Penn charges to each students' bill for being in a sorority.
However, according to many members of the Greek community, the dues are not the biggest problem.
Some students point to "big/little" or "clue" week - the period of time during pledging when sorority women present their "little sisters" with gifts to help integrate them into the sorority - as a major source of spending.
"The most expensive week was big/little week, and I'll admit that at first I was kind of upset at how much it cost," said a College junior who wished to remain anonymous for fear of repercussions from her sorority. "But everything I bought or did was all my choice and all out of love for my little."
Wharton junior and president of Alpha Chi Omega Sara Clark explained that T-shirts and other sorority gear such as nalgenes, picture frames and the cost of big/little week aren't covered by the sorority. However, any such spending is "completely optional."
"Some people will make homemade gifts and bake cakes or get frat boys to serenade their littles; other people do more extravagant things, but no one is encouraged or made to feel that they have to spend the money," Jones wrote.
For those who pay dues with their own personal bank accounts, the chapter tries to work out a payment plan so that they don't have to pay all at once.
College junior and vice president of finance for Alpha Chi Omega Sara Harcharik explained that the members of the executive board meet with any girl who is concerned about costs and are very effective in creating flexible payment plans.
If people are unable to make payments for any reason, the national sorority offers scholarships that members can apply for, Jones wrote.
"A lot of girls have gotten financial aid [through national scholarships]," Clark said. "We've never had a problem of a girl who couldn't be involved because of costs."
