Sorority Life - Greek Life (2024)

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Sorority Life - Greek Life (1)

The University of Georgia Panhellenic Council governs the female fraternities and sororities that are members of theNational Panhellenic Conference(NPC). It promotes cooperation and cohesiveness within the Greek community, oversees formal recruitment for its member groups, and sponsors community service opportunities, social events and educational programs throughout the year. There are currently 20 Panhellenic chapters recognized at UGA.

Chapter Housing

Sorority members at UGA have the opportunity to live in beautiful, historic homes within walking distance of campus. Each sorority establishes it own regulations regarding members living in or out of the chapter house.Sororities often require members to live in the sorority house for oneyear, usually during the second year of membership.Typically, the second-year members live in the house alongwith the Executive Boards. Potential members should ask each sorority concerning individual requirements for living in or out of the chapter house.

Each sorority employs a full-time live-in House Director. The House Director oversees the daily operations of the chapter house. The sorority houses provide a comfortable and secure environment for the members.

Each sorority establishes house rules including visitation and quiet hours. The possession and consumption of alcohol on sorority property is prohibited. Study halls, dining facilities and workout facilities are a few of the features you will find in some of the sorority houses.Living in the sororityhouse is an exceptional value, as the average cost of living in the house(including room, board, meal plan, and dues) can be less than living in UGA residence halls! Sorority houses are truly a “home away from home.”

Clickherefor a map of the sorority houses.

Academics

The UGA Greek community strives to attain the highest level of academic achievement possible. By encouraging fraternity and sorority members to be active on campus and keep up their grades, the Greek system is a driving force in helping members live up to their potential. The Panhellenic GPA is consistently above that of the UGA All-Women’s GPA. In the Fall semester of 2023, 92% of our 6,290 women achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher. Additionally, the average GPA of our Panhellenic community was a 3.62 compared to the overall UGA undergraduate women’s average of a 3.54. We are very proud of all the hard work our women put into their academic success.

Pleasevisit ourAcademic Pageto learn more.

Sorority Finances

It is important for students and parents to be as informed as possible regarding the costs associated with obtaining a college education. Understanding the financial obligations associated with sorority membership is just as important.

Sorority membership is a contractual agreement. When you join, you assume many financial obligations and it is important to be aware of these obligations and take them into consideration. During fall recruitment, a potential member should ask sorority members about financial obligations and payment options. Each sorority sets its own fees and housing costs as well as the payment schedules.

The first semester of membership if the most expensive due to many one-time fees (house corporation fee, initiation fee, etc.). All sororities are willing to work with their members on an individual basis to create payment plans if necessary. The average cost ofNew Member Dues is $1,900 for Fall semester. This average includes what is required. These financial obligations do not include every expense for a member. Additional expenses (t-shirts, photographs from social events, etc.) are in no way mandatory. The cost formembers not living in the house averages $1,300 per semester. This includes parlor fees, social fees, and one meal a week at the house. This amount will be the average cost for Spring semester.

The price of living in the sorority house is usually an exceptional value as the average cost of a room, board, and dues can be less than the average cost of living in a typical UGA residence hall and a 5-day meal plan. The average cost forliving in the house is $4,800 per semester. This includes sorority dues, fees, room, board, and the house meal plan.

These averages were gathered from information before Recruitment in 2023. Each chapter provides their specific financial information during formal recruitment orientation.

Average Cost for New Member Semester – $1,900
Average Cost for In-House Member Semester – $4,800
Average Cost for Out-of-House Semester – $1,300

Philanthropy & Service

Philanthropy and Service are a huge part of sorority life. Each of our chapters have not only a local philanthropy, but also a national one. Each year individual chapters raise thousands of dollars toward respective philanthropies and chapters support a philanthropic events by holding fundraisers annually. Fundraisers range from canned food drives to road races and fishing tournaments.

You will learn about each of these during recruitment. Greeks also participate in organizations across campus that focus on philanthropy, service, and the community. Just a few are listed below. Click on their name for more information:

UGA Miracle
UGA Miracle is one of the largest and most widely-known philanthropies on campus and is celebrating their 27th year as a campus organization. They are the in-housephilanthropy for Greek Life that raises money for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Throughout the year they help raise funds for the Rehabilitation and Orthopedics departments at Children’s. Each February they host Dance Marathon, celebrating the patients at Children’s and raising even more money. The event lasts a total of 26.2 hours where concerts, inflatable games, and a “morale dance” keep the participants’ spirits high throughout the night and throughout the wee hours of the morning. In 2023 they raised a grand total$1,032,572.23, with $667,776 raised by Panhellenic chapters!

UGA Student Food Pantry
The UGA Student Food Pantry was established in 2011 by sorority members on the Panhellenic Council. The intention has not changed since its founding: to provide for students in need. Hunger on college campuses has become more of a nationally-recognized problem, and students on the Panhellenic Council wanted to provide a resource for students who, a lot of the time, are spending their money on their college education and have little left over. Each Panhellenic sorority is committed to supporting and supplying the Pantry through volunteer staffing and donations.

