Many WCU students who aren’t familiar with Greek Life probably assumes that being in a fraternity or sorority is just like being in a fancy club where all members wear matching secret letters.
What they probably don’t assume is the amount of passion and dedication that goes into becoming a Greek. They don’t know that these “clubs” formed are really a lifelong bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. And wearing these matching “secret” letters is a way of showing pride to their organization, which means the world to each Greek member.
With that being said, there are many reasons to become Greek at Western Carolina University. Greek Life at WCU consists of 19 national fraternities and sororities that students are able to choose from.
These eleven fraternities and eight sororities are all committed to the growth and success of their Greek Community. Still many students are quite unsure about the opportunities and benefits that being a part of Greek Life has to offer. Many find themselves doubting the experience simply because they aren’t well enough informed about it.
The truth is, being a part of the Greek Community is an excellent opportunity to become involved with campus as well as form bonds of friendship that will last a lifetime. The bonds that are established are some of the most rewarding that an undergraduate student could experience at Western Carolina.
Greek Life is divided between three different councils, each which consists of different chapters of organizations, and these chapters may apply to different rules and requirements based on the council they are under.
College Panhellenic Council (CPC) consists of the following five sororities: Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Zeta, Phi Mu, Alpha Gamma Delta, and Alpha Chi Omega. Fall 2010 Recruitment is scheduled to begin in August for CPC. The council will be participating in a Meet & Greet at 5 p.m. in the UC Grand Room on Monday, Aug. 23. If you are interested in being a part of the CPC sorority community, this Meet & Greet is a great opportunity to become better acquainted with the women from each chapter, as well as the rest of Greek Life that will be attending.
Inter Fraternal Council (IFC) is made up of the following eight fraternities’: Pi Kappa Alpha, Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Pi Lambda Phi, Kappa Sigma, Kappa Alpha, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and Delta Sigma Phi. IFC will begin recruiting in early September where each fraternity will be hosting several interest parties for their chapter. These events, as well as the Meet & Greet, are an opportunity to get to know the men from each fraternity and let them get to know you also.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is made up of the following sororities and fraternity’s: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, and Zeta Phi Beta. These organizations participate in membership intake in which they select, educate, and initiate their new members into a NPHC chapter. Each organization conducts intake at different times and will be holding separate informational meetings throughout the school year.
If you would like to learn more about NPHC and its chapters at WCU, please attend “Times of the Divine Nine” taking place on Sept. 17 in the UC Multipurpose Room.
All in all, if you are interested in becoming a part of Greek Life, there will also be plenty of information and the opportunity to meet some WCU Greeks at this upcoming Valley Ballyhoo on Saturday, Aug. 21 from 4:30-7 p.m.
In an attempt to meet potential new members, the Greeks living at the Village on campus will be hosting a Village Palooza on Sunday, Aug. 22. This Palooza event will allow any interested person into all the sorority and fraternity houses to see the decorative home of each organization. It also offers the Greeks the opportunity to meet some potential new members and offer them a variety of information about their sorority/ fraternity.
What most people do not know, is that all Greek Letter Organizations at WCU are built upon five basic values: Scholarship, Leadership, Community Service, Brotherhood/Sisterhood, and Ritual.
Scholarship: WCU’s Greek Community reflects the university’s high level of scholastic achievement. Many Greeks get personal guidance in planning their curriculum and may even get assistance with registration and financial aid. Also, Greeks are acknowledged for their academic successes through Greek scholarships and award programs and honor societies.
Leadership: It is widely known that Greeks are some of the most involved and connected students on campus. The Greek community at WCU is known for producing student leaders for campus organizations, community groups and events, and chapters. There are also opportunities for leadership in chapter authority and chapter representatives or officers for councils groups.
Community Service: A Large part of being Greek at WCU is dedicating time and energy to others. The Greek community is constantly giving back to the Jackson County community and its surrounding region. Throughout the academic year, the combined Greek community at WCU contributes more community service and philanthropy hours than any other organization on campus. Greeks have participated in events such as: Relay for Life, Habitat for Humanity, Children’s Miracle Network, March of Dimes, Community Table Soup Kitchen, TUCK River Clean-Up and many more.
Brotherhood/Sisterhood: Being Greek also involves maintaining a good balance between academics and an active social life. To develop as a whole person, it is essential that you connect with people inside and outside of the classroom. Being a part of the Greek community offers many social opportunities that can enrich your college life. Friendship continues to be one of the most important social values of the Greek community. As a Greek you will learn to combine your own individuality with mutual support, cooperation and teamwork.
Ritual: Ritual is the most important aspect of a Greek man or woman’s experience. The bonds formed through a particular chapters ceremony are lifelong. Ritual is the set of guidelines set for each chapter, and every member of a Greek Letter Organization should strive to live to their ritual not only every day they attend WCU, but for the rest of their lives. All Greeks at WCU strongly encourage this experience, no matter which chapter a person may decide to become a part of. The experience of being Greek alone establishes a bond between every member of Greek Life, despite the fact that they all may wear different letters.
Being Greek also involves maintaining a good balance between academics and an active social life. To develop as a whole person, it is essential that you connect with people inside and outside of the classroom. Being a part of the Greek community offers many social opportunities that can enrich your college life. Friendship continues to be one of the most important social values of the Greek community. As a Greek you will learn to combine your own individuality with mutual support, cooperation and teamwork.
In the end, Greek Life has so much to offer. It can be a life changing experience that can challenge and motivate you, preparing you for the future and offering opportunities that help you grow as a person.
If you are interested in Greek Life at WCU and would like to know more, please look at http://gogreek.wcu.edu, on Facebook or follow Greek Life at “WCUGreeks” on Twitter.
