ACTIVE: an initiated member of a fraternity or sorority
AFFILIATE: a student who has accepted an invitation to membership from a chapter
BID: an invitation to join a fraternity or sorority
BROTHER: a term used by fraternity members when referring to each other
CHAPTER: local group of an (inter)national Greek organization
FRATERNITY: Greek organization for men or women
INITIATION: a ceremony that brings an affiliate member into membership of a fraternity or sorority
(INTER)NATIONAL ORGANIZATION: a national or international Greek letter organization of which each chapter is affiliated
LEGACY: a potential member of a fraternity or sorority who is a child/sibling/grandchild of a member of a Greek organization
LINE: reference to a group in historically Black Greek organizations
LODGE: non-residential fraternity facility used for meetings and social space
POTENTIAL MEMBER: man or woman going through the Recruitment process for Greek membership
RECRUITMENT: selection process in which fraternities and sororities gain new members
RECRUITMENT COUNSELOR (RHO CHI, PX): sorority member who has disaffiliated from her chapter to serve as an impartial counselor to potential members during the Recruitment period
RITUAL: traditional, secret ceremonies of a chapter
SISTER/SOROR: a term used by sorority members when referring to each other
The Greek community at the University of Richmond is comprised of fifteen
(inter)nationally affiliated Greek letter organizations. Many students find that joining a fraternity or sorority provides them a home away from home and a foundation upon which to build a new and exciting future. In addition, the University of Richmond Greek community opens many doors by providing leadership, academic, athletic, service, and interpersonal opportunities. The decision to join a Greek letter organization is a lifelong commitment with an organization that stands for the best things college has to offer.
Each semester, the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils sponsor a number of organized "Recruitment" events – opportunities for non-affiliated students to become acquainted with the Greek system. During Recruitment, non-affiliated students have the opportunity to visit all of the fraternities and sororities to meet the members and decide which, if any, of the chapters best suit their needs. The Recruitment process is one of mutual selection in which fraternity and sorority members invite individuals to be a part of their organizations, and likewise, potential members select the chapters that are best suited for them. Recruitment at the University of Richmond is alcohol-free: that is, NO alcohol is allowed at any formal Recruitment activity. Even if students are unsure about joining the Greek system, Recruitment offers a great opportunity to meet new people!
Greek letter organizations were founded on the principle of academic achievement. Scholastic success is in the student’s favor when you factor in help from fellow brothers and sisters, study tables and sessions, workshops about study skills, test taking strategies, time management, and class scheduling assistance. Each fraternity or sorority provides some form of scholastic assistance to their members; tutoring, awards, and academic scholarships are just a few of the many incentives used to challenge members to reach their highest academic potential. Ultimately, the responsibility for succeeding in the classroom is up to the individual student. But, with the broad range of resources and incentives provided by the Greek community, students can better achieve their academic potential.
Becoming a member of the Greek system will provide you with a number of experiences that will help you prepare for not only a career, but also for life. These advantages include developing leadership skills by chairing a committee or assuming an executive board position; succeeding academically with the help of organized study hours; increasing awareness and knowledge of a variety of topics such as alcohol awareness, risk management, multiculturalism, and acquaintance rape prevention; and developing enduring friendships and memories that last long after graduation. The following are but a few areas in which you can benefit through participation in Greek Life at the University of Richmond:
Leadership
At the University of Richmond, the Greek system is committed to providing its members with vast opportunities for leadership responsibilities. Each member is encouraged to actively participate in chapter and campus-wide leadership roles. Greek members also develop leadership skills through leadership retreats, national conventions, and other resources available on campus, in addition to the learning and self-discovery associated with holding a leadership position.
Scholarship
The Greek system strives for the development of academic excellence among all members. All chapters at the University of Richmond maintain GPA requirements for both membership and for assuming major leadership positions. There is a commonly held belief or stereotype that joining a fraternity or sorority is harmful to one's studies and grades. The University of Richmond reviews grade performance each semester for Greek-affiliated and non-Greek students. Studies over the past several years have shown that there is virtually no difference in grade performance between these groups. Obviously, individual differences can be dramatic at times on both sides of the equation, but a fair and complete review has shown that on average there is no statistical difference between these groups of students.
Service
Community service and philanthropy work are an important aspect of Greek Life at the University of Richmond. Chapters offer hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars each year to fulfill their commitment to both the campus and the community. Funds raised and time donated directly benefit local and national charitable organizations.
Social
The Greek system provides a unique social life which blends events such as formal dances, sports, Greek Week, theme parties, and brotherhood and sisterhood functions to encourage the personal development of members through social contact. Each chapter develops its own social calendar and is encouraged to responsibly plan events which promote a full spectrum of social activities for its members.
Athletics Greek organizations offer a special opportunity to become actively involved in athletics at the University of Richmond. Greek organizations are active participants in the campus intramurals program, and many chapter members are involved in campus-wide varsity athletics as well.
An Athletic Accord between the UR Athletic Department and the Office of Student Activities/Greek Life defines the priorities of an athlete to be 1.) Academics, 2.) NCAA Athletics, 3.) Greek Organizations.
One of the tremendous assets of affiliation with a Greek letter organization is the nationwide network of
alumni/ae members of the organization. As a student prepares for entry into the career world,
alumni/ae members can assist in job placement through their knowledge of where jobs are and who is hiring. In addition, Greek Life will assist students in developing transferable skills that will be needed in the career world, such as management, leadership development, communications, and more!
Joining a fraternity or a sorority does have a financial commitment. The chapters are self-supporting through dues paid by their members. When students join a Greek letter organization, they also agree to pay dues and fees while in school to maintain membership. Although chapters may make accommodations for special needs, students should discuss the financial obligations with their parents before deciding to join.
Each chapter has different dues for membership that cover such things as chapter and national dues, dues to the Greek governing council, social activities, resources, and other miscellaneous costs. Specific financial information for each organization is available during Recruitment.
There is no minimum or maximum time that a student must donate to the fraternity or sorority. Through involvement with the chapter, students will learn to better manage their time by balancing academics, work, and other commitments. Students find that being active in a fraternity or sorority is well worth the time they put into it.
Many people have the misconception that the image of Greek organizations depicted in
Animal House is really what is happening on college campuses across America. In reality, the
Animal House image of Greek Life could not be further from the truth.
The University of Richmond Greek community promotes responsibility in our activities. The Greek governing councils encourage responsibility in a number of ways. Through judicial boards, chapters, and governing councils, we hold accountable those members of the Greek system who do not act appropriately.
Fraternities and sororities were founded on strong moral, social, and academic principles. Hazing, or any activity which subjects members to harassment, intimidation, physical exhaustion, or mental distress is entirely contrary to those founding principles. Each of the
(inter)national organizations at the University of Richmond as well as University policy and state law forbid hazing in all student activities at the University.
Membership in a Greek letter organization is a lifetime commitment. Choosing the Greek community means working with a group of men or women who can exchange and stand for common goals and ideas while being held to a higher standard than other college students. The Greek experience during the college years is a gateway to many rewards and connections later in life.
Each of the fifteen chapters develop a special bond often called brotherhood or sisterhood. Both are nurtured through common work, laughter, service projects, intramurals, and the shared successes and frustrations of all. Throughout the student's life, membership will be an unwritten bond of friendship no matter what course his/her life takes.
