What does Greek Life have to offer Elon University
students?
The fraternity and sorority community at Elon
University is comprised of twenty two (inter)nationally
affiliated Greek letter organizations. Many students find
that joining a fraternity or sorority provides them a home
away from home and a foundation upon which to build a new and
exciting future. In addition, the Elon University fraternity
and sorority community opens many doors by providing
leadership, academic, athletic, service, and interpersonal
opportunities. The decision to join a Greek letter
organization is a lifelong commitment with an organization
that stands for the best things college has to offer.
How does a student become involved with Greek Life
at Elon?
Each semester, the Interfraternity, National
Pan-Hellenic and Panhellenic Councils sponsor a number of
organized recruitment events ? opportunities for
non-affiliated students to become acquainted with the
fraternity and sorority community. During Formal Recruitment
and Intake, non-affiliated students have the opportunity to
visit all of the fraternities and sororities to meet the
members and decide which, if any, of the chapter?s best suit
their needs. The recruitment process is one of mutual
selection in which fraternity and sorority members invite
individuals to be a part of their organizations, and
likewise, potential members select the chapters that are best
suited for them. Recruitment and NPHC Intake at
ElonUniversity is alcohol-free: that is, NO alcohol is
allowed at any formal recruitment or intake activity. Even if
students are unsure about joining a fraternity or sorority,
recruitment and intake offers a great opportunity to meet new
people!
What are the advantages of becoming affiliated with
the Elon Fraternity and Sorority community?
Becoming a member of the fraternity and sorority
community will provide you with a number of experiences that
will help you prepare for not only a career, but also for
life. These advantages include developing leadership skills
by chairing a committee or assuming an executive board
position; succeeding academically with the help of organized
study hours; increasing awareness and knowledge of a variety
of topics such as alcohol awareness, risk management,
multiculturalism, and acquaintance rape prevention; and
developing enduring friendships and memories that last long
after graduation. The following are but a few areas in which
you can benefit through participation in Greek Life at Elon
University:
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Leadership
At Elon University, the fraternity and sorority
community is committed to providing its members with vast
opportunities for leadership responsibilities. Each member
is encouraged to actively participate in chapter and
campus-wide leadership roles. Fraternity and sorority
members also develop leadership skills through leadership
retreats, national conventions, and other resources
available on campus, in addition to the learning and
self-discovery associated with holding a leadership
position.
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Scholarship
The fraternity and sorority community strives for the
development of academic excellence among all members. All
chapters at ElonUniversity maintain GPA requirements for
both membership and for assuming major leadership
positions. There is a commonly held belief or stereotype
that joining a fraternity or sorority is harmful to
one's studies and grades. ElonUniversity reviews grade
performance each semester for Greek-affiliated and
non-Greek students. Studies over the past several years
have shown that there is virtually no difference in grade
performance between these groups. Obviously, individual
differences can be dramatic at times on both sides of the
equation, but a fair and complete review has shown that on
average there is no statistical difference between these
groups of students.
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Service
Community service and philanthropy work are an
important aspect of Greek Life at ElonUniversity. Chapters
offer hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars each year
to fulfill their commitment to both the campus and the
community. Funds raised and time donated directly benefit
local and national charitable organizations.
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Social
The Greek community provides a unique social life
which blends events such as formal dances, sports, Greek
Week, theme parties, and brotherhood and sisterhood
functions to encourage the personal development of members
through social contact. Each chapter develops its own
social calendar and is encouraged to responsibly plan
events which promote a full spectrum of social activities
for its members.
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Athletics
Fraternities and sororities offer a special
opportunity to become actively involved in athletics at
ElonUniversity. Fraternities and sororities are active
participants in the campus intramurals program, and many
chapter members are involved in campus-wide varsity
athletics as well.
Will being a member of a fraternity or sorority
assist students as they begin their careers?
One of the tremendous assets of affiliation with a
fraternity or sorority is the nationwide network of alumni/ae
members of the organization. As a student prepares for entry
into the career world, alumni/ae members can assist in job
placement through their knowledge of where jobs are and who
is hiring. In addition, Greek Life will assist students in
developing transferable skills that will be needed in the
career world, such as management, leadership development,
communications, and more!
Does it cost a lot to be a fraternity or sorority
member?
Joining a fraternity or a sorority does have a
financial commitment. The chapters are self-supporting
through dues paid by their members. When students join a
fraternity or sorority, they also agree to pay dues and fees
while in school to maintain membership. Although chapters may
make accommodations for special needs, students should
discuss the financial obligations with their parents before
deciding to join.
Each chapter has different dues for membership that cover
such things as chapter and national dues, dues to the
chapters governing council, social activities, resources, and
other miscellaneous costs. Specific financial information for
each organization is available during Recruitment.
What is the time commitment involved in belonging to
a Greek letter organization?
There is no minimum or maximum time that a student
must donate to the fraternity or sorority. Through
involvement with the chapter, students will learn to better
manage their time by balancing academics, work, and other
commitments. Students find that being active in a fraternity
or sorority is well worth the time they put into it.
Are Greeks really like the actors in ANIMAL
HOUSE?
Many people have the misconception that the image
of fraternities and sororities depicted in Animal House is
really what is happening on college campuses across America.
In reality, the Animal House image of Greek Life could not be
further from the truth.
The Elon University Greek community promotes responsibility
in our activities. The governing councils encourage
responsibility in a number of ways. Through judicial boards,
chapters, and governing councils, we hold accountable those
members of the fraternity and sorority community who do not
act appropriately.
What about hazing in fraternities and
sororities?
Fraternities and sororities were founded on strong
moral, social, and academic principles. Hazing, or any
activity which subjects members to harassment, intimidation,
physical exhaustion, or mental distress is entirely contrary
to those founding principles. Each of the (inter)national
organizations at Elon University as well as University policy
and state law forbid hazing in all student activities at the
University.
What does being Greek really mean?
Membership in a fraternity or sorority is a
lifetime commitment. Choosing the Greek community means
working with a group of men or women who can exchange and
stand for common goals and ideas while being held to a higher
standard than other college students. The fraternity and
sorority experience during the college years is a gateway to
many rewards and connections later in life.
Each of the twenty-two chapters develop a special bond often
called brotherhood or sisterhood. Both are nurtured through
common work, laughter, service projects, intramurals, and the
shared successes and frustrations of all. Throughout the
student's life, membership will be an unwritten bond of
friendship no matter what course his/her life takes.
