UT Tyler Greek Week!

     "Let the games begin!" was a popular social media trend among Greek patriots here at The University of Texas at Tyler this past week. The UT Tyler Greek life comes together to celebrate Greek Week! Greek Week is a week long process where all fraternities and sororities compete to win it!

UT Tyler Spring Recruitment is here!

                It’s that time of the year again! Spring rush week is occurring this week and next week. The spring semester differs from fall recruitment as this is informal rush week. It is informal because there is no set schedule of when each fraternity will host events.  Each of the three chapters has activities on different days of the week, instead of the extensive process in the fall formal recruitment. This will be my first recruitment week since I got initiated into Sigma Alpha Epsilon this past fall semester. So I will just tell you a little about my personal experience going through this process. I speak only for myself when I say that this has been a great opportunity.

Crossing the finish line!

           Who knew September 3^rd of this year would mark the beginning of something that would change me. Fraternities were never something I saw myself joining. I felt that I didn't fit in the mold of what was portrayed through television and movies. Ever since recruitment began on that day, I have been so thankful of my decision to go through with it. I am thankful to have chosen Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

Officially a new member

                If you've been tracking my Greek life recruitment process, you've known that I got an invitation to become a new member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE). After last Thursday September 12^th, I am now officially on track to be initiated into SΑΕ. I, along with 17 other guys attended our New Member Ceremony.

What does this entail you may ask? This was a commemoration to officially name us, 18 men, as new members. We can officially embark on our journey to know and fully understand the values and creed of the True Gentleman that represents Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

“The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and sympathy; whose deed follows his word; who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own; and who appears well in any company; a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe.”

- John Walter Wayland. Virginia, 1899

It was a publicly held ceremony at the library room 401 where friends and family were welcomed to see this ritual.

This was a ceremonious validation that we were true and loyal to SAE and that we made the right intention in wanting to become fully initiated members in the future.

New Member Class Nu

Throughout the event, I could feel a sense of belonging as I was ecstatic to be a part of something meaningful. This chapter was founded in 1856 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. An organization this old, upheld by the same traditions and values over a century, creates a sense of pride in being affiliated. 

Greek life was never my intent, but after meeting a few members, I could feel that there was a sense of friendship that is elevated as you belong to a brotherhood; all coming together under one organization where you share similar experiences. I haven’t started learning the core values of this brotherhood yet but I am very excited to start this new chapter in my life!

If Greek life sounds like something you would like to join, there is spring recruitment next semester so be sure to keep a look out for that!

If you guys would like to know more about Greek life click here!

Click here to contact Greek life!

Rush Week!

                The rush of adrenaline is indescribable. The excitement of something building up causes the heart to race as notions of uneasiness are building up. Ever since I signed up for recruitment in August, I waited for this moment.

Have you thought about going Greek?

                There are over 70 organizations on campus. There’s something for everybody to get involved in. There’s a tennis club for those active players, and even a hot tub club to unwind from school stress.

                I never really got involved on campus due to my focus in classes. This will change this semester. I only have two years left here at UT Tyler, so I want to make the most of it. This is why I decided to join something big. Greek Life.

  

                I never thought it was for me, but I finally came to the conclusion that if you don’t try new things, how will you venture into anything worthwhile in your life?

                There are three fraternities and three sororities on campus:

 The Interfraternity Council:

•          Sigma Alpha Epsilon
•          Pi Kappa Phi
•         Kappa Sigma

College Panhellenic  Council:

•          Alpha Chi Omega
•          Delta Gamma

National Pan-Hellenic Council:

•          Delta Sigma Theta

                Each fraternity and sorority has their own unique core values representing themselves in different ways. They also have their own philanthropy leading different service projects. You can learn more about it from their own website.

                To join a fraternity or sorority you first have to register for recruitment.

          In order to join, there are a few requirements: you need to have a 2.5 cumulative GPA in high school or college, be a full time student enrolled in at least 12 hours, have not ever been initiated into membership of an NIC fraternity and finally you must register by the deadline.

