91�첥

Learn the lingo of Greek life at 91�첥 University.

 

Active: a current student who is a member of a Greek organization.

 

Bid: a formal invitation to join a Greek organization.

 

Weeks of the Greeks: the two weeks prior to spring break when Greek organizations lead pledge classes through activities that teach pledges about their group and build camaraderie with each other.

 

New Member: an individual who has accepted a bid to join a Greek organization and is in the process of completing pledging activities.

 

Pledging Activities: activities designed to teach pledges about the values of their organization and build relationships among pledges and actives. Each group leads activities that are unique to their organization, but all activities take place during the same time periods throughout Greek Week. All fraternities and sororities are required to have a sponsor present throughout all pledging activities.

 

New Member Class: a group of individuals who are in the process of joining a Greek group during the same Greek Week. Pledges classes can be comprised of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

 

Pledging Hours: designated time periods during Greek Week in which fraternities and sororities facilitate pledging activities.

 

Potential: a student who is eligible for membership but not yet pledged to a Greek organization.

 

Rush: the new member recruitment process that takes place each spring.

 

What you need to know about rushing and bids

 

The first steps to rushing are attending greek life events on campus and especially open houses at the end of the fall semester. Then the official rush parties start in the spring semester. Each group will have their first rush parties which are open to everyone and you should definitely attend as many as possible! Second and third rush parties are usually invite only. After the third rush party the groups decide who they want to give a bid, or invitation into the group to. Those are delivered by members to individuals on bid morning which usually falls on a Saturday. Those individuals then decided whether they would like to accept their bid. If they do decide to accept, greek week will start that day.

 

Who is eligible to join a Greek organization at 91�첥 University?

To be eligible to join a fraternity or sorority, an individual must be a full-time 91�첥 University student with a cumulative GPA of 2.25 or higher – although a few groups have chosen to have a higher minimum GPA requirement. All eligible students must have also completed one semester of classes at the college or transferred in a minimum of 12 credits from an accredited institution (those credits must be on file with the Registrar’s office by the beginning of the spring semester). Dual credits obtained during high school will not be counted toward the 12 credit hour minimum. If necessary, the college reserves the right to deem a student ineligible to join a Greek organization due to behavior or disciplinary problems.

 

I’m not a first-year student, can I still go Greek?

Of course! Many students decide to go Greek after their first year at 91�첥. While it’s true that most members pledge during their freshman or sophomore year, there is no rule against upperclassmen rushing or pledging.

 

How many rush events should I attend if I am considering going Greek?

It’s important that individuals who want to join a Greek organization make informed decisions when determining which group fits them best. The best way to assess if an organization fits you is to meet their active members and find out if you support their organization’s core values. Each group may host up to four recruitment events through the school year. The two first recruitment events each group hosts – an introductory event in the fall and an official rush kickoff event early in the spring semester – are open to all eligible students. The last two recruitment events each group hosts in the spring are by invitation only.

 

What if I’m interested in rushing a particular organization or learning more about them but can’t attend one of their rush events?

If you’re interested in a group but can’t make it one of their events, let them know in advance. The group could invite you to future recruitment events.

 

If I participate in rush, am I guaranteed a bid to at least one organization on campus?

The Greek community at 91�첥 University does not guarantee that everyone who attends a rush event will receive a bid. This system allows each group to recruit members they know will fit their culture and uphold their values. It also ensures individuals who have received a bid that the members of that organization sincerely want a potential member to be a part of their group.

 

I have a family member who is an alum of a 91�첥 University Greek organization; does that mean I automatically get a bid to join the group to which they belonged?

Each fraternity and sorority has their own policy regarding legacy members. For more information on a group’s legacy policy, please contact their organization directly or Jayma Ausdemore, Director of Student Engagement and Greek Life.

 

How and when will I know if a group wants me to join?

Groups deliver formal invitations called “bids” to each person they invite to join their organization. Bids are delivered to recipients’ residence hall rooms or off-campus locations. All bids are distributed between 8-10 a.m. the first Saturday of Greek Week.

 

What if I won’t be on campus or am unavailable during the time period when bids are distributed?

If you will not be in your residence hall room or if you live off campus, you need to give the Greek System Director a phone number where you can be reached that morning. You will receive a call with bid information if you are unable to receive a bid in person.

 

How do I accept a bid?

Bid recipients must return bids to the Perry Campus Center Board Room between 10-11 a.m. the morning they are received. The ballots and boxes where bids are to be returned are provided in the Perry Campus Center Boardroom. Each group has their own ballot box for returning bids. Individuals joining a Greek organization accept a bid by signing it. Unaccepted bids are returned to groups unsigned.

