During the fall, Union University’s Interfraternity Council hosts recruitment for men interested in joining a fraternity. This is a two-week period in which male students are able to learn about and potentially join one of Union’s three fraternities: Alpha Tau Omega, Lambda Chi Alpha and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
During recruitment, men will learn about the brotherhood of each fraternity, learn about the philanthropies that each fraternity supports and meet each chapter’s members.
Union University prides itself on providing a unique Christian atmosphere within Greek life. Unlike secular schools, the university provides a place for fraternities to unite through Union’s Christ-centered foundation, which allows for authentic brotherhood.
Joining a fraternity is a lifelong opportunity. If you are unsure if this commitment is right for you, here are 5 facts about men’s Greek life at Union.
- It allows you to become part of a diverse community
“One of my favorite things about being in Lambda Chi Alpha and its brotherhood is how it can take 70-plus men from all different walks of life and create a unity and bond of brotherhood unlike any other,” said junior business administration major Hayes Bell, member of Lambda Chi Alpha. “Each member of Lambda Chi is very unique and brings something completely different to the table.”
Each house on Greek Row is different, each bringing something unique to the table. However, each brotherhood is also unique within itself. This allows for people to truly find a home that is the best fit for them.
- It gives you a house away from home and your dorm room
Although Union does not allow students to live in the fraternity houses like at most secular schools, each fraternity is represented with their own house on campus. Each house provides a private place for the fraternities to meet and connect.
One of the toughest things about moving into college is not having a designated space with which you resonate. This familiarity and comfort is sometimes hard to find in your dorm room. Having a familiar hangout space can help ease the tension of moving away from home.
- It provides an opportunity for improved social skills
“Coming from the little town of Marion, Arkansas, I didn’t know a soul coming into Union,” said junior cell and molecular biology major Hayden Rash, member of Alpha Tau Omega. “The quickest way to meet people was to go through rush, join a fraternity, and to grow alongside other freshmen going through the exact same scenario that I was.”
Whether you join a fraternity or not, going through rush allows you to meet other guys that are going through a similar experience. This opportunity develops social skills by allowing you to introduce yourself, find ways to connect with others, assess relationships and undergo somewhat of an interview process.
“The values and lessons I have learned in Lambda Chi are unmatched, as I have grown mentally, spiritually, and emotionally since picking up [a fraternity],” said Bell.
- It gives you a way to give back
Interested in community service? Union’s fraternities were founded with Christian ideals and with the purpose of giving back. Each fraternity on campus supports different philanthropies to give back nationally and to the Jackson community.
- It promotes the values of scholarship and campus involvement
The fraternities on campus have at least an average GPA of 3.0. Union’s mission of academic excellence helps to lay a foundation for the fraternities. Within each, the men are held accountable to maintain a certain grade point average, and each fraternity has certain requirements to help hold each man to an honorable standard. These requirements include getting involved in other clubs on campus and supporting the other fraternities and sororities.
There are many reasons why getting involved in a fraternity could be a good fit, including getting involved on campus and having an avenue to give back. Above all, getting involved in Greek life allows for an opportunity to be a part of a community.
“I decided to join a fraternity at Union because it allowed me to finally have brothers, which I didn’t have when I first came to Union,” said senior cell and molecular biology major Parker Lewis, member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. “No one wears a mask, and I truly feel that I can be myself, no matter what.”
If you are interested in learning more about each fraternity and the upcoming recruitment activities, visit https://www.uu.edu/studentlife/greek/interfraternity-council.cfm.
