Office of Greek Life

As members of fraternities and sororities, we participate in ritual events together.  These events are meant to not only teach us the values of our organization but also to remind us to live up to these values and expectations each day of our lives.  Sharing these rituals with our brothers and sisters builds a unique bond of loyalty that is not experienced in other campus clubs or organizations.   The bonds, formed during our early collegiate days, extend well beyond graduation.  Being Greek binds students to their institution of higher education, and members are found to give more back to colleges and universities in terms of service and financial contributions after graduation.  Studies show that the spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism continues after graduation, when Greek alumni are more likely than non-Greek alumni to get involved in community and civic groups. Fraternity and sorority members form the largest network of volunteers in the US and donate more than $7 million each year to charitable organizations.

We are driven

The national values of Greek members encourage us to be better men and women not only during our undergraduate days, but when we leave our college community as well.  In today’s competitive job market, a college degree is no longer a sufficient means of obtaining employment.  Employers are looking for people who are involved in extracurricular activities and who have people skills.  Greek life encourages you to get involved in campus life, be it in the chapter itself or in other organizations at Georgia Southern University.  Fraternity or sorority membership helps to build a solid resume and network.  Members of fraternities and sororities go onto to do great things after leaving their campus environment.  From social issues to academia, business to philanthropy, the leaders of today are gaining their edge from their fraternal experience.  This is very evident when you consider that 30% of Fortune 500 executives are Greek, and of the nation’s 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by members of fraternities and sororities.

 We are talented

Through involvement in various activities, a sorority or fraternity can help develop hidden talents and interests in its members.  Membership in a fraternity or sorority teaches skills that are easily transferable into the real world.  Membership requires students to hone skills that help them in the classroom and in their careers, including budgeting, public speaking, networking, and managing time, people, and projects.  Some talented famous Greeks include Dr. Maya Angelou, Brad Pitt, Martin Luther King. Jr., Georgia O’Keeffe, and Sara Jessica Parker.  Music star Luke Bryan was a Greek at Georgia Southern University.

 We are confident

Having the support of a group of your brothers and sisters can encourage you to try new things and take on new responsibilities – things you may have never thought you were even capable of doing.  Greek membership teaches you to inspire and encourage others to succeed.  The overall Greek experience will develop you into a mature, responsible adult, prepared to face the challenges and rigors that life may bring.  This sense of responsibility, nurtured by a commitment to your brothers and sisters, to your Greek organization, and to yourself, will be carried into every aspect of your adult life. 

 We are influential

Besides being involved in the Greek community, there are always opportunities for fraternity and sorority members to get involved in other areas of campus life.  Greek students are members of many other campus clubs and organizations, often holding leadership roles within those groups.  Fraternity and sorority members make up 11% of the student body at Georgia Southern University, and you will find Greek students represented all across campus.  After leaving college, fraternity and sorority members continue to play influential roles in their communities and in the world.  Forty-eight percent of the US Presidents have been Greek, 42% of US Senators are Greek, and both women appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court are members of sororities. 

We are intelligent

The fraternities and sororities at Georgia Southern University realize that excelling in academics is a top priority for all students.  There are GPA requirements that prospective members must meet in order to be eligible for participation in recruitment and intake, and members are held to high academic standards even after they are initiated into the group. The all-Greek GPA has traditionally been higher than the all-student GPA.  Individual chapters have scholarship chairs to assist chapter members in maintaining good grades.  Each organization also has a faculty advisor who mentors the group’s academic program, and by offering study hours and tutoring sessions, Greek life helps to promote high academic performance.  We also have two national honorary organizations that are exclusive to fraternity and sorority members, Order of Omega and Gamma Sigma Alpha.

 We are leaders

Greek organizations provide members with limitless and unique opportunities for the development of their leadership skills.  Members hold leadership positions in their own chapters and also in other campus organizations.  Each chapter has an executive board responsible for directing the chapter’s goals and activities.  Positions on the executive board include, but are not limited to, president, program development, membership development, and treasurer.  Many chapters also have programming boards or other committees that groom chapter members to take on increasing levels of leadership within their chapters and across campus.  Greek life provides the opportunity for students to attend local, state, and regional leadership conferences which introduce them to a diversity of people and ideas.  These leadership skills contribute to the fact that 10% of all those listed in Who’s Who are members of fraternities and sororities.