Sorority Life - Greek Life (2024)

FAQs

Sorority Life - Greek Life? ›

These organizations are referred to as "Greek" because their names consist of Greek letters that serve as a reminder of the group's values. Fraternities and sororities allow students to meet many people through social events, service projects, recruitment, and intramural events.

What do sororities have to do with Greek life? ›

These organizations are referred to as "Greek" because their names consist of Greek letters that serve as a reminder of the group's values. Fraternities and sororities allow students to meet many people through social events, service projects, recruitment, and intramural events.

What is the meaning of sorority in Greek life? ›

Soror – Means sister, this is a term used by NPHC sorority members to acknowledge one another. Rarely used among NPC sororities. Sorority – A Greek organization for women. Many of the 26 NPC sororities are actually fraternities, as many were created before the word sorority was coined.

Why do they call sororities Greek life? ›

College fraternities are called Greek because they adopt Greek letters as their names. It follows the tradition of using Greek letters to identify organizations dating back to the 18th century.

What is considered Greek life? ›

March 2023) Fraternities and sororities (Latin: fraternitas and sororitas, 'brotherhood' and 'sisterhood'), collectively referred to as Greek Life, are social organizations at North American colleges and universities.

Is Greek life really worth it? ›

There are many advantages when it comes to joining a fraternity or sorority. Greek life is a great way to meet new people, gain leadership skills, and build lasting connections — and then there's also all the parties and events you'll be attending.

What is the point of being in a sorority? ›

The point of a sorority is to create a tight-knit community for women within a college or university. They provide a supportive network and are often part of national organisations. These have multiple chapters or groups on different college campuses, each with its own members and local traditions.

Is being in a sorority worth it? ›

You won't regret it. By trying to get out of your comfort zone you open yourself up to all of the benefits sorority membership can offer you. Sororities can be more than just a footnote on your resume. They can teach you invaluable skills, give you friends for life and leave you with memories you'll never forget.

Do you have to pay to be in a sorority? ›

Ongoing dues (living outside of a sorority house). As a sorority member, you must pay ongoing dues to maintain your membership and participate in sorority activities. For those living outside of the sorority chapter house or those in an unhoused chapter, the dues typically range from $400 to $4,500 per semester.

Who pays for a sorority house? ›

If a sorority does have a chapter facility and a live-in requirement you would most likely pay room and board to live in the house, just like you would to live on campus in a dormitory.

What is hazing in Greek life? ›

Hazing is any activity expected of someone joining or participating in a group that humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers them, regardless of a person's willingness to participate. There are three components that define hazing: It occurs in a group context. Humiliating, degrading, or endangering behavior.

Are sororities expensive? ›

From there, you can check the sorority or school website for information on pricing for your first year. On average, joining a sorority costs between $1,000 and $4,750 per semester. These costs typically include member dues, housing, recruitment fees, application fees and social expenses.

What are the four top black sororities? ›

There are four major sororities, all of which were established in early twentieth century, including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Howard University, 1908), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (Howard University, 1913), Zeta Phi Beta Sorority (Howard University, 1920), and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority (Butler University, 1922).

Is Greek life declining? ›

Altogether, FSL decline has been nearly 54% from Spring 2020 to Fall 2023.

What is so special about Greek life? ›

Brotherhood and Sisterhood

For many individuals, the most important component of Greek life is the lifelong friendships. The fact that members call themselves "sister" and "brother" demonstrates the sense of family that the groups provide.

What are the pros and cons of joining a sorority? ›

A sorority or fraternity can provide camaraderie and enduring connections, and enhance a call for service and leadership. It can also be time consuming, expensive, and distracting. Greek life isn't for everyone, but some will find it a life-changing college choice.

What is the point of a sorority or fraternity? ›

The Purpose of Fraternity and Sorority Life is to:

Promote brotherhood and sisterhood. Develop leadership. Engage State College with community service.

What's the difference between a sorority and a fraternity? ›

The words frater and soror are Latin for "brother" and "sister" and used to show closeness between members. They also denote whether the group is for men or women. Sororities are only for women. Fraternities are only for men.

How do sororities pick you? ›

The voting process for the sororities can vary depending on the campus and the sorority. Two main methods usually take place: Chapter Vote: A chapter vote is when everyone in the sorority has a say in potential new members. Your name will come up, and everyone will vote on whether or not to invite you back.

Why can't sororities have alcohol but frats can? ›

The reason that the NPC gives for this seemingly archaic rule is that it's much cheaper to insure sororities if alcohol isn't allowed in their houses. Sorority members pay about $25 to $50 a year for insurance policies, while fraternity members pay $180.

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