What recommendations do you guys have for building up a small Greek life?

[Jestor]

At the particular campus I go to, it's mid-sized (approx. 7K), but we've only got three fraternities and two sororities (plus one service sorority). One of the groups we had here on campus officially dissolved this spring due to years of poor management and a lot of the social scene is dominated by the Campus Activities Board.

My own fraternity is the strongest and most populous of the fraternities at approx. 20some members, and my pledge brothers and I are determined to bring more guys in next semester and raise membership.

What are some ideas you guys have for this? We'd love to be able to increase not only our chapter, but the Greek life as a whole, to make it a stronger and more powerful force on campus.

[Betarulz!]

I think that joining with all the other chapters is going to be the most helpful and allow you to make the biggest impact.

Combination of man power and funds will make it easier for everyone too.

Throw some sort of big concert/party/something. Make sure that everyone knows you guys are throwing it, but it's open for all.

Get all the greeks to wear their letters on campus regularly.

Be model citizens. Nothing is going to hurt your efforts more than a hazing incident/alcohol problems/poor grades and the like.


You might try setting up a Greek life "task force" a group of people from each house who want to make this happen. It could serve as the PR branch of IFC and Panhel, with explicit attention paid to talking to HS students, the public, and the administration. I was president of an organization at my school called Greek Ambassadors and our biggest responsibilities were talking to HS students on senior visit day, telling them how to join, what the benefits are and so on. We also hosted an all-greek variety/talent show that collected food for the food bank as the admission price.

I really think that this is going to be something that requires all the chapters on campus to buy in. But it's doable, and I think a very positive thing. Good luck!

[Kevin]

I'd do everything Beta said (all great advice). To that, I'd add that I'd make sure that my own organization would remain on top (if I were in your shoes) in order to do so, I'd look for the most dynamic leaders on campus and recruit the hell out of them. Don't wait for whoever goes through rush, go out there and find the best guys for your chapter. If you can, try and get members elected to all of the major Campus Activity Board offices, student government, etc.

If the Greek organizations start to take over, people who want to 'be involved' will see Greek Life as something that is more of a necessity than a side trip.

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Jestor
At the particular campus I go to, it's mid-sized (approx. 7K), but we've only got three fraternities and two sororities (plus one service sorority). One of the groups we had here on campus officially dissolved this spring due to years of poor management and a lot of the social scene is dominated by the Campus Activities Board.

My own fraternity is the strongest and most populous of the fraternities at approx. 20some members, and my pledge brothers and I are determined to bring more guys in next semester and raise membership.

What are some ideas you guys have for this? We'd love to be able to increase not only our chapter, but the Greek life as a whole, to make it a stronger and more powerful force on campus.

First off, your chapter needs to redesign their website, or at least keep it updated. You have information from 2001 on the home page.

Honestly, I'm not trying to sound negative, but a lot of the smaller UW schools just aren't going to have big chapters. My chapter has been up to 60 members at a time, some of the fraternities have been up to 90, but eventually the guys will top out around 50 and the girls around 35. There are only so many qualified people who truly want to be members to go around.

I'd work on strengthening your own chapter from within before I take on anything campus-wide.

[LaneSig]

I agree with Beta. Get your campus chapters together to do some type of large philanthropy. University of Florida Greeks recently held a philanthropy day where all the groups worked on city wide projects. You could plan one in the fall that would get a lot of attention. Bring it up to your IFC rep.

[Tom Earp]

I must agree with many of the posts already made.

1. Upgrade Your Web Site. It helps to sell daily for anyone who looks at it. Future Students always look at Greek Life Sites.

2. Build with in and make the Chapter stronger.

3. Recruit instead of waiting for formal rush. My Chapter was down to one Active and We had two ELCs come in for Recruitment. They did a tremendous job.

4. Wear Your Letters Proudly and if not daily, at least several times a week. Promote Yourselves.

5. If You are doing a Charity Event, get the School and Local News Media involved to help promote it.

6. Be a leading Greek Organization first and fore most.



It sounds like Your College is about the same size as My Alma Mater, @ 6,500.

We have 6 Fraternitys and 3 Sororitys. It is out of quilter size wise with @ 50 Members of Male and 75 for females Organizations.

Work hard, keep your noses clean, recruit the cream and You will grow!

Be leaders, not followers.

[SmartBlondeGPhB]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
First off, your chapter needs to redesign their website, or at least keep it updated. You have information from 2001 on the home page.

Honestly, I'm not trying to sound negative, but a lot of the smaller UW schools just aren't going to have big chapters. My chapter has been up to 60 members at a time, some of the fraternities have been up to 90, but eventually the guys will top out around 50 and the girls around 35. There are only so many qualified people who truly want to be members to go around.

I'd work on strengthening your own chapter from within before I take on anything campus-wide.

I'm going to agree here, there will be a ceiling to the number of members you can have.

Now with that being said, the groups can be larger. My undergrad only has about 2000 students and about 25% of the students are Greek (private, liberal arts). We have 4 fraternities and 4 sororities. Total for the sororities is around 80 and they are all close, if not at/over. The fraternities are smaller, but I'm not sure what size they are.

[Jestor]

Thanks for the help, guys. I've jotted some of these notes down and passed them on to the rest of the chapter for formal rush and throughout the year next year.