What
is Rush?
Rush is the process
where men become interested in joining a fraternity. It
is a time for all college men to consider becoming a Greek.
Becoming Greek is a very big decision that will affect someone
for the rest of their lives. The University of West Alabama
holds an informal Fraternity rush which consists of what is
known as a "Rush Week". During this week, every fraternity
has a one night rush party on the different nights of the week.
A man may go all of these parties to see what each individual
organization is like and what they have to offer. It is
during these parties that men talk to the brothers of the different
fraternity's to see which fraternity is right for them, if any.
At the end of rush week comes bid day. Bid day is the
time when fraternities select the men that they want to invite
to join their organization. A man may receive multiple
bids from different fraternities, yet he can accept only one.
Why
Rush?
It takes a strong minded
and determined man to go Greek. There are also many advantages
to being a Greek over being an independent. One thing
about rush remains true; Becoming a Sigma Pi will develop your
character, increase your responsibility, and improve your scholarship.
Sigma Pi will make you a better man and enhance your college
experience through leadership skills and social encouragement.
What
are the Benefits of Membership in SP ?
- Your will have the support system
of friends to help make the adjustment to college.
- Your will have excellent scholastic
resources available.
- Your will learn valuable leadership
skills and have the chance to practice them as a chapter officer
or committee member.
- Your will be encouraged to get involved
in campus organizations and student activities.
- Your will participate in a wide variety
of chapter activities including intramurals, game day events,
and Homecoming.
- Your will help others through community
service and philanthropic events.
- Your will be exposed to career opportunities
through interaction with fraternity alumni from across West
Alabama and the United States.
- Your will be joining a Greek community
rich in tradition and excellence.
- Simply put you will be joining one of
the best Greek fraternities on the campus and by far the best
in the United States.
Advantages
of being in Sigma Pi…
ADVANTAGE #1 - ACADEMICS
The Academic portion of your university
career is one significant determinant in your future success.
The primary purposes of the fraternity system is to encourage
and develop high scholastic achievement among its members. Just
over 50% of students in university end up graduating. However,
if you belong to a fraternity, your chances of graduating increase
to over 70%! Fraternity members help each other to succeed!
ADVANTAGE #2 - COMMUNITY SERVICE
Usually, the only way a person gets involved
in a philanthropic event, is to do it with a group of people.
On your resume, you need volunteer experience. The fraternity
is an excellent way for you to donate your time for a good cause.
ADVANTAGE #3 - ATHLETICS
Each fraternity participates in the numerous
competitive sports in the Campus Intramural Leagues and in interfraternal
sports like the Greek Games. It’s difficult to get a group of
people on your own to play team intramural sports, Ultimate
Frisbee, or to get a softball game together on a Sunday afternoon.
Fraternities offer all of this along with the pride of sportsmanship,
team spirit, and competition!
ADVANTAGE #4 - LEADERSHIP
In the fraternity, you will be "in charge"
of an event or a duty. Everyone in the fraternity is a leader,
whether you’re an officer, an executive, on a committee, or
just a participant. You will learn by doing. You’ll learn how
to manage a budget, run effective meetings, speak in public,
motivate others … skills that will help you in university and
throughout your life. These days it takes more than just a degree
to get a good job - it takes leadership experience.
- 85% of the Fortune 500 Executives,
- 80% of U.S. Presidents since 1900, &
- 100% of Apollo 11 Astronauts…
all joined a fraternity!!!
ADVANTAGE #5 - BROTHERHOOD
Brotherhood is the foundation of the fraternity
experience. Every man contributes to this aspect. Brotherhood
combines the concept of individualism within the framework of
mutual cooperation. As a fraternity brother you will form friendships
unlike any found in other organizations. Brotherhood is not
conformity. No fraternity is made up of members who are exactly
alike. By choosing to become a member of a fraternity, you will
meet brothers who grow to become your closest friends, those
who will cheer you on when you’re successful and who will support
you when the going gets tough.
ADVANTAGE #6 - NETWORKING
So, let’s say you’ve graduated or are just
looking for a summer job. Now what? In today’s economy and job
market, it’s going to take more than looking at wan-ads and
job postings. You need to network with people. The fraternity
is one of the best ways to do just that. Using the resources
of fraternity members like alumni, you may find that job you’re
looking for - that head start in life, all because you joined
a fraternity. What an investment!
