7 ADVANTAGES TO
GREEK LIFE
Upon arriving at ONU, you will be faced with
numerous challenges in your first few months as well as throughout your entire
college career. In your new environment, you will be faced with establishing
new friendships and adjusting to the rigors of college academics. Many clubs,
organizations, and activities offer things such as friendship, academic
support, leadership skills, and social activities. However, only a
fraternity/sorority can provide you with all these opportunities, and many
others, in one single organization. The fraternity/sorority community is an
opportune way for you to ease into the collegiate environment, enabling you to
develop socially and intellectually.
As a member of the fraternity/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/sorority atmosphere can
foster. The ideal of brotherhood/sisterhood is the principal foundation upon
which each fraternity/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/sorority member you will form
friendships unlike any found in other organizations. brotherhood/sisterhood is
not conformity. No fraternity/sorority is made up of members who are exactly
alike. By choosing to become a member of a fraternity/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.
The academic portion of your university career is one significant determinant
in your future success. A primary purpose of the fraternity/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/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.
In the fraternity/sorority, you will be "charge" of an event or a
duty. Everyone in the fraternity/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.
All joined a fraternity!!!
Offering a break from the demands of the classroom is one of the benefits of
the Greek community. Throughout the year a fraternity/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/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/sorority social events.
The Greek community at Ohio Northern 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 Ada 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, known as Philanthropies.
Philanthropies are projects and events organized
by groups or individuals to benefit the surrounding community. They can involve
members from one fraternity/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 Community Service 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 Ohio Northern University.
Each fraternity/sorority participates in the 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/Sororites offer
all of this along with the pride of sportsmanship, team spirit, and
competition!
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/sorority is one
of the best ways to do just that. Using the resources of fraternity/sorority
members like alumni, you may find that job you're looking for - that head start
in life, all because you joined a fraternity/sorority. Joining a
fraternity/sorority can be an investment in your future!