Going greek

Greek fraternities started as secret societies in American colleges in the late 1800s. At the time, universities had strict rules controlling most aspects of students' lives, from what they were allowed to read to how they should dress.

The strict nature of earlier American colleges led to the formation of secret reading societies, which U greek adviser Lori McDonald said eventually became fraternities and sororities as they are known today.

"They really came out of a desire of students to have their own rules and society, and they have persisted all this time," she said.

In these early fraternal societies, members created ceremonies and adopted Greek symbols and letters to represent their groups. McDonald said sororities didn't come on the scene until the early 1900s because there weren't many women in college when male fraternities were formed.

Now, more than a hundred years later, greek fraternities and sororities continue to have a presence on college campuses around the country.

At the U, there are 15 greek chapters on campus with about 600 members-eight male fraternities and seven female sororities. Eleven of the chapters have houses on Greek Row, located in the Federal Heights neighborhood along the north side of campus.

Students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority should first attend one of the orientation meetings scheduled the week of Aug. 22 through Aug. 25.

Formal recruitment or Rush Week runs from Aug. 26 to Aug. 31. During this period, chapters hold recruitment activities in their houses on Greek Row or in the Union. McDonald said formal recruitment is a time for students interested in Greek Row to learn what sorority or fraternity fits them best.

Nancy Nazarina, president of the Panhellenic Council over sororities, said students should look for chapters that meet their personal preferences.

"Choose to join for yourself-don't join because of one of your friends," she said.

To take part in formal recruitment, students must pay $35, which covers food and activities at the recruitment festivities.

At the end of Rush Week is Bid Day, when students pick the chapters they want to join, and the chapters in turn pick the students they want. The selections are lined up for the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, which make the final decision on which chapter will accept each student.

McDonald said almost every student that rushes is accepted into the greek system, but there is the occasional exception.

While the rush process may be intimidating for some students, McDonald said, Greek Row is open to students of all ages and backgrounds.

Once students are accepted into a greek chapter, they are called pledges for the first semester. After that first semester is over, students must decide whether greek life is for them, and if the answer is yes, they become part of the chapter.

McDonald said the pledge period is essential because once a student decides to join one chapter, that student cannot switch to another greek organization.

"Once you are a member, you are a member for life," she said.