{"412011":{"#nid":"412011","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Is \u0022Going Greek\u0022 Right for Your Student?","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cem\u003ETanner Marcantel\u003C\/em\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cem\u003E Assistant Dean, Director of Greek Affairs\u003C\/em\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EWhat if there were an organization your student could join that would make him or her more likely to return for a second year, more likely to graduate, and happier during his or her time at Tech? There are many benefits for students who join a fraternity or sorority at Georgia Tech. These organizations, among the oldest establishments on campus, provide a vital social outlet that teaches leadership skills and civic engagement, and produces a happier, well-rounded student.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EListed below are some of the major benefits of fraternity and sorority membership. You may also find information about individual chapters, programs, services, and membership and academic statistics at \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/www.greek.gatech.edu\/\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ewww.greek.gatech.edu\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAcademics\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe Greek New Member grade point average (GPA) is higher than the non-Greek freshman GPA, and this does not happen by accident.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Ctable border=\u00221\u0022 cellspacing=\u00220\u0022 cellpadding=\u00220\u0022 align=\u0022right\u0022\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u0022189\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003ESorority Women GPA\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u002247\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003E3.23\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u0022189\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003EAll Female Undergraduate GPA\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u002247\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003E3.20\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u0022189\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003EFraternity Men GPA\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u002247\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003E3.16\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u0022189\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003EAll Undergraduate GPA\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u002247\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003E3.15\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u0022189\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003EAll Male Undergraduate GPA\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd width=\u002247\u0022\u003E\u003Cp align=\u0022center\u0022\u003E3.13\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll of our fraternity and sorority chapters have programs in place to help new members and pledges perform well academically during their first year of college and learn study habits that will serve them well over the course of their academic career. Of course, individuals have to make the decision to attend class, do their homework, and be dedicated to their academics, but the fraternity and sorority chapters are accountable for each member\u2019s grades. In addition to study hours, tutors, and other chapter academic programs, this kind of positive peer pressure does wonders.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELeadership and Life-Skills\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThere are numerous opportunities to gain and develop leadership skills within the fraternity and sorority community. There are committee member, committee chair, and executive board opportunities within the 55 chapters and four governing boards \u2013 the Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC), the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) and the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ELeadership among peers is an important skill that gives our students valuable experience that transfers to group work in the classroom, networking in the workforce, and participation in civic and community organizations. We also find that working in close proximity with fellow students is a great laboratory to practice life lessons that contribute to education from outside of the classroom.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EService\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EAll fraternities and sororities have service as a value of their organizations, which makes giving back to the Tech and Atlanta communities and integral part of membership. Through hands-on service projects and philanthropic fundraisers, our fraternity and sorority members live the values espoused in their rituals by helping those around them. In addition to local work, most chapters nationally partner with a philanthropic agency that will raise money for notable causes.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENetworking\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBecause these are social organizations, students often build extensive networks without even realizing it. While some of these networks are just great ways to make new friends and get to know people, some of them are far more lucrative and meaningful. Many students make connections with alumni that lead to co-op jobs or internships while they are in school. Many fraternities and sororities host activities and events in conjunction with the Institute\u2019s Family Weekend and at other times during the year.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ELifelong Membership\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ERecently, an incoming freshman said to me, \u201cYou say joining a Greek organization is a life-long obligation. So what happens when you graduate?\u201d I thought this was a fantastic question from an 18-year-old. Upon graduation, members have the opportunity to give back to their organization through donations of time, talent, and money. All of our chapters have alumni volunteers \u2014 some who graduated from Tech and some from other colleges and universities \u2014 who serve on chapter advisory teams, house corporation boards, and others who serve as alumni mentors to our undergraduates.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EMost fraternities and sororities have alumni chapters all over North America, so no matter where their career takes them, our alumni have a built-in resource right when they settle into their new city.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EGoing Greek \u003C\/strong\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGoing Greek can be an excellent opportunity for someone who is looking to gain additional learning and support, get involved, and connect with their peers.\u0026nbsp; Encourage your student to visit greek.gatech.edu to learn more about the programs and educational opportunities provided by our community as well as information about the upcoming recruitment period this fall. We look forward to seeing you and your student at FASET!\u003C\/p\u003E","summary":null,"format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":[{"value":"ParentNews June 2015"}],"field_summary":"","field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"There are many benefits for students who join a fraternity or sorority at Georgia Tech."}],"uid":"27244","created_gmt":"2015-06-08 13:28:52","changed_gmt":"2016-10-08 03:18:33","author":"Sara Warner","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2015-06-08T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2015-06-08T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"groups":[{"id":"1298","name":"Parent and Family Programs"}],"categories":[],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[],"email":["parents@gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}