The Greek Life Blog

Fraternity Recruitment Preparation

Fraternity rush can be an incredibly daunting task for many potential new members, no matter your history or connection to the Greek system. For a lot of people, rush occurs relatively early in their college career–either first semester or early second semester. This doesn't allow for much time to get to know the brothers or the campus as a whole. Thus, a lot of people find the hectic nature of rush to be incredibly overwhelming.

Although there is no way to know what exactly to expect during rush week, there are some ways to be prepared. 

Research

One of the first things to do if you are preparing for fraternity recruitment and rush (or even just considering it) is to research. First, research fraternities as a whole organization. Do they sound appealing? Keep in mind that you also don’t have to join the “stereotypical” fraternity. These fraternities are social organizations with philanthropic involvement, but there are other fraternities that may interest you more. There are social fraternities, service fraternities, honor fraternities, religious and ethnic fraternities, and professional fraternities. 

Once you've researched Greek life as a whole, it is really important to research what specific fraternities are at your university or college. Getting to know what fraternities are at your school is crucial to getting prepared for recruitment. Is Greek life huge at your school? Are there lots of fraternities to choose from, or are there only a few social ones? Get to know what your options are at your school in order to be as prepared for rush as possible.

It is also crucial to figure out when exactly your rush is. If rush is the first thing during fall semester, then give yourself more time to research each fraternity and your school's recruitment process specifically. If your recruitment isn't until the winter semester, then you have more time to get to know the fraternities and their brothers, as well as acquaint yourself with the recruitment process. 

Discuss

Another big part of preparing for fraternity recruitment is to discuss the process thoroughly with multiple people. First, talk to anyone you already know in Greek life. Do you have a family history of Greek life, or are your friends involved? If so, talk with them about their experiences. Although you can’t guarantee that your specific experience is going to be the same as theirs, they may provide great insight to help you better prepare for recruitment. 

Another great group of people to discuss rush with are people on your campus. A lot of student advisors and counselors (even residential advisors) are very open to discussing Greek life and may provide great information regarding the experiences on your campus specifically. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best thing to do when preparing for fraternity recruitment is to research and discuss your different options when looking into fraternities. Although these organizations are great for some people, stereotypical social Greek organizations are not a perfect fit for everyone. Knowing what is best for you and your college experience is the most important thing, and there is no shame in not choosing to join a fraternity.

What is a Fraternity Sweetheart?

Fraternities and sororities have a history of using the term “sweetheart” to reward individuals that are most involved and dedicated to their chapter. In short, a fraternity sweetheart is a sorority woman chosen by the chapter to represent their fraternity and become a part of their organization. 

Becoming a fraternity sweetheart is a big deal at many schools across the nation and is a big commitment–fraternity sweethearts have a year-long commitment to the fraternity and participate in a multitude of the fraternity’s events. Although there aren’t a set of rules to becoming a fraternity’s sweetheart, there is an unspoken requirement of dedication to the fraternity. This means that a true fraternity sweetheart is taking the role because she genuinely enjoys the brotherhood of that fraternity. 

Additionally, a fraternity sweetheart is generally someone who is very outgoing, kind, and involved on campus. For a lot of fraternities, choosing a sweetheart that already has a great reputation on campus is a big deal, because it shows other students (who may or may not be involved in Greek life) that there is far more to the fraternity other than the social scene. If a well-rounded and sociable woman is their sweetheart, the fraternity is far more likely to have a better reputation.

Becoming a fraternity sweetheart is different at every school. There may be a chapter vote, campus vote, a competition, or even just an appointment of duties. You may have to be in a certain sorority to become a specific fraternity’s sweetheart, and you may even need to be in a certain sorority family. There isn’t a universal list of requirements, so it may take research depending on what school you attend.

The most important thing to consider when looking to become a fraternity’s sweetheart is how much time you’ll be able to commit to the organization. It is very common for fraternity sweethearts to be active in their fraternity’s philanthropic events, fundraisers, events, and parties. Depending on your school or fraternity, you may even attend their house dinners and have other duties. Keep in mind that these activities all may range from just a few hours a week to a few hours every day. 

When looking to become a fraternity sweetheart, you should make sure that you discuss the role thoroughly with both the fraternity of your choice and your sorority. The fraternity will tell you what exactly is expected of you, and your sorority sisters may even have advice or past experiences to share. Additionally, make sure that you are doing proper research and that you are well-prepared for the role. It is easy to feel a lot of social pressure in a role like this, and it is important to remember that yourself and your academics come first. 

Overall, being a fraternity sweetheart is a huge tradition at many schools. If being a fraternity sweetheart is really important to you, make sure your voice is heard and that you prove your dedication to the fraternity!

How to Pick the Best Fraternity For You

Fraternity rush can be one of the most stressful yet memorable times of a young adult’s college experience. There are many different factors to consider–philanthropy, brotherhood, and a fraternity’s history and legacy, not to mention feeling the societal pressure of having to endure this experience with hundreds of other new first-year students. There is no doubt that this can be an incredibly daunting experience, but with proper research and preparation for rush, you can rest assured that you will be well-prepped for this experience.

How to Pick a Fraternity

Picking a fraternity to join is not an easy decision. Although there may be factors pushing you in a certain direction (legacy, sports teams, friends, etc.), it is important to note that this decision is something that you should make entirely on your own. Joining a brotherhood is something special and although you may be tempted to stay in the same fraternity as your friends, that may not be the best decision for you. You should choose a fraternity based on what ideals align with your own, what philanthropy is important to you, and what fraternity members you could see yourself forming a close relationship with. By ensuring that you are choosing the best fraternity to align with your own personal beliefs, goals, and values, you can almost guarantee that you will find the fraternity for you. 

