Advantages

There will be many challenges to be faced at Grand Valley. You will have to establish new friends and adjust to college academics. There are many organizations, clubs and activities here that offer friendship, academic support, leadership skills and social activities. However, only a fraternity/sorority can provide you with all of these opportunities, and many others, in a single organization. Greek Life is an excellent way for you to ease into college life, enabling you to develop socially & intellectually.


Advantage #1 Friendship & Brotherhood/Sisterhood

As a member of the Greek community, you will have the opportunity to meet students of various backgrounds with both similar and different interest in a smaller, more comfortable atmosphere than our University of 25,000 usually offers. Within each of the chapters, there is a close bond of friendship and family which only the Greek atmosphere can foster. The ideal of brotherhood/sisterhood is a cornerstone upon which each fraternity/sorority is built and from which you will receive the greatest benefit. Every person contributes to this aspect. The Greek system combines the concept of individualism within the framework of mutual cooperation.

As a member of a Greek organization you will form friendships unlike those found in other organizations. Greek membership is not conformity. No sorority or fraternity is made up of members who are exactly alike. By choosing to enter Greek Life, you will meet those who will become your closest friends, those who will cheer you on when you're successful and cheer you on when the going gets tough. From this unbreakable support system you can easily branch off into other areas of college life, knowing all the while your Greek family is behind you no matter what.


Advantage #2 Leadership

In a fraternity or sorority, you will be in "charge" of an event or a duty. Everyone in the Greek family is a leader, whether you're an officer, on a committee, or a participant. You will learn by doing. You will learn how to manage a budget, run effective meetings, speak in public, and motivate others ... skills that will help you in college and throughout your life. These days it takes more than just a degree to get a good job - it takes leadership experience. Greek Life provides the most successful leadership development program for college students. Greeks are the largest and most visible values based organizations on campus.


Advantage #3 Community Service

The GVSU Greek community provides services to more than just its members. One of the many advantages of being part of the Greek community is time spent helping others in need.

The campus and the Allendale/Grand Rapids area are constantly reaping the benefits of the Greek community. The commitment found in Greek members can be seen in the enthusiasm they have in giving back to the community in community service, also known as philanthropies.

Philanthropies are projects and events organized by groups or individuals to benefit the surrounding communities. They can involve members from one Greek organization or from the entire Greek community. They can also be working with other campus groups throughout the year. What is most important is that Greek organizations work side by side to help local or national charitable organizations and the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction these activities provide.

Nationally, Greeks provide the largest network of volunteers in the United States and contribute 10 million hours of volunteer service each year.


Advantage #4 Career Networking

Greek membership is for a lifetime. One of the greatest benefits that comes with being a member of the Greek community are the relationships you make with former students, providing many opportunities for career networking and mentoring, not only with your initial job search but also throughout your career. Football games, chapter anniversary dinners, conferences, conventions, and other events foster interaction with alumni. Alumni/graduate chapters located throughout the nation provide opportunities for continued involvement after graduation. Because their Greek experience was so meaningful, many alumni give back to their organization by volunteering their time on a chapter advisory board, housing corporations board, or as a regional or district officer.


Fraternity & Sorority Life is a part of the Office of Student Life, which is a department of the Division of Student Affairs of Grand Valley State University.



Page last modified April 15, 2021