OPINION: The time has come. Winter break is over and everyone is back at school. Syllabus week is done and second semester classes have begun. It’s about time to start getting back into the swing of things, but this semester, change things up a little and try something new.
With over 200 clubs and organizations there are a multitude of avenues to explore what the University of Maine has to offer. From sports to the arts to gaming and politics, there are countless groups on and off campus that are actively looking for new members
That being said, if you are looking for real connection and community, take a look at Greek life! At UMaine, joining a fraternity or sorority can enhance the college experience.
You may think to yourself, “that’s not for me,” but if you were to talk to anyone currently in Greek life, they would most likely tell you they said the same thing. To most, joining a fraternity or sorority wasn’t on the agenda, however, much like my own story, it became a bigger part of their life than they ever would have thought.
Fraternity and Sorority life at UMaine is all about creating a community for students that are seeking leadership opportunities, ways to give back to the community and the chance to be a part of something greater.
Joining a fraternity or sorority will provide you with the necessary tools and resources both on and off campus to truly make a positive impact during your academic experience and throughout the rest of your life.
Through scholarship, leadership, service and community, the cornerstones of Greek Life, these organizations have created communities of brother and sisterhoods that foster and encourage life-long connections and passionate leaders looking to make a positive impact.
Don’t just take my word for it — the Center for Student Involvement at UMaine notes, “Fraternities and sororities enhance the quality of student life at the University of Maine. Their commitment to the ideals of the social Greek letter community promotes and provides for their members’ academic support, leadership development, avenues in which to develop life-long friendships and opportunities to participate in service to the community. These community standards and efforts are an important contribution to the excellence of the University of Maine.”
Between leadership development, philanthropic service, academic support and accountability, networking, career preparation and a sense of community, these groups and organizations are designed to create belonging and personal development.
If you’ve had philanthropic convictions and ambitions and wanted to do more than just drop a couple dollars into the salvation army bucket, Greek life is a great way to get into community service. The brothers and sisters here at UMaine work in partnership with numerous charities ranging from Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital (Tau Kappa Epsilon) to YouthAIDS (Sigma Epsilon), coordinating philanthropy events within our communities and throughout the nation.
According to greeks.unm.edu, “The Greek system is the largest network of volunteers in the US, with members donating over 10 million hours of volunteer service each year, nationally, raising over seven million dollars every year for charity.”
Greek life really is more than just letters on a hoodie, “A U.S. Government study shows that over 70% of all those who join a fraternity/sorority graduate, while under 50% of all non-fraternity/sorority persons graduate”. Greek life truly is a life long experience, and you can start yours this semester.
