Benefits of joining
For parents
- Benefits of joining
- Greek councils
- Glossary of terms
What are the benefits of joining a fraternity or sorority?
Leadership
All Greek organizations are working examples of a democracy in action. This is often the first time that members are responsible for their own activities and living within their means, so joining a fraternity or sorority provides an excellent opportunity to experience leadership and the responsibility of membership. In addition, the chapters are more than clubs; they are corporations with $100,000 budgets managed by the members.
Friendship
One of the most mentioned aspects of Fraternity and Sorority life is the friendship that exists between members of a chapter, among both its undergraduates and alumni/ae. Fraternity and Sorority life promotes the development of close ties between members through living, studying, working, competing and having fun...together. These lifetime relationships go beyond ordinary friendship to become like that of a family.
Financial Responsibility
Greek letter organizations are self-sufficient, with each chapter collecting dues and membership fees to support their own activities and programs. For chapters with houses, charges include room and board, or fees which may vary depending on whether the member lives in or out of the chapter house. And while students should ask about a chapter's fees while going through Rush, Greek living is generally comparable to non-Greek on-campus living costs, and in many cases is less expensive.
Social Life
The social aspects of Greek letter social organizations help to make college more than just a school! Greeks often organize various social functions including theme parties, picnics and barbecues, faculty dinners, formals and trips to local attractions.
Greek housing
Housing facilities vary greatly. Some groups live in Rensselaer residence halls or renovated apartments, others in houses owned and operated by the chapters themselves. Actual living arrangements vary from chapter to chapter as to how many members reside in the house and share bedrooms. Chapters with their own houses commonly run their own meal plans, either with a paid cook or members themselves preparing meals.
Effects on academics
Academics are important in Greek Life, and are stressed by chapters from rush to graduation. The resources that Greeks can provide include scholarship awards, study sessions, files of materials, and tutoring assistance. Many chapters and national Greek organizations recognize and reward their members' scholastic excellence. According to Institute retention data, members of Greek organizations are more likely to complete their Rensselaer degree than their non-Greek counterparts.
What is rush?
Rush is a time of mutual selection between students and chapters. Not only do the 35 Greek organizations select new members, but the rushees select the chapter with which they wish to be affiliated. Rush for fraternities and sororities at Rensselaer is alcohol-free (dry) and is held in September. Students who choose to participate in Rush activities are under no obligation to join the Greek system. At the end of rush, the chapters extend formal written invitations (bids). If a student chooses to accept the bid, then he/she is affiliated with that chapter.
Joining
Once a student decides to accept a bid from a Greek chapter, he or she is oriented to the chapter through meetings; philanthropic, work, and social events; and study sessions. Programs should be structured so as to not interfere with academic responsibilities. During this period , chapter designate new members differently. Terms include pledge, associate or new member. New member education should be informative and fun, therefore physical and mental hazing are not tolerated at Rensselaer. Rensselaer, national Greek organizations, and New York State prohibit hazing.
What kind of involvement do the Greeks have with the community?
Community Service
Philanthropy is part of Rensselaer Fraternity and Sorority community. Each semester, the Greeks at Rensselaer raise thousands of dollars for and donate hundreds of hours to worthy causes. Chapters donate blood, raise money for cancer research, serve as Big Brothers and Sisters to Troy children, and help Neighborhood Associations clean and beautify their streets, to name a few.
Alumni/Alumnæ Involvement
Greek alumni/æ play a major role in advising chapters. Each chapter has at least one advisor and a housing corporation to help with day-to-day operations. They meet regularly as members of the Alumni Inter-Greek Council, which provides networking and resources for efficient chapter management.