 "Photo: SHOLTEN SINGER")
Marshall University fraternities and sororities will host recruitment activities during the next three weeks.
Fraternities began recruitment this week and will continue for two weeks, and sororities will begin recruitment in two weeks, said Andy Hermansdorfer, director of student activities and Greek affairs.
“Recruitment gives non-Greek students an opportunity to get to know our fraternities and sororities and gives everyone an opportunity to make new friends and meet new people,” Hermansdorfer said.
Although the goal of recruitment is to find students interested in becoming a part of Greek life, participating in the activities does not require a commitment, he said.
“There’s no obligation,” Hermansdorfer said. “The minimum that’s going to happen is you’re going to meet at least 30 other students and could meet up to 250 students.”
“The end goal would be that non-Greeks find a fraternity or sorority they’re interested in and for fraternities and sororities to find new perspective members who could contribute to their organization and ultimately make them a better fraternity or sorority,” Hermansdorfer said.
Recruitment activities include social and informational events such as open houses and parties, said Ashton Bias, vice president of Marshall’s Panhellenic Council.
“We just try to find something everyone will enjoy that doesn’t put too much pressure on anyone,” Bias said. “It’s something that makes it easy to socialize and meet people.”
Bias said an important reason for recruitment week is to educate non-Greek students about the realities of Greek life.
“I think a lot of people would be surprised if they looked into it and would see there’s no stereotypical Greek,” Bias said. “We’re all different.”
One advantage of joining a Greek organization is the opportunity to add another element to your resume, Hermansdorfer said.
“If you graduate and want a job, you might find yourself up against someone with a higher GPA,” Hermansdorfer said. “You’re competitive because you manage $250,000 every semester for your fraternity or sorority, collected dues, balanced the budget, did your debits and credits and volunteered.”
All Greek organizations have GPA requirements beginning at a 2.25 cumulative GPA or more, depending on the specific fraternity or sorority, said Courtney McNeel, Greek adviser.
“Sororities have higher GPAs than non-Greek women at Marshall,” McNeel said. “School comes first, and they’ll tell you that every time.”
The benefits of becoming Greek are social as well as professional, Bias said.
“You make friendships that are going to last a lifetime,” Bias said. “They’re going to be my bridesmaids in my wedding, and you don’t know what you’re missing out on until you look.”
“I came from a place where I didn’t know anything about any of the sororities,” Bias said. “I went where I felt like I was company.”
McNeel said the purpose of college is to network and become involved. Students should take advantage of recruitment week as a chance to find a place to comfortably become involved.
Erin Shaver can be contacted at shaver29@marshall.edu.
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