Joining Greek life was by far one of the best decisions I have made in college. People from all over the place can confirm this and can agree that Greek life has made them a better person all around. The family environment, the service opportunities, the personal growth, everything, it's all such an amazing experience. However, there are many stereotypes out there that make it seem that being in a sorority or fraternity is a bad thing. Often times, it is those who are not affiliated with an organization that believe these stereotypes. Luckily, the Greek community can offer opinions based on experience and by sharing their stories as to how Greek life has changed them for the better. While Greek life at Valparaiso University is clearly similar to other campuses', it also differs (in good ways) which makes Greek life here so much greater.
1. Zero-tolerance hazing policy
At other schools, people worry about being hazed when going through recruitment or even after joining an organization. However, knowing that Valpo follows the zero-tolerance hazing policy, many students feel much more comfortable going through recruitment and joining a sorority or fraternity here because they know there will be no hazing.
2. Service oriented
Greek life is famously known for service. Whether it's volunteering at an event, or even going to other states to do community service for your spring break, there is always a chance to volunteer. Fun fact: Valpo Greek life gave 12,000 hours of community service and raised more than $72,500 for local and national non-profit organizations within a year span.
3. Academics over everything
At Valpo, we value academics. In order to even join an organization, you are required to have a 2.5 GPA minimum (Some organizations, however, require a 2.8) and must maintain it throughout your collegiate years. On average, Greek life members have a higher GPA and are more likely to graduate compared to others.
4. Deferred recruitment
New members must be at least a second-semester freshman in order to join an organization. This is great because it gives you the chance to transition from high school to college a little smoother and stops you from having to make a big decision within a few weeks of starting the college experience. It gives you a more holistic environment so you are able to experience college without Greek life, make other connections, and be able do just do your own thing for a while.
5. Inter-fraternal relationships are positive and supportive
On other campus's, organizations compete with each other. However, at Valpo, there is a strong connection with each organization. We go to each other's events, social or philanthropical, and get along very well. You will always see one organization supporting the other or having Mixers with each other, after all, we are all part of the same Greek community!
6. You get to choose the one that feels like home
Throughout recruitment, you get the chance to meet every sorority on campus. While it might be a little overwhelming, it allows you to meet everyone and choose based on which one feels like home and not by which one all of your friends joined.
While it's different for guys, they still get the chance to meet a majority of the fraternities if they go to the events. Since it's a smaller campus, you will be fully aware of when a frat is having an event for recruits.
7. More community involvement
A majority of Greek life members are not only involved in a sorority or fraternity but in many other clubs and organizations as well. Since you meet so many new people in your new family, you will never have to try out other clubs alone and for sure will always have someone else who might also be interested in that same event. You also get recommendations from others when you are trying to decide whether or not to try out a club or organization.
8. Friendships with non-Greek life members
Some people believe that when you join an organization, you will stop talking to those who did not go through recruitment and will only talk to those within your organization. THIS IS NOT TRUE. You will still have a lot of great friends that did not go Greek and sometimes, even your best friend will be someone who did not go through recruitment.
9. Smaller chapter sizes
Another great thing about Greek life at Valpo is that you are guaranteed to know every member in your sorority or fraternity. Some schools have chapters so big that you might not not know everyone's name, sometimes not even your entire new member class. The benefit of having smaller chapter sizes is that is allows for closer relationships with everyone, isn't that what sisterhood and brotherhood is all about?
10. It makes you happier
Overall, being in Greek life makes you so much happier. You're proud of your organizations in so many ways and you get so many opportunities to experience growth within yourself. There is no doubt that the Greek community gives you a home away from home and provides amazing friendships, endless support, a lot of involvement, and a tremendous amount of opportunities for the future.
