Greek Life at Western Carolina University is comprised of national fraternities and sororities that are committed to the continued growth and success of this Greek community. All Greek Letter Organizations are built upon five basic values: scholarship, leadership, service and philathropy, and ritual. Being Greek also opens up a great networking opportunity within the collegiate years and throughout a lifetime.
Scholarship
Our Greek students take pride in their academic achievements and are supported through chapter and national programs and services beyond those offered by the university. Chapter study sessions, educational programs, tutoring, and study partners and teams offer support for developing and maintaining study skills.
Greeks are recognized for their academic successes through Greek scholarship and awards programs and honor societies such as Order of Omega.
WCU and the Greek affairs office have a policy requiring students to be at least a second-semester freshman with at least a 2.5 cumulative college GPA in order to participate in recruitment.
Leadership
Many of our Greek students belong to at least one other organization or club outside of their own chapters. The Greek community at WCU produces student leaders for campus organizations, community groups and events, and chapters.
Chapters encourage all their members to be leaders on campus and in the community. There also are opportunities for leadership in chapter governance and in the greater Greek community as chapter representatives or officers for councils groups.
Service and Philanthropy
Our Greek community is constantly giving back to the local Jackson County community and the surrounding region. The members of the Greek community have participated in events such as:
- Relay for Life
- Habitat for Humanity
- Children's Miracle Network
- March of Dimes
- TUCK River Clean-Up
- Community Table Soup Kitchen
- Project FIRE
- Breast Cancer Awareness
- And many more ...
These community service and philanthropic projects benefit worthy causes, as well as helping to foster a sense of unity and pride among our Greek chapters and members
Ritual
Ritual is the most important aspect of a Greek man or woman's experience in their respective organization. This bond that is formed through that particular chapters' ceremonies creates bonds that will last a lifetime. Ritual is the set of guidelines that each chapter has for its members. In essence, each member of a Greek Letter Organization should strive to live their ritual not only every day that they are here at Western Carolina University but for the rest of their life. Over 85 percent of student leaders on more than 700 campuses are involved in a Greek Letter Organization.
Networking
Fraternities and sororities maintain active alumni relations locally, regionally, and nationally, which can afford many opportunities for caree networking. Events such as Homecoming, dinners, chapter anniversaries, and founder's days can put an individual in touch with alumni in similar career paths and fields.