Because the University boasts one of the largest and most vibrant Greek systems in the country, at times it can seem like Greek life is everywhere. While being in the Greek system does not necessarily define a person’s collegiate experience, those involved say it has enhanced it.

Both fraternities and sororities offer students the chance to join a brotherhood or sisterhood, make new friends and network, take on leadership roles and excel academically.

Most chapters in the Greek system have minimum GPA requirements in order to initiate or stay an active member. Some chapters have taken initiatives in order to assist their members in meeting their academic goals. Mike Wong, sophomore in FAA and vice president of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s Residential Learning Community (RLC), said his chapter has created an RLC program that complements the members’ goals of becoming “balanced men.”

Sigma Phi Epsilon is the only fraternity on campus that recruits professors to teach an accredited course to their members in their chapter house. Wong said between 45 and 50 fraternity men enroll in the in-house course, which is a finance course this semester.

“It’s really one on one with the professor,” Wong said. He added that the house has an office for the professor where office hours are held as well as an RLC area to study in. The chapter recently received a grant to renovate the first floor and their executive room, outfitting it with new tables, chairs and white boards to help the men achieve academic success. Last semester, the men of Sigma Phi Epsilon had the third highest GPA in the InterFraternity Council, with a GPA of 3.38.

Sororities also offer incentives and assistance so their members can find academic success in their four years here. Alpha Epsilon Phi was ranked first last year out of all the sororities in the Panhellenic Community with a GPA of 3.58. Jamie Finkle, sophomore in AHS, is the chapter’s vice president of operations and said the girls work hard to keep their grades up because scholarship is one of the columns their house was founded on.

“It’s something we’re very proud of,” Finkle said. “Scholarship is extremely important. I think Greek life is not detrimental at all (to scholarship). Some people look at what they see on TV and think it’s negative, but we really do put value our education here and put an emphasis on it.”

Finkle said there is a study room in the house that is always quiet available for girls to use, as well as incentives such as “Smart Cookie” and the “Skippy Jar” where members are rewarded at weekly meetings for doing well on exams and projects and attending classes.

Sara Maeglin, sophomore in LAS, said her sorority employs a similar incentive program in order to keep the women motivated to do well in school.

The women of Sigma Delta Tau were ranked second-highest GPA last semester, and Maeglin said being in a sorority creates an environment that is conducive to academic success.

“Just being in the house, you automatically meet older girls within your major,” Maeglin said. “You can talk to these girls if you need help. Having a support system is the most important thing.”

The women of Delta Delta Delta have shown in recent years that it is possible to balance school and a social life. Becky Vlahos, sophomore in LAS and vice president of academics, said her house has made great strides in recent years academically because of steps taken by previous executive boards that placed a greater emphasis on scholarship. She said the chapter holds study hours three times per week and puts on resume workshops with people from the Career Center. Members who attend are rewarded with points, helping them when the time comes to pick rooms in the house or get parking spots.

“Above all, you’re here to do well in school, to study and succeed, and to make something of yourself,” Vlahos said.“Instilling those values very early on helps carry through as you progress in college.”