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u a fraternity or sorority find themselves making school. G ?•
TREVOR HAMMOND
For most students, starting college can be a time valuable connections and lifelong friendships as a Alpha Sigma Phi, Phi Delta Theta and Phi
of stress, excitement, or a crazy combination of result of going Greek. Kappa Sigma are the three nationally recognized
the two. You are exposed to s~ many new things' Fraternities with chapters at McDaniel. Alpha
at once; it isn't hard to get caught up in everything "It's like a party that lasts a Iifetime" said Gamma Tau, more commonly referred as
very quickly. Fortunately, you have at least four sophomore Erica Burzio, "the people you meet "Bachelors" is the only current local fraternity.
years to try everything that's offered at your from joining a Greek organization will always be
college .and even more fortunately, McDaniel around, even after college." For the ladies, Phi Mu, Phi Sigma Sigma, and
doesn't fall short with activities and organizations Burzio plans on pledging a sorority this fall. Alpha Sigma Tau are the three sororities that are
- from Cheese Club to T.V Club to everything in nationally recognized as well as Phi Alpha Mu,
between - there are many options offered to boost But it's not all about socializing. which is the only current local sorority.
your college experience. All over McDaniel's campus, different fraternities
and sororities get their members involved with For those who are more inclined to give back
Another option for students looking to get giving back to both the campus and the town of to the community, McDaniel also offers ,two
involved would be to consider looking into joining Westminster through service projects and hosting nationally recognized Greek Organizations
a fraternity or sorority, events on campus for others. that are solely dedicated to community service,
Sophomore Emily Ridgely, who pledged Phi Mu both of which are co-ed. Alpha Phi Omega and
Many people frown on Greek organizations last spring, said she "wanted to be more involved Gamma Sigma Sigma are alternatives to the social
because' of the negative image they've received .on campus while still keeping a solid base to return organizations on campus, yet still provide that
to-at the end of the day." The community service sense of community.
from popular culture. Countless movies and TV , was also a huge draw for her. "The experiences you Obviously, not everyone that comes through
shows have featured rowdy young college students have will stay with you for a lifetime" said Ridgely. McDaniel will be interested in going Greek. But
wreaking havoc and getting drunk every 'day, not There are multiple motives for people to go for those who are, there are different times to get
to mention the sq-called "hazing" of pledges. Greek. Sophomore Ryan Staley said he joined a involved and Pledge both in the fall and the spring.
What most people don't realize is that there are far fraternity because he wanted to "retain the feeling Spring is traditionally the more common time to
more benefits that come from joining a fraternity of being on a team in college", because he was pledge; partially because' freshman students aren't _
or sorority then not. Students who pledge to either "'I
.. ---------heavily involved, in sports all throughout high allowed tountil they've completed their first semester.
What to expect from your RA I
I
How ToI I
ZACHERY BROWN Come directly to them and don't Just as mentioned above, the
Get a job on the HillItry to beat around the bush. Try rules serve to ensure everyone's
I
Freshman year of college proves to remember that your RA was safety and ability to live healthily L ..I
year after year, student after a First Year student at one point on campus and in an environment
student, to be a learning experience too," said senior Jess Hague, who that promotes learning and CHARLES MULLIN It all adds up though
when you need that extra
and in some cases an unforgettable has ,two years experience as an succeeding while at McDaniel. Although it is more difficult hundred for schoolbooks
for freshman to find an or spending money. What
joyrney. This tends to be especially RA. One of the most important parts
open job than it is for better way is there to get
liThe woytotrue for those students of this environment
upperclassmen, there are to know the faculty and
who are able to spend it, approach an that the college and the still many opportunities bulk up your resume than
living on-campus. Going best RAs strive for involves available for on-campus to work part-time at the
Hill?
