Elise Nelson/Winonan

The sororities at Winona State University are nothing like how they’re portrayed in the movies, and they want people to know that.

President of Delta Phi Epsilon Lexi Banker said, “People think we’re party girls. We don’t have time for that.”

Winona State’s three sororities keep their members busy with their philanthropies, fundraisers and other events.

They use these events to support their community and bond as sororities within what they call their “Greek community.”

While it is a common misconception in media that sororities don’t get along with each other, the members of Delta Phi Epsilon were quick to discredit it.

According to Banker, there’s a level of friendly competition during Greek Week but, these social activities are used to break those barriers between sororities and fraternities.

This concept of community shows itself when someone bothers a member of one of the sororities or fraternities, Banker said.

“They have our back,” Banker said. “If we get attacked, it’s times like that that our Greek community comes through.”

Erica Paulson, the president of Phi Theta Chi, reiterated this, saying that there are a number of members who live with women from other sororities. Despite this level of community, members were quick to add that they are not all the same.

“We are not clones,” President of Sigma Sigma Sigma Alyssa Prow said.

According to Banker, the sororities look for members who are unique.

“We embrace the differences,” Banker said.

One thing all of the sororities have in common is a dedication to education. All three sororities have programs in place to keep members accountable for their grades.

Phi Theta Chi requires its members to have at least a 2.25 GPA, and Delta Phi Epsilon and Sigma Sigma Sigma require their members to maintain at least a 2.50 GPA. If a member falls below these, they are put on a type of academic probation and required to bring their grade up in order to continue as a part of the sorority.

Each sorority has study programs in place to ensure their members are focusing on schoolwork.

Sigma Sigma Sigma also offers incentives to members who maintain good grades consistently.

Currently, Sigma Sigma Sigma has an approximate average GPA of 3.1, Delta Phi Epsilon has an average GPA of 3.0 and Phi Theta Chi has an average GPA of 3.2.

Delta Phi Epsilon also pairs newer women with members in a similar major who have been at Winona State longer to help with homework and registering for classes.

Every sorority emphasized that school comes before the sorority.

“We are here for school, first and foremost,” Paulson said.

With school at the forefront, the sororities then focus on their three philanthropies.

From Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders to Special Olympics, members of the sororities spend a large amount of time raising money and awareness for their causes.

Even though each sorority emphasizes the importance of school and volunteering, they also highlight the importance of the social aspect of a sorority.

“You get a sense of family here,” Paulson said. “You’re away from home, but there’s always someone there for you, a support system.”

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