I understand that many people are probably fed up with hearing about social clubs, pledging, and other related activities. I would have to agree with those people. However, as it is prevalent in my life at this time, I feel I must speak my piece before the time has come to move on with life.

I am not in a club, but my roommate is pledging at the moment; therefore I feel that I have somewhat of an insider’s scoop (without all the torment). Before I say anything else, however, let me say this: not all social clubs are bad, as some people think. Some provide many things to the community, as well as opportunities for bonding with peers and growing closer to God. They are there for support when you need them, through the good times and the bad.

However, I disagree strongly with the idea that in order to become a member of certain clubs, one must degrade oneself by doing all sorts of random, idiotic acts, as well as subject oneself to psychological stress from club members. I know that, as a normal college student taking on an average workload, I am stressed enough. I cannot even imagine how awful it must be to someone who is pledging. I feel bad for my roommate, who barely has time to sleep let alone do homework or have a social life outside of “club.”

And after this lovely pledging process is finished and you are in your much-desired club, what did you get out of it? Lower grades, sleep deprivation, some mild hostility towards your club’s upperclassmen-not exactly a wonderful gain, if you ask me. Many clubs defend pledging by saying, “Our pledge class had to go through with it, so they should too,” or “It is a good bonding experience for the pledges.” However, these reasons hold very little sway with me. Perhaps there is a reason why pledge class numbers are on the low and de-pledging numbers are on the high.

Mary Foster
sophomore history major from Abilene