By Christine Rhee
Before my junior year, I hadn’t really considered rushing any kind of sorority or fraternity. However, when my friend, Jacqueline Ford, told me she was starting a professional public policy fraternity on campus, I wanted to give her all my support. I decided I would attend rush events, but I had some concerns.
First, I was worried that as a junior, it was too late for me to join a fraternity because most people rush their freshman or sophomore year. Second, I was worried that I would be putting too much on my plate. I like to stay involved on campus and when my close friends found out I was considering rushing, they all thought I was crazy. Everyone told me I wouldn’t have time to do it because the semester you pledge takes up a lot of time. Finally, I was worried that I wouldn’t fit in. I was anxious about the possibility that everyone in the frat would be Public Policy or Government & Politics majors and I would be the only one who was taking a completely different set of courses.
All these worries were immediately put to rest once I actually went to rush events. Everyone was so friendly and welcoming; I immediately felt like a part of the community. I saw freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors all rushing and no one seemed to care how old or young you were. I became friends with Kayla, an atmospheric and oceanic science major, who takes more classes with engineers than public policy majors. My good friend, Philippos, who rushed with me, is not only a public policy major, but a theater major as well. I was intrigued with the complete diversity in the brotherhood and was honestly quite confused as to how we would all come together to form a cohesive community.
But that’s the thing about public policy; it is such a broad and general field. Policies are everywhere. The one thing that everyone in KOA has in common is the drive and desire to change the world for the better. I am personally interested in education policy, but my friend Kayla is more interested in environmental policy. The fact that we all have different interests, but all have the same desire to make this world a better place is what brings KOA brothers together.
I am always learning from people in my fraternity and I love how passionate everyone is about the issues they care about. When we’re not sharing articles about current events or discussing the most recent debate, we’re asking the chat if anyone wants to grab a bite or see the puppies on the McKeldin Mall. Anyone who wants to change the world should rush KOA and see what we have to offer. If you’re worried about the time commitment or requirements, KOA is so accommodating to your life as a student and campus leader. Trust me when I say if I could do it, then you can do it, too.
Christine Rhee is a senior Middle School Math and Science Education major with a Spanish minor. She is a member of KOA’s Beta Class.
