"Greek" History
Sororities and fraternities—groups for women and men, respectively—have been around since the dawn of U.S. history. The fraternal practice of using names that involve letters of the Greek alphabet can be traced as far back as 1776, when students at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, formed the Phi Beta Kappa Society. Though modern-day fraternities and sororities are more socially focused, there still exist strong parallels to those early organizations in terms of requirements for acceptance and emphasis on bonding between members.
Fraternities and sororities can be "local"—existing solely on one campus—or part of a larger "national" affiliation. Though Greek organizations are primarily made up of undergraduate students, other orders exist for grad students, ethnic minorities, or members of a profession. Also, though primarily considered social organizations, certain groups emphasize charity work, academics, or religion, occasionally even competing against other fraternities for the achievement of a common goal.
Unity
Solidarity is a big aspect of Greek life. Some fraternities and sororities maintain housing and dining accommodations exclusively for members, while others plan regular activities and outings as a group. Membership in a fraternity or sorority often means learning secret rituals, songs, and passwords while espousing values based on the traditional beliefs of the whole. Greek groups are often identified by their color schemes; clothing, pins/badges, jewelry, and other items are often ceremoniously presented to new members or graduating elders.
Joining a Fraternity/Sorority
If you are interested in joining a Greek organization, you should attend "rush week," which usually takes place at the beginning of the fall semester and is filled with events and information sessions for prospective members. During this time, select members of each fraternity or sorority will "bid" on inductees, issuing them formal invitations to join.
Prior to being fully accepted, new members go through a "pledge" or probation period in which they are expected to learn as much as possible about the organization. Senior members will gauge the compatibility of each pledge with the group and determine an appropriate initiation (which usually involves an additional set of rituals).
Most national Greek organizations adhere to codes and bylaws that are maintained by their overseeing body. These policies are put in place with regard to membership, housing, academic performance, and conduct. Many elect member-delegates to liaise with other chapters, and some hold periodic conventions for all members to attend.
For more information, or to view an alphabetic list containing descriptions and contact data for the top fraternities and sororities in the United States, visit www.greekpages.com.