Getting Your Parents Involved

Just because your parents might not have been apart of Greek life when they went to school doesn't mean they can't share your experience. There are many ways to get them involved in your organization so that they understand why you love it so much. It is important to share this with your parents so they realize what you are a part of on campus. 

Many sororities will have a parents luncheon, a mother tea, and/or a daddy daughter event. During any of these events it is the perfect time to introduce your parents to your best friends, your big/little, and the rest of your sisters. They will also be able to meet other parents and see who you spend the majority of your time with. Your parents will be able to better understand what you obsess over and why you love being apart of your sorority. By showing them these things they will be more supportive of the organization and your involvement in it. 

During the event, your parents will have the opportunity to learn about your philanthropies and how you give back to your community. Parents love this part because they see you are doing things to help others. Many organizations will choose to show a slideshow or a video of the amazing things the chapter does.

Overall, when your chapter holds an event like this, DON'T pass it up! It is one of the best ways to share your experiences with your family and have them understand what you love and your aspirations. This could potentially be the first time you introduce your parents to your future bridesmaids. 

Fraternity and Sorority Coat of Arms

Every Greek organization has a coat of arms that signifies what they represent.  It is similar to that of a family crest representing what it means to the family members.  A Greek coat of arms is special to each brother and sister of their organization and each one means something different.  Coat of Arms are unique in that it is viewed by anyone but only initiated members know the real meaning behind his/her crest.  Here are a few examples:

Pi Kappa Phi (fraternity)

In 1909, the fraternity developed its first coat of arms.  The current coat of arms is much different from the original. A third star and the swords were added, first turned downward, later upward. The lamp was moved to the crest and the motto was changed to the Greek, "Oudén diáspasei hēmás" or "Nothing shall ever tear us asunder."

Zeta Tau Alpha (sorority)

Only initiated members may use this in any manner, which is dignified and in good taste. The ritualistic meaning of the Coat of Arms is secret and is revealed to each member at the time of her Initiation.

Lambda Chi Alpha (fraternity)

 

The coat of arms displays our three open mottos, translated from top to bottom, “Crescent in the Cross,” “Naught Without Labor,” and “Every Man a Man.” Present are the crucicrescent, the lamp of learning, the clasped hands of brotherhood, and other symbols, as well as the inescutcheon signifying the merger with Theta Kappa Nu.

Delta Delta Delta (sorority)

The coat of arms consists of a shield quartered, first and fourth quarters in blue on each of which is a silver trident, second and third gold on each of which is a green pine tree.  Above the shield, the crest, consisting of a torse with six folds alternating gold and blue, from which rises a white, gold and blue pansy.  Below the shield the open motto, "Let us steadfastly love one another," is inscribed in Greek on a scroll.

Formal Season

Formals

            When the suns out and the skies are blue again it can only mean one thing..it’s formal season. During the Spring Semester about every sorority and fraternity holds a formal. This is a time for each organization to come together and celebrate all their hard work put they in for the entire school year. Each member from the sorority or fraternity is allowed to bring a date. A Greek formal is similar to a high school prom but you must be a part of the organization to attend or be invited as a date. Since it is a formal event you must dress to impress. Guys do not have to wear tuxes but they should wear dress pants, dress shoes a button-up shirt, a tie, and a dress jacket (this could be optional). Girls can wear either long evening dresses or short cocktail dresses depending on what the sorority or fraternity requests. The formal is usually four hours and it includes dinner, dessert and dancing. It is a great way to end the year with your sisters and brothers with a fun-filled night!

                                                       

Celebrities That Were in a Fraternity/Sorority

In this post are just a list of famous, well-known celebrities that you probably did not know was involved with a fraternity or sorority during their collegiate years.  So the top 5 men and women that were Greek include:

Top 5 Famous Fraternity Men

5.) Babe Ruth - Alpha Delta Gamma 

4.) Frank Sinatra - Alpha Phi Delta

3.) Brad Pitt - Sigma Chi

2.) Eli Manning - Sigma Nu

1.) Will Ferrell - Delta Tau Delta

Top 5 Famous Sorority Women

5.) Lucy Liu - Chi Omega

4.) Alicia Keys - Alpha Kappa Alpha

3.) Katie Couric - Delta Delta Delta

2.) Sheryl Crow - Kappa Alpha Theta 

1.) Erin Andrews - Zeta Tau Alpha

Other Interesting Facts
-Since 1825, all but 2 Presidents were in a fraternity.
-63% of the U.S President's cabinet since 1900 have been Greek.
-76% of all Congressmen and Senators belong to a fraternity.
-Of the nation's 50 largest corporations, 43 of them are headed by fraternity men.
-85% of the Fortune 500 executives were Greek.
-All of the Apollo 11 astronauts are Greek.

Leadership Possibilities

Once your are involved in Greek life there are many opportunities for you to show off your leadership abilities. You can either run for an elected position on e-board or council or you an apply for an appointed position.