ADVANTAGE #7 - TRAVELING
Now assume you’re planning a trip to another
city in North America. You need a place to stay, but you don’t
want to spend too much dough. Fraternity membership allows you
to travel to other fellow chapter houses to meet brothers and
have a place to stay for free! Sometimes, one chapter will get
a bunch of guys together and plan a road trip and stay at several
chapters along the way. And when you arrive, although you may
have never met these brothers before, you have a fraternal bond,
and you’re more than just a guest in their home, you’re instant
friends. All this mushy brotherhood stuff may be hard to believe
at first, but it’s genuine.
How do I join a fraternity at the University of West Alabama?
Each year, fraternities set aside time
for membership recruitment activities also know as Rush. During
the membership recruitment period, interested men have an opportunity
to visit the fraternity of their choice and to explore what
Greek life has to offer. Rush is a period of careful examination
and choosing; it is a time for students and parents to ask questions,
define financial obligations, time commitments, and membership
requirements. Fraternity rush is year round although a formal
rush program is sponsored by the IFC at the beginning of each
semester.
Requirements
of pledgeship
Life in the UWA Greek community begins
when you formally accepts a bid, or invitation, and becomes
a new member of a chapter. During this program, you will learn
fraternity and chapter history, founders, symbols and standards
and information about the chapter philanthropy. Many of the
friendships you develops during his fraternity days will last
a lifetime. Greeks at the University of West Alabama are committed
to new member education programs in which hazing is not practiced.
The University of West Alabama and the Interfraternity council
have strict non-hazing policies which are enforced. Hazing is
not tolerated in the UWA Greek community.
Fraternity
Facts
-
The first general fraternity (Kappa Alpha Society) was
organized in 1850.
-
Of North Americas 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed
by Fraternity men and Sorority women.
-
7 out of 10 people listed in Who's Who are Greek.
-
85% of Fortune 500 executives belong to a Fraternity
or Sorority.
-
40 of 47 Supreme Court Justices since 1910 were
Fraternity men.
-
76% of all Congressmen and Senators belong to a
Fraternity or Sorority.
-
Every US President and Vice-President, except two
in each office, born since the first social Fraternity was
founded in 1825, and 3 Canadian Prime Ministers, have been
members of a Fraternity. Statistics show that Fraternity
and Sorority members have a higher rate of graduation from
college than do their non-member counterparts.
The
Top 10 Questions people ask about fraternities…
#10. Aren’t fraternities just like ones
in the movies and on TV?
Every fraternity is different and unique,
but on our campus, we have yet to come across any Tri-Lambs,
90210 KEG houses, or John Belushi Animal House types.
#9. Do you have to live in the house?
No, but you can if you want to. Fraternities
offer affordable rooms and parking close to campus. It’s also
a great place to crash.
#8. Fraternity men are all a bunch of
elitists, racists, and cliquish, aren’t they?
No. If we were, then why are we here
trying to get you and everyone else to join? Fraternity men
come from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. ANYONE
CAN JOIN A FRATERNITY!
#7. I heard that by joining a fraternity,
my marks would improve. Is that true?
Getting good grades is hard work. By
using the numerous academic incentives only offered by fraternities,
such as GPA requirements, study groups, exam and paper libraries,
and scholarships, you will find university life a whole lot
easier.
#6. Don’t fraternities take up a lot
of time?
Fraternity membership requires anywhere
from 2 to 8 hours a week. Whether it be planning a party, a
community service project, or regular weekly meetings, fraternity
members have learned to manage their time wisely with other
commitments like homework, girlfriends, and a job. This is also
why so many fraternity members have succeeded in their lives.
#5. Aren’t fraternities expensive?
Annual membership dues vary from $100
to $500. This cost is used to pay for upkeep of the house, intramural
sports, community service, scholarships, and the dozens of free
social events offered. As one member put it - "Joining a fraternity
is the best deal on campus!"
#4. If I’m new to campus, shouldn’t
I wait to get my "feet on the ground" before I join?
University is a big place. The sooner
you know more people, the more comfortable you will feel on
campus. By joining in your first year, you will find adjusting
to university life a lot easier. Every fraternity member who
didn’t join in their first year on campus, wished they had.
#3. So, what do you do in a fraternity?
Everything that university courses do
not offer - development of social skills, leadership opportunities,
a needed break from studying, and FUN! Each fraternity has numerous
social events, charity projects, workshops, and more - all designed
to help you and your resume, so you can succeed.
#2. Why do fraternity members call each
other "brothers"?
It is the sense of family and lifelong
friendships a fraternity provides. Fraternity membership is
for life - from the class of ’45 to ’95 you have a fraternal
bond with everyone - the bond of friendship.
…and the #1 question asked about fraternities
… Advantage #5.
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