In a move to expand the social offerings for Reinhardt University’s growing undergraduate population, the University will introduce fraternities and sororities on campus as early as fall 2017.
“The decision to add Greek Life is an integral part of the University’s strategic plan for recruiting and retention, leadership development, impacting the local community through service, prospects for networking opportunities, and creating a thriving culture on campus,” said Dr. Walter May, assistant dean of students and director of student activities.
A Greek Life Implementation Committee has been established consisting of faculty, staff and students. Over the past several months, this committee has been reviewing expansion requests from a number of international sororities and fraternities, and the pool has been narrowed to four sororities and three fraternities for campus visits.
“Studies focused on student retention in higher education suggest that when students connect and belong to specific groups on campus they tend to persist toward graduation. At Reinhardt, we know that students who are likely to thrive are those who belong to athletic teams, music ensembles, theatre troupes, student government association, academic honor societies and other constructive organizations and programs. The re-introduction of Greek Life will offer unaffiliated students an opportunity to belong and contribute in a constructive way,” said Dr. Mark A. Roberts, University Provost.
“We will build this new program in a manner than maintains and enhances the University culture, upholds the University’s values of faith, learning and leading, and helps us achieve one of the University’s key strategic objectives, to “grow as a first choice University.”
As part of the campus visit, each sorority and fraternity delegation will make a presentation regarding their organization to the entire campus community. The organization will also invite local alumni and collegians to attend their presentations which will include a Q&A session along with a reception. Invited organizations are members of National Panhellenic Council (NPC), National Multicultural Greek Conference (NMGC) or International Fraternity Council (IFC).
Presentations are scheduled from 2-4 p.m. as follows:
- Monday, March 27 Bannister Glasshouse Zeta Tau Alpha Sorority NPC
- Monday, April 3 Bannister Glasshouse Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority NPC
- Tuesday, April 4 Bannister Glasshouse Gamma Eta Sorority NMGC
- Monday, April 17 Bannister Glasshouse Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority NMGC
- Tuesday, April 18 Dobbs Hall Atrium Kappa Sigma Fraternity IFC
- Wednesday, April 19 Bannister Glasshouse Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity IFC
- Thursday, April 20 Bannister Glasshouse Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity IFC
For more information, contact Dr. Walter May, assistant dean of students and director of student activities, at (770) 720-5540 or wpm@reinhardt.edu.
