Home Away from Home: Greek Life

1. Home Away from Home: Greek Life Orientation 2012

2. Greek Life Office The mission of the Office of Greek Life is to promote student development by providing opportunities for scholarship, leadership, community service, campus involvement and fraternal friendshipand by ensuring all members a high-quality and safe undergraduate experience.

3. Greek Life Staff Rachel Westra Marsh Director marshr@cofc.edu Katherine Pezzella Assistant Director pezzellaka@cofc.edu Norma Luden Administrative Assistant ludenn@cofc.edu

4. Advantages of Membership • A support group to help make the adjustment to college easier. • Standardsfor membership that promote accountability and responsibility. • Resources to help students achieve their academic goals. • Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experiences and participation. • Active participation in meaningful service and philanthropy projects and opportunities to help others. • Valuable interaction with alumni and advisors who are professionals that volunteer their time and talent to help guide chapter operations.

5. In Their Words “When we brought Sam to C of C freshman year, we invited him to take advantage of every opportunity available, and his decision to join a fraternity turned out to be one of the most critical and positive decisions that he made.” • Fred & Irene Orelove, Parents of Sam Orelove, Alpha Epsilon Pi

6. Time Commitment • Expected to be an active member within the chapter • Weekly chapter/new member meetings other mandatory events throughout the semester • Extent of involvement may vary depending on semester and what roles students have in the chapter • Academics always comes first!

7. What does it cost? • Dues vary for each organization and all payment is handled through individual chapters • Panhellenic Council & Interfraternity Council (IFC) • Dues: $400-$600 per semester • Payment plans and scholarships available • Typically cost more during first semester, one time fees • National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) • Dues: $900-$1400 one time lump sum

8. Greek Housing • 7 Sorority Houses & 5 Fraternity Houses owned by campus and overseen by the Department of Residence Life, 3 off-campus privately owned homes. • Houses hold 8-12 members, each organization responsible for filling their houses. • Houses are not a central part of Greek experience at The College.

9. Does hazing still exist? • The College of Charleston, as well as each national fraternity and sorority, has a zero-tolerance policyregarding hazing that is consistent with South Carolina state law. • If you feel that your student is participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity or sorority, contact the Office of Greek Life 843.953.6320.

10. Panhellenic Council Important Dates • July 18: Last Day to Register for Recruitment • August 12: Recruitment Early Move-In Day • August 13-14: Events for incoming students led by recruitment counselors • August 14: Recruitment Convocation • August 15-18: Formal Recruitment • August 19: Bid Day How to Register • Register Online! http://greeks.cofc.edu • $65 Registration Fee

11. Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC) Important Dates • August 19: Georgestock • August 21: Welcome Back Event • August 22: Recruitment Convocation • August 26: IFC Recruitment Dinner • September 1: Bid Day How to Register • Register Online! http://greeks.cofc.edu • No registration fee, Bid Day fee of $20

12. National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Membership Intake Process • Interest meeting notices posted in the buildings on campus during the academic year. • Most have MIP once a year. • NPHC groups require a GPA of 2.3 – 2.5 and 12-15 hours of college credit depending on the individual group. Welcome Week Activities • August 19: Georgestock • August 21: Welcome Back Event • August 23: NPHC Meet the Greeks & Open House • August 30: NPHC Greek 101 Forum

13. Questions? http://greeks.cofc.edu 97 Wentworth Annex 843.953.6320 greeklife@cofc.edu