Why join a Fraternity?
Why Should I Join a Fraternity? See some of the ways that Greek Life can positively influence your college career and the rest of your life!
Success: I want to be successful in life.
What does this mean to me?
- I want to do well academically.
- I want to graduate in four years and have a job that pays me well.
- I want to do research or have an internship in my field of study.
- I want to have a rapport with my professors.
- I want to provide leadership to my organization.
- I do not just want a pin and a certificate.
- I want to have mentors and friends to help me develop as a student and as a person.
How will joining a fraternity help me?
Fraternities stress academics, rewarding those who excel in the classroom. They have academic expectations for members and resources to assist members during their education and into their job search. The All-Greek Average for GPAs is consistently higher than the University Average.
Members develop relationships with chapter alumni who can assist with resumes, job placement, marketing your Greek experience, and settling in a new location after graduation. One chapter, for instance, participates in a program that pairs alumni in the work force with recent graduates.
Fraternities provide opportunities to meet many people who will assist you. Educational programs will introduce you to campus resources that will help you excel. For example, Greek Community Educational Consultants meet regularly with chapter scholarship chairs and are personally available to help chapter members succeed.
You will improve your communication and interpersonal skills though your interactions and leadership experiences. In one example, executive officers of the Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Congress work closely with counterparts of the opposite board to reach common goals. Employers will value the skills you will develop through your Greek experience.
Compared to non-Greek students, Greeks are 2.6 times more likely to graduate within six years and make about $5,000 more in their first job.
Personal Development: I want to be a better person.
What does this mean to me?
- I want leadership opportunities.
- I want to learn to work efficiently with others and learn how to confront inappropriate behavior.
- I want to learn how to interact socially with others in an appropriate way.
- I want responsibility, both personally and professionally.
- I want to be involved in my community.
- I want to be aware of and celebrate diversity.
- I want to develop life skills, including money management, working within a team, living on my own, and running an organization.
How will joining a fraternity help me?
The Greek experience facilitates personal development according to the university-wide undergraduate experience, which is designed to be intentional, comprehensive, and developmental.
Intentional:
The chance to be a leader is not only available but expected. Chapters have leadership positions, financial responsibilities, and policies and procedures to follow, much like most organizations and companies. At a community level, the Order of Omega recognizes outstanding Greek leaders for their valuable service and academic excellence.
Fraternities offer leadership training and development at a chapter, campus, regional, and national level. There is a specific training for new members, for initiated chapter members, and for those holding positions within the chapter.
Comprehensive:
Within weeks of becoming affiliated with a chapter, you will have brothers with whom you will form a mentoring relationship and go to for guidance and support. Additionally, there are chances to shadow and learn from current officers.
Chapter members learn from and build on previous experiences and leadership positions.
Developmental:
A fraternity is a group of men who work together to achieve goals. You will learn how to plan events, work with people, hold members accountable for their behaviors, confront inappropriate behavior, build relationships, and praise others for a job well done. Each semester, the Greek Community sponsors a campus wide leadership conference with workshops that help to build valuable skills.
Fraternity and sorority life is social in nature, but that does not imply drinking or partying. It allows you to meet other people in a fun environment and become comfortable getting to know people you have met for the first time. Mixers have included events like TV nights, bowling, roller skating, and ice cream socials.
Campus chapters are diverse in of themselves, with members from many different racial, religious, regional, and other backgrounds. Fraternities and sororities are sensitive to and educated upon diversity issues.
Fraternities hold in high regard their responsibility to give back to the community. Whether it is donating their time, working with others, or raising money for a worthy cause, they dedicate themselves to helping others through a commitment to engage in community service.
Lifelong Friends: I want to form lifelong friendships.
What does this mean to me?
- I want to find a close-knit group of friends and create a positive “home away from home” environment.
- After graduating from college, I want to have a connection with my alma mater and look forward to returning and contributing to my school.
- I want friendships based on a set of common values and interests.
- I want to form a network of friends who will assist me personally and professionally in the future.
How will joining a fraternity help me?
A fraternity gives you the opportunity to make new friends who will be with you long after graduation. The men and women you meet today will be the ones who stand up in your wedding, provide guidance when you are struggling, and share in your happiness for many years.
Many fraternities have alumni who will share their experiences and help prepare you for life after graduation. Advisors and House Directors are alumni who may come from different undergraduate institutions but share a common bond nonetheless.
By seizing the opportunity to join a chapter, you will have the chance to share common experiences, challenge your thoughts and beliefs, learn from others, and thus create the basis for lifelong friendships.
Fraternities have a foundation of values and standards known as the ritual. Through ritual, you will learn the basic concepts of friendship and values that will bring you closer to your brothers and sisters. This common bond will be with you for your life.
Enjoy Life: I want to have fun in college!
What does this mean to me?
- I want to meet new people, do new things, and expand my horizons.
- I need stress relieving activities.
- I want to participate in campus events.
- I want to visit new places.
How will joining a fraternity or sorority help me?
Chapters often participate in campus events and go to sporting events together. Greek life gets involved in many campus activities and co-sponsors programs with other campus groups.
You will be encouraged to get involved in other student organizations.
Many fraternities and sororities participate in intramural sports that will give you the opportunity to play competitive athletics ranging from football and bocce ball to almost everything in between.
Fraternities and sororities have organized informal events and activities for members and guests.
Many chapters organize study breaks or movie nights so they can spend time with each other.
(adapted from the Case University Office of Greek Life)