Photo by Madelyn Alexander 
There have been many challenges amongst all campus life this semester, but Greek life on campus has been affected particularly heavily.
It has been a challenge for both fraternities and sororities for recruitment, as well as philanthropy season, which is primarily in October.
Usually all the organizations are able to hold in person events, but since that was not a possibility this semester, they had to move the events online, which has impacted the number of attendees.
As an alternative, several organizations are hosting virtual week events.
For example, Chi Omega recently did a virtual Wish Week for their philanthropy Make-A-Wish where there would be a different activity online to raise money, like a bingo sheet where people can adopt stars and Venmo the amount of money they wanted to raise.
Phi Mu is also hosting a week dedicated to their philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Hospital. It is called Miracle Week with a different online activity to do each day to raise money, like a TikTok dance off, as explained by COMS senior Abby Jo Askins of Phi Mu.
“It changes the game for sororities,” said Askins, in reference to the movement online.
According to junior musical theatre major, Meredith Vaughn, Alpha Delta Pi has also gone virtual by hosting online obstacle courses to raise money by linking videos of members running through their homemade courses designed by their chapter. A like would equal one vote that and then contribute to the philanthropy.
Zeta Phi Delta is working on collaborating with other sororities to host live streams in order to raise awareness and money for mothers and children in need within the community, according to President of Zeta Phi Beta Adriel Vinson.
Caleb Jones is the president of UM chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, or NPHC, which is a collection of nine historically Black sororities and fraternities.
For the NPHC it has been as difficult for them as the white sororities on campus, and in many ways harder.
“As the University of Montevallo is a predominantly white campus, the NPHC has a small number of members within their sororities and fraternities… getting the name out about all the sororities and fraternities they have to offer to the African American students, especially the freshman [is difficult],” said Jones.
The NPHC focuses on programs to ensure a better community, taking part in national programs involved with voter registration and helping high school students go to college. While he move online is challenging for NPHC to figure out how to achieve their goals in raising money for their philanthropies, but they have hope.
When looking into the future of philanthropy season for Greek life at Montevallo it depends on the future of the outcomes of COVID-19.
“It depends on how much we shift to pre-COVID life back whenever it gets back under control,” said Riley Hickman, a junior Chi Omega.
Multiple students agreed that there would still be a shift to more virtual events regardless if social distancing guidelines change.
Regardless of what comes in their way, Greek organizations are still working towards their philanthropic goals.
“It ties back to community service,” said Jones. “It is the knowledge that a student has knowing that they did something to help someone.”
Sarah Clayton is a writer for The Alabamian. She is a third-year senior theatre major who enjoys all things theatre related. When she is not writing for The Alabamian or busy with classes she enjoys listening to music, reading, making TikToks, watching movies or TV shows she has already seen and hanging out with friends.
