Why go Greek?

Many college students ask this same question. The concerns that you have are common. Everyone has a desire to belong. Fraternities offer the opportunity to come in contact with new people who share similar interests and values and who will become your friend for life. Fraternities bring out the best in their members through strong friendships and common goals. Greek organizations have an impact on their member's lives in many ways, offering them learning and life experiences through community Service, friendship, leadership, rush, scholarship, and social activities

COMMUNITY SERVICE
Each Greek organization at LHU actively supports a national philanthropy and participates in several community service projects. The projects are one of the most rewarding aspects of being a member of a Greek organization. The philanthropies are service projects that provide sorority and fraternity members with the opportunity to help others who are less fortunate than them. Working together on these projects benefit all those involved and fosters a greater unity among chapter members.

FRIENDSHIP
Greek life is a time when friendships are cemented and closed ties are woven between members through living, studying, working, and competing together. These relationships go beyond ordinary friendship and become like those of a family…often lasting a lifetime.

LEADERSHIP
You will learn important skills and get a chance to practice them as a chapter officer or committee member. Membership in a Greek organization provides an excellent place to gain experience and knowledge, which is necessary for successful leadership. As a student at LHU you will have many opportunities through your involvement, you will find that many fraternity members are the driving force in Student Government and also hold positions in honorary societies, campus organizations, and athletics. Your college career will involve more than textbooks, classrooms, athletics, and social functions. As a Greek, you will have the opportunity to serve your chapter as an officer of committee member, and you will be able to develop skills in all areas such as organization, responsibility, communication, and decision making. If you are the type of person who likes to make decisions and be part of the action, then becoming a member of a Greek organization is for you. Through membership, you can develop your potential as a leader not only at LHU but also throughout the rest of your life.

RUSH
Rush is a time for you to meet the members of Lock Haven University’s fraternities. It is a time for students to ask questions, define financial obligations, time commitments, and membership requirements. You will have the opportunity to meet many women from each sorority who will tell you about the many advantages of Greek life and what the Greek experience has meant to them.

Rush for fraternities is open to all interested men however, first semester freshmen, or student who have earned less that 12 credit hours are ineligible to pledge or associate. The University, with IFC endorsement, requires a student to have a cumulative 2.0 GPA to join a fraternity. All prospective members must complete a university rush orientation program. Rush for IFC in 1994-1995 was very exciting! Many changes in the rush process were made that ended with successful results. The foundation was laid for a new rush at Lock Haven University- a rush that is more structured from the day it ends until the day it begins again the next year.

As a rushee, you should remember that fraternity life offers you the opportunity to grow and develop. Be careful in selecting the group to which you belong. As a rushee you should seek to pledge the organization that you will benefit from and contribute too most easily. It should be clear that there is no such thing as “best fraternity on campus.” Every rushee will have their own “best chapter-” one that represents their own individual interests and needs. Do not let your friends or families influence your decision.

Fraternity rush is a mutual selection process for joining a fraternity. The rush program allows you the opportunity to meet the members of different fraternities at LHU. Through participating in the various rush activities, you will be able to familiarize yourself with the different membership options available to you. Remember that the rush period can be hectic, but it is definitely worth it! You should plan your time schedule for rush a week in advance, making sure that you allow plenty of time for studying before the activities. Scholarship is very important to every Greek organization.

SCHOLARSHIP
The primary reason for attending college is to receive a good education, and the Greek organizations at LHU have a strong tradition of high academic standards. Each chapter promotes education through its own scholarship programs and study hours. They devote many hours to helping their members achieve academic excellence. All members are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA to remain in good standing. Interfraternity council gives an award to the chapter with the highest semester GPA and to the Greek male with the highest semester GPA. Not only is academics promoted at the university level, but also each national organization highly promotes scholarship.

SOCIAL LIFE
For many students, the Greek social life helps to make college a more fulfilling experience. The Greek social life includes sports intramurals, date functions, football games, Greek Week, and other organized social activities. Social activities are definitely one of the fun parts of being in a fraternity or sorority but remember there is a lot more that makes up a chapter than the social life.