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What does it mean to be Greek? |
MSU's Greek organizations allow members the opportunity to expand and develop leadership skills. Campus leaders at Mississippi State are overwhelmingly Greek. Members of the Greek community are the vast majority of the leaders in organizations such as the Student Association, Roadrunners, Orientation Leaders, Athletic Lettermen, Alumni Delegates, Fashion Board, Pom Squad, Diamond Girls, Campus Activity Board, and many, many others, including religious fellowships and scholastic honor societies.
Upperclassmen chapter members often help new members to become active in campus leadership roles since campus involvement is encouraged in every chapter at Mississippi State. As a result, college careers begin to involve more than merely textbooks, classrooms, athletic events, and social functions for Greek students. A leader in the Greek community will develop such skills as goal setting, delegating responsibilities, working with a group, planning activities, solving problems, time management, and focused decision making. These skills will be useful to Greek chapter members not only in college, but for the rest of his or her life.
Friendship
One of the most cherished aspects of being involved in a Greek organization is the friendship made through membership. Involvement in a Greek organization gives members and opportunity to expand their circle of friends because brotherhood/sisterhood is the foundation of the Greek experience. It combines the concept of individualism within the framework of mutual cooperation. As a Greek member, you will form friendships unlike any found in other organiztions. By choosing to become a member of a Greek organization, you will meet people who will grow to become your closest friends - those who will cheer you on when you are successful and who will support you when the going gets tough. Lifelong friendships and associations are made through active participation in a Greek organiztion.
These relationships are deeper than going to parties, more meaningful than wearing the same letters. They are about growth and development of individuals as they begin their lives at Mississippi State.
Community Service
A common goal among all Greek organizations is helping others. This is evident through the many volunteer hours MSU Greek students donate to benefit various organizations and charitable projects. Each fraternity and sorority has its own philanthropy, which it supports on an on-going basis. These activites offer college men and women special opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Some of the projects chapters are involved with fund research and prevention programs for blindness, cancer, diabetes, breast cancer, child abuse, and terminal illnesses. Members also donate time and energy to help with Habitat for Humanity, tutoring programs, Adopt-a-Highway projects, and the Special Olympics. The MSU Greek system is committed to helping you identify ways to contribute your time and energy through community service and philanthropy.
Scholarship
Academics are the focus of college life, and Greek students recognize that the purpose of attending school is to receive a quality education. The sororities and fraternities at Mississippi State have set high standards of scholastic achievement to reflect this emphasis. Each Greek chapter has set their own scholarship standards, and a minimum GPA is often required before pledging or becoming an initiated member.
To accomplish these academics standards, many different programs have been put in place. Upperclassmen may assist new members in developing sound study habits through scholarhip programs, individual help, study halls, incentive programs, study buddies and major match-ups.
Chapter involvement in honorary organizations is phenomenal, with members participating in socities such as Mortar Board, Gamma Beta Phi, Omicron Delta Kappa, Golden Key, Phi Kappa Phi...the list goes on. Because the Greek system puts so much emphasis on scholastics, it has established its own honorary group, Order of Omega, which recognizes outstanding Greek men and women.
Social
Of course there is a social side to Greek Life at Mississippi State! As the school week draws to a close, fraternity and sorority fun just starts to crank up. A member's social life is enhanced through involvement with a fraternity or sorority. Greek organizations have traditionally provided most of the social excitement at Mississippi State.
Swaps, date parties, and other activities provide an opportunity for members to meet a variety of new people on campus. Ranging from theme parties, to dress-ups, to formals, excitement is guaranteed.
But, parties are not the only way Greeks at Mississippi State have fun. There are an infinite number of things in which members can participate. Homecoming events, Greek Week, Greek Easter Egg Hunt, intramural sports competitions, Greek contests, philanthropy events, dinner swaps, and social swaps are just a few popular ways by which fraternity and sorority members participate with each other and the campus community. Being part of a Greek organization at Mississippi State never leaves time for boredom!