                The deadline for fall registration was the 3^rd of September.

                Once you register, you attend the formal recruitment which is September 3-7.

                You may be thinking…how do I approach these guys and girls and get to know more about them?

Sigma Alpha Epsilon displaying their letters

                Each chapter usually has information tables around campus, usually at the University Center, near rush week. This fall they had these tables around welcome week as well as hosting an event called Greek Life Fall Fest on August 28^th.

Local band performing

    I attended this event where the Greek chapters got to meet and socialize with students interested in joining Greek life. This way, students were able to unwind from school that day.There was a local band playing, setting a relaxing energy as everyone mingled. Food was not present but the ice cream was a great compensation, especially for this Texas heat!

                I’m excited to embark on this journey to hopefully become a member of a great fraternity.

                So go ahead and check out my rush week process as I experience recruitment this week!

                If you would like more information about Greek life, feel free to contact them!

               

Greek Life

What is Greek Life? Greek life is a community made up of fraternities and sororities. The terms fraternity and sorority describe groups of men and women who join together to offer fellowship, academic support, leadership training, participation in campus activities, service to the community and University, and preparation for future careers. Sororities and fraternities are named after 2 or 3 letter combinations of letters from the greek alphabet.

Do you want to be involved? Here at UT Tyler we have several different fraternities. We have Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE), Pi Kappa Phi (Pi Kapp), and Kappa Sigma (Kappa Sig). We have 2 sororities which are Alpha Chi Omega (AXO) and Delta Gamma (DG). We are currently looking to expand our women's sororities by having an expansion committee come look at our University. These organizations all have Formal Recruitment in the Fall which is normally a 3 or 4 day process in which you get to know the organization and they get to know you. They then decide which of the people going through recruitment are the best fit for them. If you make it through all of the nights then you will receive your bid on the last day which is called Bid Day. We also hold informal recruitment or Continuous Open Bidding (COB). COB is usually a 1 night event in which you get to know the members and at the end they again decide if they feel you fit their membership criterias. If they do they will extend you a bid which would allow you to become a member.

Are there leadership oppurtunities? Fraternity and sorority members hold a large number of campus leadership positions and participate in leadership and developmental conferences on a local and national level.

What does Greek Life do? Each organization has their own Philanthropy which they support through various events throughout the year. Each year, philanthropic events allow Greeks to contribute their time and effort in many ways and benefit the community by generating hundreds of hours of service and thousands of dollars in fund raising. Greeks also hold mixers within the Greek community. These are times where they mix and mingle with members of the other organization to get to know them and their organization better. They are always willing to participate in other organizations events as well.

Why go Greek? Greek life is a great resource to get students involved. It also has numerous ways for students to get scholarships to get them through school. Being greek allows you to meet people who have connections for after school. It also gives you an amazing brotherhood and sisterhood that last forever!

For more information about Greek Lifeat UT Tyler click here >> Greek Life at UT Tyler!

For Greek Life 101 Click Here!

Greek Week 2011!

             Greek Week 2011 is already in full swing. Participation in Greek week is not restricted to Greek organizations only though! This week is about what it is to BE a member of Greek life. Whether it be friendly competitive sports, community service, or just having fun, Greek Week offers exciting events for all UT Tyler students.
       Make sure you come out and get a taste of what it is to be involved in Greek life at UT Tyler. 
Greek Week 2011 Schedule of Remaining Events:
Wednesday, March 30
T-shirt: Wear your letters Faculty/Staff Appreciation Breakfast UCN Ballroom (3300 A-E)
7:30 a.m. -9:00 a.m. Greek Games Ornelas field 3:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Post-game party Ornelas field 5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. All-University Kickball tourney Intramural Field 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, March 31
T-shirt: pin attire Greek Lunch UC 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Lip Sync dress rehearsal UC Theater 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Friday, April 1 T-shirt: Greek Week shirt Lip Sync & Greek Week Awards UC Theater 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

Friday, April 1
T-shirt: Greek Week shirt Lip Sync & Greek Week Awards UC Theater 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m