How will my student benefit from joining a fraternity or sorority?
Fraternities and sororities are rooted in founding principles that foster academic achievement, student involvement, community service, and life-long friendships. Advantages include:
- A supportive group of peers to help ease the adjustment to college.
- Scholastic resources to help students achieve their academic goals.
- Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experience.
- Encouragement to get involved, stay involved, and maximize their potential on campus.
- Opportunities for active participation in community service projects.
National studies conducted annually consistently indicate that students who choose to join Greek-letter organizations experience many positive benefits, including the following:
- Greek students are more likely to stay in college than non-Greek students.
- College graduates who belong to a sorority or fraternity tend to be more financially successful than other college graduates.
- Greek alumni contribute more, both financially and in terms of volunteering time, to their alma maters than non-Greek alumni.
- Greek students are more active on campus and in community activities. Upon graduation, these members are also more likely to get involved in volunteer and charitable organizations.
How will joining a Greek organization affect my student’s academic pursuits?
Historically, Greek-letter organizations were founded on the principles of academic success and camaraderie. Today is no different. Our members realize that academic achievement is the main priority of Widener University students. Greek-letter organizations continue to strive for academic excellence and promote scholarship by providing academic resources for their members, including tutoring, academic advisors, study groups, scholarships, and awards. Chapter members know the importance of helping new students to adjust to college-level academic expectations. Many chapters have a rewards system based on GPA. Prospective members must meet a minimum GPA in order to be initiated, and then must maintain a minimum GPA to remain an active member.
What is the policy on alcohol use in the Fraternity & Sorority Life Community?
Each chapter’s inter/national organization has a policy or position statement regarding the use of alcohol or the presence of alcohol at chapter events. In addition to this, Widener University expects all organizations to adhere to federal, state, and local laws as it pertains to alcohol. Chapters and/or members failing to do so may be subject to criminal prosecution and/or group/individual sanctions imposed by the city or state, inter/national organizations, the university, the chapter’s governing council, or the individual chapter’s judicial board.
What is the financial obligation?
Like some opportunities for involvement in college, there is a financial commitment associated with joining a fraternity or sorority. The costs go toward the Inter/National fees, chapter operating expenses, and social functions. Financial obligations differ among individual chapters, as well as living in or out of a chapter house. New members can expect to pay higher dues their first semester than in subsequent ones. While your son or daughter is participating in the recruitment/intake process, make sure that he or she asks about the financial obligations of membership.
Is hazing a part of the Greek culture at Widener University?
The Widener University Fraternity & Sorority Life Community, its governing councils, and its member organizations are unconditionally opposed to any situations created to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Freedom from this humiliation and danger is guaranteed to every member of the Fraternity & Sorority Life Community. Any violation of this guarantee must be immediately reported to the Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life at 610-499-4404. All reports will be fully investigated.
Who is actually in charge of the fraternities and sororities?
Individual chapters elect officers to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. These officers are assisted by alumni who act as advisors. Each chapter is also responsible for reporting to their inter/national organization, which offers support, advice, and direction through paid professional staff and regional volunteers. At Widener University, one full-time staff person and one paid part-time employee serve as the primary contacts for the Fraternity & Sorority Life Community.
What is the difference between Recruitment and Intake?
The terms “rush” and “recruitment” refer to the joining process for Interfraternity Council and College Panhellenic Council organizations and are often used interchangeably. However, at Widener University and numerous other institutions across the nation–the term “recruitment,” is preferred, and the term “rush”, whose connotation is often negative, is not used at Widener.
Women considering sorority membership in the Panhellenic Council may participate in formal or informal recruitment processes. Formal Recruitment is the primary time during which women join sororities in the fall. It is a structured process and is open to any undergraduate woman, regardless of class standing. Informal Recruitment, also referred to as “Continuous Open Recruitment,” is not structured and may take place at any point in the academic year after Formal Recruitment has taken place. Due to membership caps, not all sororities may participate in Continuous Open Recruitment.
Fraternity recruitment at Widener University is formal, and occurs in the fall and spring.
Intake is the term refereed to during the new membership process for Intercultural Greek Council. Often times, you may here the Intercultural Greek Council chapters refer to their informational sessions as “rush”. This term has been accepted and approved by their national organizations as a part of a safe and successful history with orientating new members to their chapters. Intake can occur during the fall or spring semester, depending on the desire of the chapter.
Although most students who join fraternities and sororities do so during the fall semester of their freshman year, this is not the only time that students may join. Transfer students and students who have been at Widener University for a number of semesters are certainly welcome!
How do I contact the Fraternity & Sorority Life Staff
You may contact the Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life by calling 610-499-4404 or by email at pggatling@widener.edu.
What is a philanthropy or service project?
Greek members take it as part of their mission to support their inter/national philanthropies (non-for-profit causes) financially and physically. Throughout the year, each the chapter spends time fundraising and volunteering to help their particular philanthropy. Some of the philanthropies that can be found on Widener University’s campus are: Circle of Sisterhood, Make-A-Wish Foundation, St. Judes, and many more.
Service events have benefited the campus and greater Chester and Philadelphia Communities.
How will joining a chapter now benefit my student after college?
The lifelong friendships your student will make through their chapter can last into post-college years. Membership in a chapter can be a life-long experience. Joining now is really an investment in your student’s future. Wherever a member ends up after college, chances are he or she will be able to find an alumni chapter or other members of their fraternity or sorority in the area. In addition, Greeks have national networks that could be helpful in finding jobs or internships.
What can I do as a parent or family member?
Be supportive, and learn as much as you can by asking your student questions before they join. Many groups will provide written statements concerning activities, finances, and policies. Your student should be encouraged to obtain and read this information. In addition, allow your student to make their own choice (especially if you, yourself, are Greek). Your support should not end after the recruitment period, but should continue throughout your student’s years in school. Once your student joins a chapter, take advantage of the activities that the University sponsors. Get involved with your student, and attend the Parents’ Networking Brunch during Homecoming. This is a great opportunity to meet University leaders and FSL staff and student leaders. These are great opportunities for you to see your student interacting with their chapter members, and one more way for you to spend time with your student.
