Emory | OSFL : Joining: Why Should I Join?

Office of Sorority
and Fraternity Life
DUC Drawer WW
Atlanta, GA 30322
404.727.4142
Email Us

There are many advantages to being affiliated with a Greek-lettered organization while in college.

ADVANTAGE #1: LEADERSHIP
ADVANTAGE #2: SCHOLARSHIP
ADVANTAGE #3: PHILANTHROPY & SERVICE
ADVANTAGE #4: BROTHERHOOD & SISTERHOOD
ADVANTAGE #5: STATISTICS

The sorority and fraternity community at Emory prides itself on the opportunities it provides students for leadership development. Members have endless opportunities to assume leadership positions within each chapter and the entire community. The OSFL encourages chapter members to become involved in other campus organizations as well. Many students are involved with Volunteer Emory, College Council, Student Government, Student Programming Council and Residence Life. Members of the sorority and fraternity community can also become involved with organizations not open to unaffiliated students: the Interfraternity and Intersorority Councils, Greek Life Assistants Program, Order of Omega, GAMMA, and Greek Week Committee.

Greek-lettered organizations were founded on principles of scholastic achievement and the enhancement of opportunities for their members. This tradition holds true for sorority and fraternity members at Emory, where academic commitments continue to receive the highest priority. Individual chapters also encourage scholastic excellence by planning their own incentive programs and by placing grade requirements on both initiated and new members. Chapters ease this transition by offering academic programs that may include study groups, tutoring, and time management workshops. The resources available to sorority and fraternity members provide students with the opportunity to balance high academic achievement and co-curricular activities. Members of Emory sororities and fraternities consistently have higher grade point averages than the Emory all female and male averages.

Sororities and fraternities provide members with the opportunity to give back to the surrounding community through service (engaging in activities to directly help others) and philanthropies (raising money for charitable organizations). Chapters at Emory sponsor, co-sponsor, and/or participate in more service and fund-raising activities than other organizations, raising thousands of dollars annually for various philanthropies and providing hundreds of hours of service each year. Sorority and fraternity members tutor local children, work at local shelters and soup kitchens, and contribute to many other activities that promote education through service learning. To compliment service initiatives, every chapter plans at least one philanthropic event a year and donates the proceeds to a charity of their choice.

Fraternities and sororities constitute one of the largest student groups on campus and they provide opportunities for academic success, community service, lasting social networks, and positive group experiences. The challenges and rewards of college life can be enhanced through fraternity and sorority membership. Membership in a fraternity or sorority can be like having a home away from home. Sorority and fraternity life adds a dimension to college life that isn’t found in other organizations. Joining a Greek-lettered organization offers so much and each person derives something unique from the experience. For some, it serves as a support network and place to develop friendships. For others it offers the chance to become involved with community service or philanthropic projects, leadership opportunities, and scholastic achievements. For most, it is all of these things plus a lifelong bond of sister and brotherhood, which only the Greek experience can foster.

Over 85% of student leaders, on more than 700 campuses, are involved in sorority and fraternity life.

Since 1825, when the first fraternity was founded, all but eight U.S. Presidents have been fraternity members.

Of the nation’s 50 largest corporations, 43 are led by sorority women and/or fraternity men.

After graduation, members of Greek-lettered organizations donate significantly more to charitable organizations than their non-affiliated peers.

A U.S. Government Department of Education study shows that over 70% of all those who join a sorority or fraternity graduate, while under 50% of all unaffiliated persons graduate.