E-board/Council

These are the positions that will hold your chapter together.  Different organizations name the positions differently and have different positions on their E-board. They include, President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer. Most E-boards will also have: Member Education, Membership/Recruitment, Standards or Risk Management, Operations, Philanthropy, and Panhellenic positions. These positions will be voted on by your chapter.

Once elected into one of these positions, you will have a much larger responsibility in the chapter. There will be appointed positions that are in your chain of command and report back to you. For example under Membership/Recruitment might include the brotherhood/sisterhood chair. So when he/she is planning an event they will talk with you directly to make sure the even it realistic, within the budget and okay with the rest of your e-board.


Appointed Positions

These positions are not as time consuming as being on e-board. To have an appointed position, you will fill out an application that is reviewed by the outgoing and incoming council. Together they will pick who would fill the position the best. An example of an appointed position would be the Member Educator's Assistant. As an assistant you will help plan activities and make sure you are helping your counterpart in every way possible especially if they appear stressed.


By holding a position in your organizations other members will think highly of you. It is also something you can put on your resume as experience. There is a wide variety of positions you can hold so there is a good chance that one of the positions will relate to your major. Don't be shy, get involved!

Greek Week

Greek Week is one of the most exciting times of the year for any fraternity or sorority!  After a whole year of hard work, most campuses that have a Greek life presence, engage in a fun-filled week of competitions just for the Greek community at the end of the year.  Each college has different rules for their Greek week and different events, so we will just focus on one campus just for the gist of what Greek week is all about.  We will focus on Greek week at Sacred Heart University.  On Sacred Heart's campus, Greek week is from Monday through Sunday this year.  There is a different competition each day of the week (excluding Friday) and each fraternity and sorority receives points depending on how good they do in each certain competition. This is the first year that Greek Olympic is not part of Greek week, but instead, it is an event all on its own at a later date.  Here is a break down of all the events:

MONDAY: LETTER DAY

Each member from their organization wears a shirt, sweater, hoodie, etc with their letters on it that day.  This is cool because all around campus there is just an influx of letters that day of all different organizations and color. On this day, every organization can gain the maximum amount of points allotted because it is just on a percentage basis.  Over 75% participation will gain the maximum amount of points (10).  Then 65% and 50% with 7 points and 3 points respectively. 

TUESDAY: GREEK LIFE BREAKFAST

During the Greek life breakfast, all of Greek life gets together for a free breakfast provided for them and each member has to bring in two canned goods also.  This event is also on a percentage basis just like letter day. 

WEDNESDAY: FAMILY FEUD

During family feud, each organization will have two teams in the tournament style competition.  Once a team wins, they move on to the next round.  Family feud is set up to be fraternities versus each other and sororities versus each other.  The top three fraternities and top three sororities are given 10,7, and 3 points respectively.  Also, because each organization is allowed two teams, they can possibly place two teams in the top 3 and get both the points.

THURSDAY: CLOTHESPIN GAME

Each organization will be given 30 clothespin to design and decorate.  These pins will be given out to each of the 30 members of each organization at 11am and the game will start at 12pm.  The rules are that who ever is wearing a pin must be wearing letters to signify they are clearly in Greek life.  Once someone with a pin tags someone else with a pin with two hands, they will take all their pins that they currently have (NO TAG BACKS).  The game ends at 3pm where at least 10 representative from each organization meet in a designated area.  The pins will be tallied up and the top three will get points.

FRIDAY: FLO RIDA CONCERT

This is the only day that does not count for points.  Flo Rida is the spring concert at SHU and there will be no Greek event, but instead they can all just attend the concert. 

SATURDAY: SKIT NIGHT

This event is always a big hit and very amusing.  Each organization has about 8-12 minutes to perform a skit. The theme this year is television shows so each fraternity and sorority has to incorporate a show somehow into their skit.  There are 3 judges and the top three highest scoring fraternity and sorority will receive points towards Greek week.

SUNDAY: GREEK LIFE MASS

This is also a participation event that every organization can earn maximum points for.  Each organization will congregate at the campus chapel for a mass on that Sunday afternoon. 


After all the points are tallied up from each event, one fraternity and one sorority is crowned Greek week champion and can brag for a whole year until the next Greek week!

Order of Omega

Once you are in a sorority or fraternity you will have the opportunity to join a Greek life honor society called Order of Omega.

The Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in the fall of 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men, who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their service to the fraternity system and the University.

The Chapter of Miami had long desired for their organization to expand to other colleges anduniversities. The Chapter gave its sanction to Dean Patrick W. Halloran to make initial inquiries and to further grant charters to universities that were accredited and interested in the purpose of The Order of Omega. On February 9, 1967, a Chapter was chartered at the University of Southern Mississippi. There are now over three hundred chapters in the United States with approximately ten additional campuses that are petitioning the national.

Applications for membership are reserved for Junior and Senior Greek Life members who have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.  Invitations for membership will be extended to no more than 3% of the Greek community. 

                                                         

Being in Order of Omega is great honor and opportunity to be recognized in the Greek community as a scholar and leader!