 

How many bids can I accept?

Students may rush as many groups as they want in the process of deciding which group fits them best, but they may only accept a bid from one organization.

 

What do I do if I don’t want to accept a bid?

Individuals joining a sorority should leave the bid unsigned and return it to the Perry Campus Center Board Room the morning it is received. Those joining a fraternity do not need to take any action and it will be assumed they decline their bid(s) if they do not complete a ballot in the board room.

 

The Greek system at 91�첥 University is comprised of local organizations. What are the benefits to joining a group that doesn’t have a national affiliation?

There are three main benefits for individuals who join a local fraternity or sorority rather than an organization with a national affiliation. The first is that belonging to a local system allows groups to maintain complete control of how their organization operates. This is important because it allows groups to grow and develop in ways that are relevant to their particular campus without forcing them to adapt to a larger organization that may be out of touch with their particular campus environment. In addition, members of a local organization pay dues that are far below the cost of belonging to a national organization, making it significantly less expensive to belong to a local organization rather than a national one. Moreover, joining the 91�첥 University Greek system allows students to be a part of the most tightly knit alumni network associated with our college. Each Greek organization has several hundred alumni spread across the country and around the world available for career networking purposes.

 

What you need to know about pledging and Greek Week

 

When does New Member Education start and how long does it last?

NME activities start the first Saturday of Greek Week.  All new members are required to attend a meeting at 11:30 a.m. before they are eligible for participating in activities. (New Members who cannot attend this meeting must meet with the Greek System Director individually before participating in NME activities.) All new members are invited and encouraged to attend a luncheon following the meeting. Official NME activities start at 1 p.m. that Saturday and occur every day for a set period of time through the following Saturday.

 

What are new member education activities like?

Because each group on campus is different, they have different activities, but all activities are designed to teach new members about their organization and build camaraderie among their members. All activities are closely monitored by the college, and each fraternity and sorority is required to have a sponsor present at all times during new member education hours.

 

What if I’m joining a group and can’t attend all new member activities for my group?

It’s important for new members to be present during as much of the NME process as possible. However, conflicts do arise. It’s each new member’s responsibility to communicate with their group in advance of when they will need to be absent from NME activities so their group can manage the situation accordingly.

The Greek Life Awards program is a way to honor and recognize 91�첥’s Greek Life community for the great work they do throughout the year. Nominate Greek students or their Greek organizations to help highlight the community. 

 

Greek Council Member of the Year

This award is given to two members of Greek Council who went above and beyond in service to the council and the greater Greek community. These students exemplify the mission and values of our Greek System and work for the betterment of the Greek Council and Greek System. These students have made a significant impact on the council and in our system. 

 

To nominate an individual, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A short essay illustrating how the student contributed to Greek Council and the greater Greek community
• One letter of support from a member of Greek Council

 

Outstanding Academic Excellence

This award seeks to recognize one Greek organization that demonstrates a high commitment to academics, promotes lifelong learning, and engages with the academic mission of 91�첥 University. Academic excellence includes academic performance of the group's membership and supportive and accountability measures implemented by the group to promote high academic performance.

 

To nominate a group, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A list or a copy of any/all academic support/accountability measures or programs the group performs
• A short essay illustrating how the group exemplifies this award
• One letter of support from an active member who has benefitted from their group's academic support programs or academic accountability measures

 

Outstanding Community Service Project

This award seeks to recognize one Greek organization that demonstrates a high commitment to generosity and personal engagement with others, and that has conducted a community service project for 91�첥 University or the Crete community. Community service projects considered for this award include any project organized by the group that provides direct interaction of members with an agency, community or service that needs assistance through the time and talent of members.

 

To nominate a group, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A detailed outline of the service event planned, including individual responsibilities of members
• A short essay on the outcomes of the service event and who benefitted from the service
• One letter of support from an active member of the Greek organization illustrating the personal and group impact the project had

 

Outstanding Philanthropy Project

This award seeks to recognize one Greek organization that hosted an event for 91�첥 University or the Crete community that collected funds and/or goods to support a charity, program or agency. Philanthropy events considered are any event organized and conducted by the group as a means to raise funds and/or goods for a philanthropic effort. 

