Dear Parent,
I am privileged to work with the men and women of UT’s fraternities and sororities. Greek students are often held to false stereotypes of excessive drinking and hazing. These students, however, demand more of themselves than their non-Greek peers. They strive for excellence both in and out of the classroom. Greek students value more than just a social experience throughout college; they value community service, academics, brotherhood/sisterhood, and campus involvement.
These students strive for success and they have a long list of accomplishments to prove it: Greeks helped raise over $70,00 for charity last year; Greeks consistently get better grades than their non-Greek peers; and Greeks tend to be more successful post graduation than non-Greeks just to name a few. Greek students work hard and demand more from themselves. It’s not easy being Greek. Fraternity and sorority members must work more than other students, they are accountable to more people and higher standards, and they are challenged in ways that other students cannot understand. Greeks are expected to live by classical ideals and to lead their brothers and sisters to attain excellence.
Personally, being a member of a Greek organization got me involved in community service, pushed me to keep my grades up, and helped me get involved on campus. My best times in college were spent with my sorority sisters; my worst times came when sisters fell short of the sorority’s values and it fell to me to hold them accountable. All of the experiences challenged me and made me a better and stronger person.
I sincerely believe that your student can be a better person through membership in one of our fraternities and sororities. I know that he or she will find a more supportive environment in studies, in social life, and in personal development than would otherwise be possible. I hope you will encourage your student to explore Greek Life at UT.
Sincerely,
Heather Hildebrand
Assistant Director of Greek Life