 We are role models

Fraternity and sorority members play an active and prominent role in Georgia Southern events and organizations.  No matter where you look on campus, Greeks are in the spotlight!  The current President of GSU is Greek; the SGA Vice President of Finance is Greek, and both the current Miss GSU and Mr. GSU are Greek.  Fraternity and sorority members also serve in important campus roles such as Southern Ambassadors, First Year Experience Peer Mentors, Minority Advisement Program Sponsors, and SOAR Leaders.

We are students

Greeks are at college, first and foremost, as students, and the Greek community can serve as an opportune way to ease into the collegiate environment, enabling you to develop both socially and intellectually.  You can find fraternities and sororities represented in every campus major, in most every campus club and honorary society, on athletic teams, and actively participating on the intramural field.  Greek organizations also help students remain in college by offering financial assistance to offset the cost of education.  There are several scholarships sponsored by the Georgia Southern University Inter-Fraternity Council and Panhellenic Association, many of the chapters on campus offer scholarships to their own members, and national organizations provide scholarship as well.

 We are eagles

Fraternities and sororities were established over a century ago by students who felt a need to enrich their college experience.  Greek life came to Georgia Southern University over three decades ago.  Since that time, fraternity and sorority membership has been instilling a sense of pride in the institution.  Attend any campus-wide athletic event or student activity program, and you will see Greek members out in full support.  Membership in a fraternity or sorority also encourages students to remain at and graduate from Georgia Southern University.  Both the retention and graduation rates of Greek students are significantly higher that those of their non-Greek peers.

We are friends

One of the most important aspects of fraternities and sororities is that they offer lifelong friendships.  Whenever members need a shoulder to cry on, someone to laugh with, or someone to have a good time with, they are always able to find a brother or sister who is there for them.  Chapters provide multiple events to help foster and strengthen these bonds.  The fraternity and sorority community at Georgia Southern University is also very close-knit, providing the chance for members to meet and develop relationships with Greeks from other chapters through educational, service, and social programming.  The brotherhood and sisterhood developed while in college extends long beyond graduation.  When you join a Greek organization, you are a member for life.  There are alumni groups all over the country that expand the bonds of Greek membership after college.  Alumni work together to offer invaluable opportunities and lifelong support and friendship.

We are brothers

A fraternity is a group of men working together toward common goals and issues.  The common bond between all fraternities is the pursuit of brotherhood.  Brotherhood is a key element of the fraternity experience and is one of the best benefits you will receive.  At Georgia Southern University, we currently have 15 Inter-Fraternity Council fraternities and 4 National-Panhellenic Council fraternities.   The diversity found among these organizations means that everyone can find their place in our Greek community.

 We are sisters

Joining a sorority truly does make Georgia Southern University a “home away from home.”  Sorority members help you find a niche for yourself with the larger university community.  We currently have 6 Panhellenic Association sororities and 3 National Pan-Hellenic Council sororities here on campus.  These groups offer membership to women from all walks of life.

 We are Greek

By joining a fraternity or sorority, you are given an opportunity that not many people have.  People ask why we are Greek.  And, we try to explain all the things that fraternities and sororities are that you cannot see.  Greek membership is more than letters on a sweatshirt; more than traditional songs; a golden pin; ritual; an obligation; or a way of life.  Fraternities and sororities are learning about people and about yourself; giving without expecting a return; receiving without knowing it; earning respect from others as well as for yourself.  Greek membership will not solve all your problems, but you will find good friends, confidence, and help to take life one step at a time.  Life is filled with decisions.  How you make the most of your time at Georgia Southern University will depend on the decisions you make each and every day for the next four years.  We hope that you will make joining a fraternity or sorority one of those decisions.