Fraternities

When researching fraternities to join, you should make sure that you are aware of your school’s specific Greek organizations on campus. Every school is different and each fraternity chapter has its own specific events or rituals.

That being said, here is a list of some popular fraternities and their information to help guide your research!

Pi Kappa Alpha (PIKE)

Founded: 1868, University of Virginia

Values: Scholars, Leaders, Athletes, and Gentlemen

Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee

Alpha Phi Alpha

Founded: 1906, Cornell University 

Values: Service First, Respect, Embracing Diversity, Integrity, and Perseverance

Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland

Special Characteristics: Alpha Phi Alpha is a historically black fraternity, with a particular interest in benefiting African American advancement organizations.

Theta Chi

Founded: 1856, Norwich University

Values: Leadership, Academic Excellence, and Brotherhood

Headquarters: Carmel, Indiana

Sigma Chi

Founded: 1855, Miami University

Values: Friendship, Justice, and Learning

Philanthropy: Derby Days, Merlin Olsen Day of Service, and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation/Huntsman Cancer Institute

Headquarters: Evanston, Illinois

Sigma Nu

Founded: 1869, Virginia Military Institute

Values: Love, Honor, and Truth

Headquarters: Lexington, Virginia

Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Founded: 1856, University of Alabama

Values: Friendship, Scholarship, Leadership, Integrity, and Service in order to become a True Gentleman

Philanthropy: Be the Match, Children’s Miracle Hospital Network, Movember

Headquarters: Evanston, Illinois

Sigma Phi Epsilon

Founded: 1901, Richmond College (now University of Richmond)

Values: Virtue, Diligence and Brotherly Love

Headquarters: Richmond, Virginia

Kappa Delta Rho

Founded: 1905, Middlebury College

Values: Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, Service, and Tradition

Headquarters: Greensburg, Pennsylvania

Kappa Sigma

Founded: 1869, University of Virginia

Values: Four Pillars of Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service

Philanthropy: The MIlitary Heroes Campaign

Headquarters: Charlottesville, Virginia

Lambda Chi Alpha

Founded: 1909, Boston University

Values: Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Service and Stewardship, Honor, Integrity, and Personal courage

Philanthropy: Feeding America

Headquarters: Carmel, Indiana

Lambda Sigma Upsilon

Founded: 1979, Rutgers University

Values: Academic Excellence, Cultural Awareness and Diversity, Becoming Role Models, and Brotherhood

Special Characteristics: A Latino fraternity with a dedication to supporting HIV/AIDs research.

Headquarters: Elizabeth, New Jersey

Beta Theta Pi

Founded: 1839, Miami University 

Values: Intellect, Responsible Conduct, Mutual Assistance, Integrity and Trust

Headquarters: Oxford, Ohio

Why Do Fraternities Have Philanthropy

When most people think of fraternities, they only picture the stereotypical party culture of fraternities. Although a big part of fraternities is the social benefits and aspects of joining one, one major thing that is overlooked is their dedication to community service and philanthropy. A lot of fraternities’ entire basis is the cultivation of brotherhood while being involved in their local community, and overlooking this fact is a major discredit to these organizations.

National Involvement

Fraternities have philanthropy for a variety of different reasons. To start off with, the main reason that fraternities have philanthropy is to give back to their local and national community. A lot of fraternities have a national philanthropic organization that they contribute to multiple times a year, and they are constantly doing fundraisers for these organizations. From tabling, selling t-shirts, and throwing events on campus, fraternities are constantly doing things to raise money for their philanthropy. 

Getting involved in philanthropy is really important for many fraternity members. The events that each fraternity hosts are a big deal, and fraternity brothers spend months planning and organizing them. These events are a really big deal for the overall brotherhood of the fraternity. Some examples of fraternity events for their philanthropy include Sigma Chi’s Derby Days and Sigma Phi Epsilon’s sports tournaments for Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Local Involvement 

Another reason that fraternities have philanthropy is to get involved in their local community. A lot of fraternities are constantly doing things to contribute to the betterment of their campus community, including supporting other fraternity and sorority philanthropies and events. Philanthropy really allows for the greater good of a fraternity to shine; fraternities all come together to support one another despite rivalry or reputation.

Additionally, fraternities often hold events for causes outside of their philanthropy or even campus community. Many fraternities volunteer to help build houses, tutor, clean up parks and roadways, and even hold food and book drives. Chances are, you can find fraternity members constantly doing things for others throughout the local community.

When looking at fraternities as a whole, it is really important to really appreciate their contributions to the greater good of their communities. A big part of fraternities is philanthropy due to their connection to bettering oneself. By dedicating themselves to a higher purpose, brothers are able to grow as individuals and contribute to not only the betterment of their community but also their brotherhood. Philanthropy allows for each brother to turn into themselves and use that learning for the improvement of themselves.

Overview

In conclusion, fraternities have philanthropy because they are organizations designed to contribute to the betterment of their community. By being involved in philanthropy, fraternities are not only having a major impact socially, but they are having an impact on themselves and their brotherhood. By taking time to dedicate themselves to a bigger purpose, they are allowing themselves to grow as individuals, which only positively benefits their brotherhood, and supports many ideals of the fraternal brotherhood.