Why is it called a fraternity

With nearly a century and a half of legacy on the campus, Fraternity and Sorority Life has continued to adapt and evolve, remaining ever focused on Leading Lobos to What's Next. Yes, you have probably heard the identifier of Greek Life in the past. When these organizations were started, many chose to select Greek Letters as an identifier. These letters usually have a significant and deeper meaning to initiated members.

The first fraternal organization, Phi Beta Kappa, was founded in when students realized a need to discuss current events outside the classroom. These secret societies have since taken on a broader role to develop the moral, leadership, and social skills of their members. Each individual fraternity and sorority possesses a set of principles that guide the actions of its members. If you are interested in learning more, read this post from Greek Yearbook.

The word fraternity comes from the Latin word "frater" meaning brother. It meant cleaning, maintaining, and paying for the property, and in some cases building the house! Since many of the members were now formally living together, recreational activities came to the forefront since they were spending so much time together.

Economic concerns also became a priority, simply because it takes money to own and maintain a property. But the Chapter House gave its members the opportunity to learn more practical skills and offered them the chance to take on more responsibility and gain leadership skills. Originally members were given formal invitations and initiated one by one, often on separate occasions.

But with many organizations now having their own houses that needed to be kept full, they often fiercely competed for the interests of incoming freshman.

Today, "rush" has been replaced by "recruitment", signifying the active role a chapter takes to find the best members for their organizations. The very first fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa was founded in , and was kept a "secret". In they disclosed their secrets and bylaws. Today, some fraternities keep their traditions and constitutions secret, and some publish them. These items no longer held the importance in the curriculum that they had previously. So as time went on, teachings of The Classics became less and less common.

As a result, the meanings of many of the rituals the fraternity was originally based on began to fade and become unknown to its members. Due to this lack of knowledge, some fraternities began to depend on theatrical aspects of ceremonies, as opposed to the deeper, more profound meaning that had essentially been lost. Some say this was the period in which "Hazing" took its roots.

There are also traditions surrounding fraternity items. An exception to this rule is the old tradition where a fraternity man's sweetheart is given and allowed to wear the letters or symbol of the organization.

It is not tradition for men to wear their sweetheart's letters or symbol. Since the beginning of Greek Life, there have been vehement critics.

So it is important to note that Greek Organizations truly have become more than just an extracurricular activity, but a way of life. Greek Organizations have fought for their continued existence throughout all kinds of hardships.

Although chapter and member numbers may have fluctuated over time, The Greeks have survived every major period of chaos it has encountered and other tragedies including The Revolutionary War, The Civil War, World War I and II, the Great Depression, The Vietnam War, and the turmoil and upheaval of the 's and 70's, just to name a few.

In the past some Universities have tried to shut them down and some state governments have tried to disband them. Then see which chapters you can join at Ball State that are right for you and review the general process to join. Toggle search Toggle navigation. Search Button. Fraternity and Sorority Life. Become a Member. FSL Initiatives. Get Involved. Documents, Forms, and Resources.

What is a Fraternity or Sorority? About Our Office. Find a Chapter. Contact Us. Origin The first Greek organization was founded in , when students realized a need to discuss current events outside the classroom.

Benefits Fraternities and sororities allow students to meet many people through social events, service projects, recruitment, and intramural events. Activities Greeks participate in many activities on campus and in the community. Social Activities For many students, the Greek social life helps make attending the university a more fulfilling experience. Community Service Finally, community service is an important aspect of fraternity and sorority life.

What questions should I ask before joining a fraternity or sorority? What is expected of fraternity or sorority members? How will membership affect my academics? What leadership opportunities are available to students as both new members and initiated members? Does the chapter perform hands-on community service?

If so, how often? Does the fraternity or sorority require members to live in the facility if housing is available? If so, for how long? What are the expenses associated with membership? How does this vary? What type of member is the chapter looking for?

What values does this organization promote? Is the organization officially recognized by the university? If not, why is this the case? What is the time commitment? Describe the new member orientation process. What are the expectations of new members?

Why should I join your fraternity or sorority? How well do you know the members in your chapter? What benefits can your chapter offer me now and after I graduate? How involved are your alumni members?

How is your chapter different than the others? Why did you join your chapter? If I'm new to campus, should I wait before I join? What and when is intake? Intake occurs at various times throughout the year at the discretion of each organization.

What is recruitment or rush? There are two forms of recruitment: formal and informal. After completing the orientation, new members are initiated into the organization.

Do I need a recommendation letter to join in a Panhellenic sorority? How do I determine which organization is best for me? Each organization is founded on different beliefs and values. Aren't fraternities and sororities just like the ones in the movies and on TV? Will Fraternity or Sorority membership affect my grades? How much time does fraternity or sorority membership require? Will Fraternity and Sorority Life help me find a job? All of the following will help you as you enter the job market in a few years: Fraternities and sororities provide you the opportunity to gain skills you will be able to list on a resume and speak about in an interview.

Fraternities and sororities are families, communities, but they are also legal corporations. Many members live and learn to work within this environment. Officers within each chapter are elected to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization.

These officers are assisted by members serving on committees and by alumni who act as advisors.