UNO provides many opportunities for you to get involved in campus life, and becoming a fraternity or sorority member is one of them. There is a great possibility that joining OMAHA GREEKS is right for you, but before you make a decision, it's important to make sure you’ve got all the right information.
What can I get out of OMAHA GREEKS that I might not get out of another organization?
Attending college is one of many major life changes you will go through. Joining a fraternity or sorority can help make the transition easier. Through membership, you will develop life-long friendships, professional and personal skills, and a better understanding of community. For most members, chapters become a home away from home. Beyond that, members learn about the bonds that come from brother/sisterhood, enhancing leadership, scholarship, philanthropy, and service. These are experiences that can be gotten in many areas of involvement, but only a few can provide an opportunity for all of them in a single organization.
How will joining a chapter benefit me after college?
Membership in a fraternity or sorority is a lifelong commitment, and joining now is really an investment in your future. Chapters have national networks and alumni chapters for their members to use for career and personal connections and job re-locations. Plus, the friendships you make in your chapter now will last well into your post-college years.
What’s the time commitment when joining OMAHA GREEKS?
The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter, but the first semester is generally the most time intensive as new members go through chapter Education Programs. These programs give students the opportunity to develop leadership and time management skills, learn about chapter history, develop friendships with other new members, as well as the rest of the chapter, and help you become involved in other organizations. After initiation into the chapter, the time commitment will vary as each chapter has regular meetings and mandatory events throughout the year.
What does it cost to be a member of a chapter?
The OMAHA GREEKS experience is an investment in your future. The leadership skills, the academic assistance, and friendships will benefit you even after graduation. Chapters are quite affordable, and the cost to join each chapter varies. In each chapter, a portion of member dues directly supports the chapter and the national organization, while the rest of the dues you pay benefit you and your experience.
Are fraternities and sororities primarily about being social?
The OMAHA GREEKS Community is very social, but there’s much more to the social aspect than you might expect. From service to sports, OMAHA GREEKS social events give students the opportunity to develop new skills, learn about OMAHA GREEKS and the community, and engage in healthy competition. Some great social opportunities include: education programs, community service events, intramural sports, Homecoming, exchanges, and socials. In recent years, some of these have been adapted to be conducted both in person and online.
Will I still be able to focus on academics if I join a fraternity or sorority?
Academics are a top priority in the OMAHA GREEKS Community. When students join a fraternity or sorority, they become part of a larger group of students who value their academics. Chapters understand the challenges members often experience academically and provide support through tutoring, study hours, and OMAHA GREEKS study groups. Each chapter also puts together programs to encourage high academic achievement from members and promote accountability within the organization. This dedication to their education has led to the average GPA among members of OMAHA GREEKS to be above the all university undergraduate GPA.
What is a philanthropy?
A philanthropy is a non-profit cause supported nationally by OMAHA GREEKS chapters. Members of fraternities and sororities support their philanthropies financially, physically, and emotionally. Throughout the year, each chapter fundraises and volunteers for their philanthropy. The time spent on philanthropic events is one of the many times that fraternity and sorority members have an opportunity to bond, while making a difference in the community.
Chapter philanthropies are unique to each chapter. Some of the philanthropies associated with UNO chapters are: Breast Cancer Awareness and Research, Ronald McDonald House, North American Food Bank, Boys and Girls Club, Ollie Webb, Alzheimer's Research, and Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Is there an alcohol policy?
Each chapter has an alcohol policy. There are yearly educational programs that the chapter is required to present to its members on this policy. The OMAHA GREEKS Community also follows all state and federal laws, as well as university policies regarding alcohol use. The OMAHA GREEKS Policy also includes a section regarding events with alcohol.
What about hazing?
Hazing is illegal (a misdemeanor) in the state of Nebraska. Each council at UNO prohibits all forms of hazing as well. A definition of hazing can be found in the University's Student Code of Conduct. If there are any concerns that these have been violated, you can make a report by filling out a OMAHA GREEKS Incident Reporting Form.
If you have any more questions, please contact us at unofsl@unomaha.edu or visit us in the Office of Student Involvement in the Milo Bail Student Center.