History Lesson

Greek organizations have a long history that dates back to the first recognized Greek letter society, Phi Beta Kappa, founded at William and Mary in 1776. This, however, was a literary society that came under pressure to reveal its rituals. Since then it has been purely an honors society. The first organization recognized as a male fraternity was Chi Phi, founded at Princeton in 1824. The Adelphean Society, later named Alpha Delta Pi, was the first women's society founded at Wesleyan in 1851. There are several women's societies that, while generally called sororities, are actually women's fraternities that predate the coining of the term sorority. Three such organizations, Alpha Phi, Pi Beta Phi, and Phi Mu all have chapters on the University of Maine Campus. Greek Letter Societies are named using the Greek alphabet, often to signify some motto or list of virtues. Each chapter of the organizations is named using Greek letters beginning with Alpha Chapter, then Beta Chapter, and so on. This is only a brief history of Greek Life, for more information on a particular organization try visiting their website!

Leadership Positions in Greek Life

Greek Life is based on unity and working together as a group, but there are plenty of opportunities for personal growth as well. For those who are natural leaders, or looking to learn leadership skills, there are positions within every fraternity and sorority. These positions vary in their responsibilities and level of involvement. Every organization is structured differently, but generally there is an executive board of essential positions, and many more positions that report to them. Members can choose to give as much or as little of their time and effort as they like. Perhaps they are looking to become President, or maybe they are content working behind the scenes - there are places for all types of personalities. In addition to fraternity and sorority positions, there are Greek councils with positions to be filled. The Pan-Hellenic Council of sororities and the Inter-Fraternity Council hold elections every year and try to choose members from a variety of organizations. With so many opportunities for involvement, Greek Life is a great environment for emerging leaders to hone their skills.

Scholarship in Greek Life

When considering the idea of joining Greek Life many students voice the concern that their grades will be negatively affected. They worry that joining a fraternity or a sorority will leave less time for homework assignments and studying. This is a common misconception. In fact, the opposite may be true. The overall GPA for Greek students at the University of Maine is traditionally higher than the average for the rest of campus. This can be attributed to scholarship programs used in each individual chapter. These programs include mandatory library hours, rewards for good grades and not skipping classes, study events during finals, etc. Every Greek organization has a notebook in the library to log and track their study hours. They also compete for the highest Sorority GPA and highest Fraternity GPA every semester. With all of these programs, and the added convenience of having at least one brother or sister in your major to discuss courses with, Greeks truly have the advantage when it comes to academics at the University of Maine.

Famous Greeks

In my last post I touched on one of Greek Life's less desirable legacies, hazing. In this post I would like to point out that "fraternity" and "sorority" have some positive connotations as well. Many sororities and fraternities are known for producing very successful graduates. Some of their alum become famous in politics, business, and the entertainment industry. Many of these organizations have chapters on the University of Maine campus - students here can call celebrities, moguls, and CEOs their sorority sisters and fraternity brothers. Actor Matthew McConaughey was once a Delta Tau Delta. Former First Lady Grace Coolidge was a sister of Pi Beta Phi. Dr. Seuss was a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon. Carol Huntoon, an Astronaut Director for NASA was in Delta Zeta. These are only a few names in a long history of Greeks achieving great things!

Hazing in Greek Life

"Any action or situation with or without consent which recklessly, intentionally or unintentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or creates risk of injury, or causes discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership"

- The definition of "hazing" as adopted by the National Panhellenic Conference of sororities

Hazing is a topic that, as college students, we are all familiar with. Greek life earned a reputation for hazing its new members in the 1980's and 1990's. Greek organizations are not the only ones, other clubs and teams have been reprimanded for hazing, including athletes from our own University of Maine. Many campaigns in recent years have helped to make people aware of hazing, and in doing so, prevent it. As for fraternities and sororities the reputation continues to follow them, making others suspicious of their activities. It is important to recognize that hazing is forbidden by the bylaws of all national fraternities and sororities, so organizations that are caught hazing can and will be punished. Any pledge or new member to a fraternity and sorority who feels they are being hazed should report the incident, either to the authorities on their campus or by calling a hazing hotline. Visit one of these websites for more information:

http://www.hazingprevention.org/index.php

http://www.stophazing.org/

How to Go Greek

Many students here at the university, especially younger students, are interested in joining Greek Life but are not sure how. The answer depends on whether one wants to join a sorority or a fraternity, because the two processes are very different.

If you are a male student looking to join a fraternity the answer is simple: rush the fraternity that interests you. You can speak to a brother and learn about any upcoming rush events where you can get to know the chapter. If you are unsure of which fraternity to join you should meet a few chapters before making your decision. If the brothers decide you are a good fit for the chapter, and they are looking to recruit, then they will give you a bid.

If you are a female looking to join a sorority the process is more formal. Every year during the fall sororities come together to hold formal recruitment, a series of parties and events where young women and sorority chapters get to know eachother. Over the course of the parties sororities and potential members narrow their choices to come to a mutual decision, and then bids are handed out.
Now you know the facts. How interested are you in Greek Life?

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How interested are you in Greek Life?

I would like to join a sorority or a fraternity I am a member of a fraternity or sorority and I enjoy it I am a member of a fraternity or sorority and I don't enjoy it I would not want to join Greek Life, but i can understand why others would I think that joining Greek Life is terrible idea

Greek Philanthropies

Alpha Phi sisters at Beta Theta Pi's philanthropy

Alpha Phi's Move Your Phi't 5K in 2008

Many people do not realize this, but every fraternity or sorority has a philanthropy, a charitable event or cause that they dedicate themselves to. These causes are usually dictated by their national organization, not chosen by a local chapter. Greek philanthropy events take place on campus all year long. Beta Theta Pi does their all night Sleep Out for Rape Awareness. Alpha Omicron Pi hosts the Mr. Fraternity competition for Juvenile Arthritis. Sigma Chi does Derby Days, a whole week of events that raise money for the Children's Miracle Network. My own sorority, Alpha Phi, will be holding the Move Your Phi't 5K race on April 26th for Cardiac Care. Greek organizations don't just contribute on campus, they dedicate themselves to national and global causes as well!