Greek Student Engagement & Development

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.

5.12 I Hazing
A student, student group, or RSO, who aids, abets, incites, organizes, approves, or otherwise
participates in any behavior that would constitute a violation of this hazing policy as described further:

• Any activity or event related to membership in a student group or RSO, that intentionally or unintentionally endangers the mental, physical, or emotional health of a person. Consent is not a defense or excuse to participation in the activity.
• Any activity or event that would constitute violations of local, state or federal law or any other University policy regardless of the consent of the participants.
• Any actions that demean, disgrace or embarrass a person may also be considered hazing.

Hazing can occur either on or off-campus. While hazing is typically associated with membership selection and initiation into a group or organization, it is possible for hazing to occur before, during, after or separate from membership selection and initiation, and regardless of a person's status or position in the student group or RSO.

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-long connections within organizations and the larger community, an understanding and appreciation of identities different from their own, the ability to advocate for self and others, a commitment to academic excellence, an understanding of self, and a sense of belonging.