Greek Life

Greek Life at the University of Illinois Congratulations! Your college career is off to a great start! The University of Illinois is among the nation's elite Universities and part of the Big Ten! University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) also has the largest Greek community in the nation and you could be a part of it! * A U.S. Government study shows that over 70% of all those who join a fraternity/sorority graduate, while under 50% of all non-fraternity/sorority persons graduate. * Greek individuals are more involved in campus activities and in community and charity groups after college. * In Fall of 2003 35% of the Greek Community was on the Dean's List. Greek life offers its members far more than an active social life. The friendships, leadership and scholarship skills that are gained through Greek membership are eternal. They will not only stay with you after graduation, they will also improve your life. Greek Life Stands For: SCHOLARSHIP! Greek men and women strive for excellence in academics. The all-Greek GPA is higher than the all-University GPA. Many organizations have study hours and programming to enhance academic performance. Greek Life Stands For: LEADERSHIP! The Greek Community at Illinois offers many opportunities for leadership experience and training. In each chapter there are various positions (President, Vice President, Recruitment Chair, Philanthropy Chair, etc.) to expand leadership skills. On a campus-wide level the Greek community offers multiple opportunities to excel in leadership roles. Greek Life Stands For: BROTHERHOOD AND SISTERHOOD! Choosing to join a Greek organization gives the opportunity to meet many different types of people. After joining a Greek organization, there is a chance to meet a group of friends and begin to develop friendships that will last a lifetime. Chapters will develop their brotherhood and sisterhood in many ways. The majority of Greeks will live in their chapter houses and many will find it to be some of their best bonding times in college. Chapters also plan brotherhood and sisterhood events that will differ from chapter to chapter. Some events that usually take place are barbecues, social dinners, movie nights, ice skating and trips to the apple orchard. After graduation, the bonds of friendship made in each chapter will develop into respected alumni chapters. These alumni chapters can be found all over the United States and around the world. At the end of the Recruitment period/Intake there is an opportunity to have a new set of sisters or brothers and will begin on a journey to develop friendships that will last long after college. Chapters with houses also plan social dinners and other events to bring the members of the chapter, living in the house or out of the house, closer together. Greek Life Stands For: SERVICE! Most fraternities and sororities have a national philanthropy or participate in local philanthropies (not-for-profit organizations) for which they spend time raising funds and volunteering. The philanthropy and philanthropic efforts are important to every chapter and an average of $7 million is raised every year by Greeks nationally. In addition, 850,000 hours are volunteered by Greeks each year (Statistics taken from www.unl.edu/greeks). Some of the philanthropies represented on the UIUC campus are Ronald McDonald House, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Alzheimer's Research, Parkinson's Research, Children's Miracle Network and many more. Many Greeks unite to participate in other chapter's philanthropic events, helping to raise awareness and funds for that chapter's philanthropy. Service is also an important part of Greek Life. Chapters participate in community service projects such as Adopt-A-School, tutoring, can food drives, and collecting clothes and food for local shelters such as A Women's Place. Greek Life Stands For: SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT! Joining a Greek organization can also provide social development on campus. Fraternities and sororities have events together (exchanges/after sets) and separately (brotherhood/sisterhood events). Some Greek social events are fundraisers and other philanthropic activities. Social functions are not mandatory, but they are a great opportunity for members of Greek organizations to meet one another. Greek Life Stands For: DIVERSITY! At the University of Illinois we are known for having one of the most diverse Greek communities in the country - 6000 members strong! Each of our social chapters is individually diverse and our members come from various interests and backgrounds. Diversity is celebrated and appreciated within the Greek Community.