 

To nominate a group, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A detailed outline of the philanthropy event planned, including how money and/or goods were collected and individual responsibilities of members
• A short essay on the outcomes of the philanthropy event and who benefitted from the event
• One letter of support from an active member of the organization illustrating the personal impact of the project, the impact of the project on the whole Greek group, and what the charity, program or agency gained from this project

 

Outstanding Alumni Relations

This award seeks to recognize one Greek organization for outstanding alumni relations, through programming, outreach, communication, etc. The award will be based on cumulative efforts of the group to build and maintain relationships with their alumni base. 

 

To nominate a group, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A detailed outline of all alumni relations programs, outreach, communication, etc. hosted by the group. 
• A short essay detailing the impact of the group's alumni relations efforts
• One letter of support from an active member of the Greek organization illustrating how the alumni relations program has benefitted them
• One letter of support from an alumni of the Greek organization illustrating how the alumni relations program has benefitted them

 

Outstanding Greek Advisor

This award seeks to recognize a Greek organization advisor who exemplifies the mission and values of the Greek system, contributes significantly to the success of the local chapter and demonstrates exceptional mentorship for members of the Greek group. All current Greek advisors are eligible to receive this award. There is no requirement for length of time involved as an advisor.

 

To nominate a Greek Advisor, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A short essay illustrating how the advisor exemplifies the above criteria
• Two letters of support from members of the Greek organization the advisor is affiliated with

 

Outstanding New Member

This award seeks to recognize newer members who are seen as emerging leaders in the Greek Life community at 91�첥 University. An Outstanding New Member should show a commitment to living out their organization's mission and values, exemplify leadership in their Greek organization and make significant contributions to their Greek organization or the Greek system.

 

To nominate a person, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A short essay illustrating the student's leadership and contributions
• One letter of support from an active member of the Greek organization the new member is in
• One letter of support from a member of the same pledge class 

 

Outstanding Greek President

This award seeks to recognize the contributions, dedication and hard work of Greek organization presidents who served the Greek community during the last academic year. The student should have demonstrated a commitment to the mission and values of their organization and the Greek system, exceptional leadership skills, ability to overcome adversity and character.

 

To nominate a person, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A short essay illustrating how the student has exemplified this award
• Two letters of support from current active members of the organization
• One letter of support from a current Greek advisor of the organization

 

Greek Woman of the Year

This award seeks to recognize and highlight the outstanding contributions of one woman in the 91�첥 University Greek Life community. This student should exemplify the mission, values and purpose of their organization and the Greek Life community as a whole. This student should have made significant contributions and impacted the Greek Life community overall during their tenure as a member.

 

To nominate a person, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A short essay illustrating the contributions of the student
• One letter of support from the current Greek advisor of the organization to which the student belongs
• One letter of support from an active member of the student's Greek organization
• One letter of support from an active member of a different Greek organization 

 

Greek Man of the Year

This award seeks to recognize and highlight the outstanding contributions of one man in the 91�첥 University Greek Life community. This student should exemplify the mission, values and purpose of their organization and the Greek Life community as a whole. This student should have made significant contributions and impacted the Greek Life community overall during their tenure as a member.

 

To nominate a person, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A short essay illustrating the contributions of the student
• One letter of support from the current Greek advisor of the organization to which the student belongs
• One letter of support from an active member of the student's Greek organization
• One letter of support from an active member of a different Greek organization 

 

Sorority of the Year

This award seeks to recognize one sorority that demonstrated excellence in all endeavors and represents the highest qualities of Greek Life at 91�첥 University through the shared values of academic excellence, personal and professional development, sisterhood and service. 

 

To nominate a sorority, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A short essay illustrating how the sorority represents the highest qualities of Greek Life at 91�첥 University through the shared values
• One letter of support from one of the sorority's advisors
• One letter of support from the sorority's president
• One letter of support from a new member of the sorority
• One letter of support from an alumnae of the sorority

 

Fraternity of the Year

This award seeks to recognize one fraternity that demonstrated excellence in all endeavors and represents the highest qualities of Greek Life at 91�첥 University through the shared values of academic excellence, personal and professional development, brotherhood and service. 

 

To nominate a fraternity, please submit the following in an email to [email protected]:

• A short essay illustrating how the fraternity represents the highest qualities of Greek Life at 91�첥 University through the shared values
• One letter of support from one of the fraternity's advisors
• One letter of support from the fraternity's president
• One letter of support from a new member of the fraternity 
• One letter of support from an alum of the fraternity

 

If you have any questions regarding this process or a specific award, please email Phil Foster, Assistant Director of Campus Engagement and Greek Life at [email protected].