[ustwithout home-cooked RA is to be open with them. community. McDaniel jobs and federal work- . Speaking of bulking up a
resume, there are also links
meals, and friends' from Try to remember that your RA is a small campus, and it study. Most of it is only provided at the bottom of
home, and pets, and the will soon seem like you a click away on the the' same "job postings"
McDaniel College' website. page that recommend
bed that had been worn was a FirstYear student at one see almost everyone you great community, service
in just perfectly can be If you qualify for Federal programs and volunteer
quite daunting. But, point, too." know just about ev<;ry Work Study (FWS), search
day. This is something "federal work study"
at the McDaniel home
there are certainly plenty that seems to be unique page which gives you a
of people on campus who are Each RA will hold a meeting and to McDaniel and even the RAs
there to help support the .incoming go through a set of rules within help to Ibolster the feeling of
class as they start their collegiate the first week of school. These being one big family. This is
careers. rules range from what items are primarily attempted, with the result
One such group of people there acceptable to have in the residence depending on the students, by
to assist in acclimating to campus halls to policies regarding holding building-wide and floor-
living is the group of RAs that live underage drinking on campus, wideevents throughout the year. good lowdown on the work like the Boys and
right alongside the freshman class. all of which are concerned with These programs, as they are requirements for FWS,
For those unfamiliar to the term, the safety of students and the where to complete the Girls Club of Westminster,
RA stands for Resident Assistant. progression of a healthy learning called by the Office of Residence paperwork, and how to
As the title suggests, the RA's job environment. Life (ResLife for short), are geared spend the hours. the, Community Media
is to assist residents throughout towards allowing the people living Center, or the Carroll
the semester, maintain the rules These are important to pay near each other the opportunity Of course you don't need County Public library.
of the college in the residence attention to, and following them to meet new people that they may to, have FWS to obtain Just read over the short
should keep you out of trouble not have met otherwise. RAs are description 'and contact
halls, and to build a community on campus. However, to make also grateful when a lot of people a great job on campus; the email address listed.
among the residents. Most are all within walking
sure that all of the rules are being show up, and some have been it's just cnother way of distance as well.
In terms of assisting the
students, the RAs function as the followed, each building is assigned known to have a pizza party if providing dependable Or you can make an
ambassadors between the students cppointmanl with one
and the Office of Residence Life, an On Duty RA each night. enough people are on board. opportunities for money. of McDaniel's Career
and are in charge of disseminating Counselors at the Career
any relevant information about This means that an RA will make In talking about how important To find all the available Services Office, which is
the living' situations, as well as now a part of the Center
reporting any problems that may a round of the building three to this feeling of community is to the job postings for on-campus for Experience and
arise throughout the year in the Opportunity.
hall. five times throughout the night students, especially freshman, Jess jobs, you can click on
For instance, if the MicroFridge and will be on the lookout for provides this: "My best advice: the link "job postings" at
anything that seems to break the don't be afraid to open yourself the bottom of the FWS
school's policies. If any student is , up and, introduce yourself to new.
found to bebreaking the rules,that people! You never know who you'll page. There you can
have, been established, then they meet. Maybe they'll be your best find openings for Student
will be documented and will go friend for the next fifty years." Engagement, Academic
(one being provided for every through the disciplinary process, This is a basic overview of what Affairs, Departments, Now get started on that
room) stops working, a student which can lead to a number of freshman 'can expect from their hunt!
could report this to his or her RA, different outcomes. RAs to-be, and a bit of advice Hoover Library, and many
who would then, put in a work about how to get a good start
order to get that fixed as soon as "[New students are] going to in the first year 'of college. With others. It's the go-to place
possible by the maintenance crew. be under enough stress adjusting this knowledge, the Class of 2016
Each individual RA will go more to college life when it comes to should have a head start on its for applying. ,
classes, making friends, and being
After that, all you have to
do is contact-the employer
into detail about this process as away from home. If they have brand new surroundings, and be via the email listed, attach
individual situations arise, and will to start dealing with disciplinary able to start building themselves a resume, and fulfill any
keep the students up to date on issues as well, that could end up a McDaniel family, right from day other qualifications or
any answers to questions they may 'being way too much for them one. requirements listed. _
have. to handle and it could become Editor's Note: Zach Brown has served Many of the jobs listed
"The best way to approach an difficult for them to succeed in as a Resident Assistant since 2011. give at least 6-10 hours
their first year," said Hague. each week of ci semester.
RA is just to be open with them.