Dear Parents of the Class of 2012,
Your son or daughter will have the first opportunity to join a Wittenberg Fraternity or Sorority in the spring of 2009, if they have achieved at least a 2.25 GPA. and 16 credits or a 2.75 with 12-15 completed credits. Fraternities and Sororities are not just social or student organizations. They strive for excellence in scholarship, leadership, service to the community and loyalty to lifelong friends. They expect their members to make a commitment of time, resources and talent to the organization, campus and community. Over 50% of our student leaders are Greek and most of the Student Senate members and Orientation Assistants are too.
At Wittenberg 40 % of our women and 35% of our men have chosen to join a Greek letter organization. The All Greek GPA has topped the Non-Greek GPA for the past 12 semesters. In the fall of 2007, our 12 chapters combined to raise more than $10,000 to benefit The Rocking Horse Center, Ronald McDonald House, and servicemen in Iraq to name a few of their charities. Students contributed upwards of 500 service hours to local Girl Scouts, Second Harvest Food Bank, Pilot Dogs program and Breast Cancer Awareness. Greek students have received training to work with Make a Wish children and as Red Cross volunteers, as well as education on healthy eating, business etiquette, and internet crime. And this was NOT an unusual semester!
Of course there are social events too…everything from hanging out at the house to watch t.v. to semi- formal dinners and family and alumni events. Members are building the interpersonal and social skills so desired by employers today to balance the “computer-age” isolation. Fraternities and sororities have active networks of alumni to assist with career information and ways to become connected in new cities. The sense of belonging and support contributes to a higher graduation rate and continued involvement after graduation with Wittenberg and friends made here.
We would like to address the most common concerns about joining a fraternity or sorority. They are the cost and hazing. Being a member of a sorority or fraternity requires paying dues to your chapter. However, looking at what you get for this money we believe the investment is fully worth it. Dues cover most things the chapter does: brotherhood and sisterhood events, informational programs, movie nights, snacks, socials and other fun activities. Also most chapters have leadership retreats during both the school year and the summer. These are free for members and very educational. Being a member of any Wittenberg Greek organization also allows you to live in the chapter house and eat there, which is generally cheaper than other housing options. In regard to hazing, the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils along with the University have a strict no-hazing policy. If something would occur it is dealt with by our Judicial Board quickly and severely.
While membership may not be for everyone, we sincerely hope that your student will participate in Recruitment and get a first hand understanding of membership before making his/her own decision. We ask that you lend your encouragement and support throughout this process. Please check out the Greek section of the website or contact one of us for further information.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of us.
Casey Stevens Greek Life cstevens@wittenberg.edu |