By Jantomi Hall
Staff Writer/MC201
Greek life plays a significant role at Jackson State University for many students. Due to the Covid-19 coronavirus however, many incoming members of sororities and fraternities felt robbed of the Greek experience.
The pandemic took away “Thee Great Reveal” experience for spring 2020 initiates due to the cancellation of the in-person show that eventually turned into a virtual one.
At Jackson State University, there were a total of 165 Greek initiates that crossed in spring 2020. Many of the new initiates were disappointed by the cancellation of their probates, along with supporters who purchased tickets.
Sororities and fraternities had to take a new approach by posting a picture or videos of new members to show recognition.
Trey Cotton is a spring 2020 member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. at Jackson State. He shared his thoughts on how the coronavirus affected his Greek experience.
“Honestly, I was devastated when I found out there would be no probate,” Cotton said. “After months of practicing for our moment to be revealed, we were told that it wasn’t going to happen.”
Cotton added, “Things were different because while we were preparing for probate, more and more people were leaving campus due to COVID. Also, we had to take into account how much we had been with each other and if someone might have contracted the virus.”
Cotton also expressed how challenging things were for the Alphas due to the pandemic.
“Things were definitely challenging. We never truly got our moment in the spotlight like others before us,” said Cotton. “We also never got our first day out or even a yard show, so there were many things that we missed out on due to COVID,” he said.
Jai’ Woodson, a spring 2020 neophyte of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. also reflected on how COVID-19 interfered with her Greek experience.
“When I found out the probate was going to be canceled, I cried for days. I was so hurt and sad because something that I waited my entire life for and worked so hard for was partially ruined,” Woodson stated.
Woodson said the probate was not the only things she has missed out on since becoming a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
“I didn’t get to experience my ‘PHirst Day out’, celebrate my first charter day, and host events with my chapter,” said Woodson. “Things that I saw previous lines do and events that I attended before I was a member, I haven’t gotten to experience yet.”
At first Woodson thought that COVID-19 was going to be short-lived but it made things more challenging.
“Since this has become the new normal, it has gotten a lot harder and more challenging. My life feels so routine now,” she stated. “COVID has ruined so many things for me such as my probate, my 21st birthday, and now my senior year.”
Woodson continued, “But there’s nothing I can do about it but pray that everything becomes normal again and continue to stay safe.”
Charlotte Sanders, a spring 2020 initiate of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. gave details on how COVID-19 limited the time she got to share with her line sisters.
“Once COVID came, it became mandatory to limit interaction with people and for students to go home,” Sanders said. “Most of my [line] sisters are from out of state, therefore they had to leave Jackson. We couldn’t have as many activities together anymore.”
Although COVID-19 made it challenging for some, Sanders indicated that it was not hard for her to adapt to the changes.
“It wasn’t hard for me to adjust to the new changes due to COVID,” she said. “Mostly everything became virtual and I spent a lot of time using technology therefore it was easy for me.”
COVID-19 has not only impacted Greek life at JSU, according to an article in the New York Times, universities all over the U.S. are struggling with how to prevent tightly packed sorority and fraternity houses from turning into coronavirus clusters.
Be First to Comment