Sororities, fraternities and multicultural organizations will recruit new members this fall.
About a quarter of GW’s undergraduate students belong to a Greek organization, and this fall the various chapters will be welcoming new members.
Christina Witkowicki, GW’s Greek life director, explains to GW Today that being Greek is more than just an extracurricular activity.
“It’s a home away from home,” said Ms. Witkowicki.
Q: What are the different types of Greek organizations on campus, and how many are there?
A: We have Panhellenic sororities, Interfraternity Council fraternities and culturally based groups including Latino, historically black, Asian, religious and multicultural organizations. We currently recognize 44 chapters as part of Greek life at GW.
Q: What is the process like for joining a Greek organization?
A: It really is dependent on the type of organization someone is joining. Some are more structured. Some are more informal. Some are more group oriented, and some are very individualized. No matter what, though, the process is exciting!
Q: When do the multicultural organizations recruit new members?
A: The process for the multicultural groups is called Intake. Some of the organizations will have Intake during the fall and some will do it during the spring. The process of Intake looks a little different than recruitment or rush. Typically the Multicultural Greek Council will host events for all the multicultural organizations to get their names out, answer some questions about the process and meet some potential members. From there, the individual organizations will sometimes host informational meetings, more traditional-style recruitment events and begin the application and interview process with those interested in their organization.
Q: When do the Panhellenic sororities recruit new members?
A: Panhellenic recruitment will be held between Sept. 23 and Sept. 27 this year.
Q: When do the Interfraternity Council (IFC) chapters recruit new members?
A: This year, the bulk of recruitment for IFC takes place between Sept. 12 through Sept. 23. Chapters are able to extend bids – or invitations of membership – to men well after these dates, but this is the time where there is a big push to connect interested students with chapters.
Q: How do students decide which Greek chapter is best for them?
A: There is a lot to take in when choosing which organization to join. These are lifetime memberships, and students should really look at where they feel most comfortable overall. Some of the questions students should ask themselves include, what type of partnerships does this organization have? What is their national philanthropy, and is it something I care about as well? What are the values of the organization, and does it match up with my personal values? What will I get out of my membership in this organization? Do I feel comfortable with the members, and could I be willing to call them brothers or sisters?
Q: What is the average size of a GW Greek organization?
A: The average size of a Panhellenic chapter is 130. A multicultural organization is seven, and an Interfraternity chapter is 67.
Q: Do all Greek organizations have housing on campus?
A: Not all organizations have housing on campus. Currently 24 of our organizations have housing either on campus or within the campus boundaries.
Q: What are the benefits of being involved with a Greek organization?
A: It is a great way to be involved, meet new people, participate in activities and service projects, obtain scholarships, attend conferences and develop a family and home away from home. There are also real skills our members develop through their organization. Positions and activities in the organization help develop life skills our members find beneficial to their academic and professional lives.
These organizations are often similar to running small businesses, and our members often report having greater experiences in areas such as communication, respecting and understanding differences, delegation, management, confrontation and conflict management and networking than non-Greek members. There are also the benefits of brotherhood and sisterhood that are the hardest to explain. It truly is a stronger bond than just friends, but it is impossible to convey in words. The great thing is these benefits are for life and not just for the four years a student is here in their undergraduate career.
Q: How is Greek life at GW different than other universities?
A: We have a lot of the same challenges other communities have, but our successes are so much greater than the national averages. GW attracts incredible students, and we are lucky to have them in our organizations. Some of what our chapters accomplish in the areas of leadership, scholarship, philanthropy and service far surpass many other communities. The progress they make and pride they take managing their own community, I believe, is what sets Greek life at GW apart from other universities.