Spotlight on the Greek System

Joining a Greek organization can be one of the biggest choices of a college student’s life. Going Greek at Utah State University is something only 1.9% of campus population chooses to do, according Alanna Hill. Hill was a Sigma Kappa at Indiana State University. She is now the Fraternity and Sorority Advisor at USU.

Being Greek at USU is, in some ways, a lot different than being Greek at other schools. While most Greek communities are aiming for the same goals, there is something that sets USU’s Greeks apart.

“Utah has very few universities with Greek Life at their campus. Therefore less people understand the Greek System. With that being said, our organizations offer great leadership skills, academic opportunities and values congruency,” Hill said.

Value congruency happens when there is a match between member and organization value systems. This results in positive outcomes for the member and the organization as a whole.  “Most people don’t understand these values and fraternities and sororities are put in a very small stereotyped box,” Hill said.

“To me the best thing about being Greek is having a constant support system behind me. It has also gotten me to be a lot more involved on campus and given me amazing networking opportunities,” said Kappa Delta member, Brooke Lawely. “We have a lot of pride in our community and that shows to other people when we wear letters.”

USU’s Greeks wear pin attire, skirts and slacks, on Mondays, and their letters on Tuesdays. Greek communities across the United States have similar traditions.

“The awesome thing about the USU Greek community is how they try to live out their ritual. We have opportunities in which Greeks participate to get to understand what it means to be Greek as well as teach others. The community here also does not tolerate hazing and being purely social organizations.”

The Greek community at USU only has 7 organizations right now, but since the 1920’s there has been over 15. (c. Dean)