As the westernmost institution in the UNC system, Western Carolina University provides
educational opportunities to residents of the state’s western region and attracts
students from around the globe to explore the area’s vast resources.
At Western Carolina University, we view our admissions process as our opportunity
to build the community that defines our institution. We look for people eager to explore
and ready to redefine success.
Programs and courses at Western Carolina are designed to provide hands-on, applied
experience. Students engage with communities across the region as they practice their
profession in real-world environments.
Western Carolina’s unique mountain location helps fuel a vibrant campus community
with more than 170 student clubs and organizations as well as a busy performing arts
calendar and the campus’s own adventure guide service.
Western Carolina is home to 16 Southern Conference athletic teams with more than 375
student athlete competitors. WCU strives to inspire student-athletes to compete like
champions on the field and in the classroom.
Western Carolina was founded to serve the region it calls home, and that has not changed.
WCU continues to focus on regional development initiatives, engaged service and community
programs. It also partners with alumni and donors to ensure access to higher education
for deserving students in the region and beyond.
The Department of Greek Student Engagement & Development (GSED) is the team within the Division of Student Affairs who advise and support the recognized
WCU fraternity & sorority chapters, the leadership councils, the national honor society,
and the advisor, alumni & volunteer support teams.
GSED staff manage and administer the many programs and events that promote a values-based
fraternal experience in Cullowhee. In addition, the Department is committed to establishing
and maintaining positive relationships and partnerships with WCU colleagues, the local
community, alumni, and between the numerous local and inter/national headquarters
that make up the American Fraternity & Sorority Community.
At this time, due to the COVID19 Pandemic, our offices will be making adjustments
to our normal traffic patterns during our scheduled business hours. Please be aware
of the following changes:
-Please make an appointment with the staff member you are needing to meet with. -Maintaining physical distancing is a priority inside of our offices. We have measured
out six feet and have figured out spacing. We now have a limited amount of seating
available. -Meetings with multiple people will need to be in a meeting room or can happen virtually. -In accordance with the governor and university mandate we expect all visitors to
always wear a face covering or mask when you come into the office. We feel this is
important for the health and safety of the staff and our students. If this is a problem,
we will be happy to meet virtually. We will not meet face-to-face without a mask.
Western Carolina University is committed to our Fraternity and Sorority Life Community
and believes in the importance of student growth and involvement. The Department of
Greek Student Engagement & Development is committed to the holistic development and
success of all students, the cultivation of inclusive spaces and communities, and
the fostering of meaningful relationships and lifelong learning.
Western Carolina University has been a home for Fraternity and Sorority Life since
1952. Since then, more than 27 organizations have called this campus home and we have
more than 700 students currently thriving in the brotherhoods and sisterhoods these
organizations offer. Our community focuses on the following benchmark areas: engagement,
friendship, leadership, risk management, scholarship and service. The University is
committed to helping our member organizations grow, lead, and succeed on our campus.
The WCU Registration & Recognition (R&R) Assessment Program serves as the initial recognition process for all fraternity and sorority chapters
on campus. It also serves as the community's assessment process of achievements and
areas of improvement.
When it is determined that a new organization is needed to strengthen our fraternity
and sorority life community, the procedures outlined will be followed. The purpose
of the Expansion and Recolonization Policy is to ensure expansion and recolonization of fraternities and sororities are done
carefully with a well-developed plan that aligns with the standards and mission of
Western Carolina University. A carefully planned and supportive process will ensure
that our students have maximum opportunity for a rewarding experience and the relationship
between campus and the respective national organizations are maintained.
This document includes the expansion and recolonization guidelines and procedures
for all social fraternities and sororities at Western Carolina University.
Explore our Frequently Asked Questions about Greek Student Engagement and Development
at Western Carolina University.
A Collegiate Fraternal "Greek" organization is a group of individuals bonded together
by common goals and values. It is referred to as a Greek organization because the
name consists of Greek letters; however, there are organizations whose names are not
solely made up of Greek letters.
These bonds are created through historical rituals. Rituals are a shared experience
between members of the fraternal organization. The more common language used when
referring to Greek-letter organizations are fraternities (for men) and sororities
(for women). These organizations have values and purpose that they work to instill
in their members through their everyday activities.
College fraternities and sororities were established to promote democratic self-government,
academic excellence, service to others, life-time friendships, and a home away from
home throughout the undergraduate experience.
The Department of Greek Student Engagement & Development oversees the twenty-one fraternities
and sororities at Western Carolina University. The Greek Engagement staff provides
advisement, programming, and support to all of our fraternal organizations. The Department
is located in the AK Hinds University Center 334.
The fraternity and sorority experience is what you make it. Every chapter has different
requirements; however, each chapter generally has at least one meeting a week. It
is the expectation of many of our organizations that their members are active during
their undergraduate experience and after graduation. There are also many additional
opportunities to become involved within a chapter and with the Department of Greek
Student Engagement & Development.
The financial obligations depend on the chapter fees and dues. For more information,
please contact a chapter representative.
The Departmentof Greek Student Engagement & Development team believes the following
expectations are best practices for being a successful and responsible collegiate
fraternal member and student. These expectations were created to set a standard of
high achievement for Greek letter organizations at WCU. These expectations are not
in place to penalize students but to challenge them to achieve at the highest level.
Understand your behavior has an effect and impact on the entire community - not just
yourself, your chapter, or your national organization. The entire fraternity & sororoity
community could be affected.
Individuals & chapters need to take responsibility for their own actions.
Maintain a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Conduct yourself appropriately and professionally.
Demonstrate self-respect and respect for others.
Engage with the greater WCU community.
Demonstrate responsibility and transparency in relation to finances, new member recruitment
and education, conduct, and social events.
Say something if you see something or know something that may negatively impact the
health or safety of yourself or others or to prevent crimes from occurring. Report
all matters to the necessary campus resources (e.g. sexual violence or misconduct,
hazing, substance abuse, mental health concerns, etc.).
Conduct yourself as if you are always wearing your letters.
Through our values-based programming and staff support, the members of fraternities
and sororities at WCU will gain an understanding of the impact of individual and organizational
actions, life-longconnectionswithin organizations and the largercommunity, an understanding and appreciation of identities different from their own, the ability
toadvocatefor self and others, a commitment to academicexcellence, an understanding ofself, and a sense ofbelonging.
