SEVEN ADVANTAGES TO GREEK LIFE

The relevance of today's fraternities are sororities are...*

• Largest and most visible values-based organizations on campus:
  • 750,000 student members on 800 campuses in the U.S. and Canada
• Most successful leadership development program for college students:
  • 48% of all U.S. Presidents have been Greek
  • 42% of U.S. Senators are Greek
  • 30% of U.S. Congressmen/women are Greek
  • 40% of all U.S. Supreme Court Justices have been Greek
  • 30% of Fortune 500 executives are Greek
  • 10% of all listed in "Who's Who" are Greek
  • Only 3% of the U.S. population belong to a fraternity or sorority
• Largest network of volunteers in the U.S.:
  • 10 million hours of volunteer service per year (nationally)
• Largest not-for-profit student landlord:
  • Own and manage $3 billion in student housing (nationally)
• House 250,000 students in 8,000 facilities (nationally)

These statistics are only possible because of the seven advantages listed below. If you have any questions about this information, please drop us a line at getalife@washburn.edu.

* Source: North-American Interfraternity Conference, December 2002

Advantage 1: Friendship
As a member of the fraternity and sorority community, you will have the opportunity to meet students of various backgrounds with both similar and different interests. Within each chapter, there is a close bond of friendship and brotherhood/sisterhood which only the fraternity and sorority atmosphere can foster. The ideal of brotherhood/sisterhood is the principal foundation upon which each fraternity and sorority is built and from which you will receive the greatest benefit. Every member contributes to this aspect. Brotherhood/sisterhood combines the concept of individualism within the framework of mutual cooperation.

As a fraternity and sorority member you will form friendships unlike any found in other organizations. Brotherhood/sisterhood is not conformity. No fraternity and sorority is made up of members who are exactly alike. By choosing to become a member of a fraternity and sorority, you will meet brothers/sisters who grow to become your closest friends, those who will cheer you on when you're successful and who will support you when the going gets tough. From this unbreakable support system you can easily branch off into other areas of college life, knowing all the while that your brothers/sisters will be behind you no matter what.

Advantage 2: Social Activities
Offering a break from the demands of the classroom is one of the benefits of the Greek community. 

Throughout the year a fraternity and sorority will participate in many social events such as Homecoming, Parent's Weekend, pre-game tailgates, dinner dances, mixers, backyard barbecues, Greek Week, and special spring formals. These events offer you a good time and a great opportunity to meet and interact with members of the opposite sex. 

Fraternity and sorority social activities allow members to bring dates or are often held with another fraternity or sorority where you can meet many new faces. These social activities are not required, but for those of us who enjoy a good party, there is no comparison anywhere to the variety, scope, and just plain fun of fraternity and sorority social events.

Advantage 3: Academics
The academic portion of your university career is one significant determinant in your future success. A primary purpose of the fraternity and sorority community is to encourage and develop high scholastic achievement among its members. Several factors contribute to this academic atmosphere, including peer tutoring, upperclassman counseling, and chapter study hours which introduce new students to the longer and more intense studying that college requires.

Within each fraternity and sorority there are members involved in a wide variety of colleges and departments. This is quite an advantage in two ways: first, you will be able to seek help from others who may be taking or have already taken the same classes; second, there will be upperclassmen who can advise you on which classes and instructors are the best within each field of study.

Nationally speaking, just over 50% of students in colleges and universities go on to graduate. However, U.S. Department of Education data shows that members of fraternities and sororities graduate at a rate in excess of 70%! Fraternities help you meet the challenge of balancing academics while gaining the most from your collegiate experience.

The combination of friendships and brotherhood/sisterhood, intermingling with solid goals of academic excellence help you to become a well-rounded, intelligent member of the university community, and of the work force after you graduate.

Advantage 4: Career Networking
Say you've graduated or are just looking for a summer job. Now what? 

In today's economy and job market, it's going to take more than looking at want-ads and job postings. You need to network with people. 

The fraternity and sorority is one of the best ways to do just that. 

Using the resources of fraternity and sorority alumni, you may find that job you're looking for - that head start in life, all because you joined a fraternity and sorority. 

Joining a fraternity and sorority can be an investment in your future!

Advantage 5: Leadership
In the fraternity and sorority, you will be "charge" of an event or a duty. Everyone in the fraternity and sorority is a leader, whether you're an officer, on a committee, or just a participant. You will learn by doing. You'll learn how to manage a budget, run effective meetings, speak in public, motivate others ... skills that will help you in the university and throughout your life. These days it takes more than just a degree to get a good job - it takes leadership experience.

Don't just take our word for it! Here is just a sample of individuals who belonged to a fraternity or sorority...how many do you recognize?

Women
Sheryl Crow, Kerry Strugg, Ann Margret, Amy Grant, Courtney Cox, Elizabeth Dole, Leeza Gibbons, Katie Couric and many more...

Men
Elvis Presley, Steven Spielberg, Colonel Sanders, Bob Dole (Washburn alumnus), Jim Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lou Gehrig, Terry Bradshaw, Warren Beatty, Johnny Carson, David Letterman and many more...

Advantage 6: Community Service
The Greek community at Washburn University provides services to more than just members of fraternities and sororities. One of the many advantages of being a part of the Greek community is the time spent helping others in need.

The campus and surrounding Topeka community are constantly reaping the benefits of the Greek community. The commitment found in the members of fraternities and sororities can be seen in the enthusiasm they have in giving back to the community in the form of community service or philanthropies.

Philanthropies are projects and events organized by groups or individuals to benefit the surrounding community. They can involve members from one fraternity and sorority or from all members of the Greek community. What is most important is that fraternities and sororities work side-by-side to help local or national charitable organizations.

These activities provide us with a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. They are just one aspect a person can enjoy as a member of the Greek community at Washburn.

Advantage 7: Athletics
Each fraternity and sorority participates in numerous competitive sports through intramurals and Greek tournaments. 

It's difficult to get a group of people on your own to play team intramural sports, outdoor paintball, or to get a softball game together on a Sunday afternoon. Fraternities and sororities offer all of this along with the pride of sportsmanship, team spirit and competition!