• WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN A FRATERNITY

• FRATERNITY FACTS

• WHAT IS RUSH

• RUSH DATES

• DEFINITIONS OF GREEK TERMS

• MAPS TO THE FRATERNITY HOUSES

LEADERSHIP

    The University of Toledo Greek community is dedicated to building future societal leaders by providing a wealth of leadership opportunities for Greek members. From social issues to academic, business to philanthropy, the leaders of today are gaining their leadership edge from their fraternity experiences. Membership in a fraternal organization is one of the most outstanding means of discovering and refining your leadership potential. Within each chapter, members have the chance to assume a wide spectrum of leadership roles. These roles may range from serving as rush chair to treasurer, social chair to president. Within each fraternity exists anywhere from five to twenty different leadership positions, all requiring different degrees of skills and investments. Opportunities to learn and practice leadership stretch beyond chapters. There are many system-wide leadership roles open on the IFC, Panhellenic, and other Greek programming organizations. Beyond the Creek community, fraternity men are involved in nearly one of the 220 registered student organizations at UT. Just a few of the student organizations in which Greeks were actively involved with last year include: Student Government, Student Union Board, Varsity Sports, Club Sports, MECHA, ISA, GAMMA, BACCHUS, Student Alumni Council, and many Greeks are employed on campus. Other organizations that Creeks are part of are Mortar Board Honor Society, Order of Omega, and Blue Key National Honor Fraternity.
 

PHILANTHROPY COMMUNITY SERVICE

Philanthropy projects are events in which the Greek community as a whole, or as individual chapters,
donate their time and efforts to raise funds to benefit some worthwhile cause. Each chapter on our
campus plans at least one philanthropy project during the year to benefit agencies such as the United
Way, Red Cross, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Abused Children, American Cancer Society,
etc..  Another big philanthropy that the Greek community has done in the past in “Touch Up Toledo."
This is where different organizations would go around the Toledo area and fix up the outside of
people's homes by painting them. This was a lot of fun because it gave much of the University
community to a chance to get involved and meet one another. Philanthropy projects and community
service are more than just helping out a cause. It shows the community what Greeks are really like
and it is a lot of fun for everybody involved.

ATHLETICS

The University of Toledo fraternities participate in a comprehensive intramural system in which
athletes of all caliber may find a place where they have fun and find physical challenge. Currently our
fraternities  compete in over 15 sports. Each chapter usually mans several different teams in each
sporting event. The "A" team in each fraternity is comprised of the best athletes in each sport. This
category is the highest level of competition. The "B" team sports are also highly competitive, but do
not compete for sports points. In each team category, chapters compete for sports points. The points
are totaled at the end of each year, and the chapter with highest point total is awarded the Dean
Parks Sports Trophy. Whatever sport it is, and whatever skill level you play at, you will always find
an opportunity to play on a team in the Intramural Fraternity League.

SCHOLARSHIP

Academic achievement is the first and foremost priority of any University of Toledo students.
Scholastic  achievement is central to the mission of each of our fraternities. Each chapter places
strong emphasis on creating an atmosphere conducive to high academic performance, as well as
challenging each man to live up to his highest academic potential. Each fraternity at Toledo
implements various programs designed to assist members in their academic pursuits. Programs range
from tutoring, help with scheduling, quiet study areas in the house, study tables for new members, test
files, and awards for good grades. Additionally, most organizations provide some financial
scholarships supported by their national organizations and local alumni groups. These efforts reinforce
the belief that academic achievement is an integral part of the University of Toledo fraternity
experience. As a result, the Dean of Students office rewards the fraternity with highest grade point
average with the Dean Parks Academic Achievement Trophy at the end of each year.

SOCIAL LIFE

In addition to the number of scholastic enhancement programs leadership development opportunities,
community service initiatives and competitive athletic experiences available to you, fraternities also
provide balanced social programs for affiliated members. Organized social programs include formals,
date nights, grab-a-date, Homecoming, Parent's Weekend, Greek Week, and other parties with
other fraternities and sororities. In the dictionary, the term "fraternity" is described as a "chiefly social
group linked by similar interests." The first and foremost goal of every fraternity is to bring together a
group of men and teach them values, traditions, and honor, while building everlasting bonds of
friendship. Diversified social programs allow students the opportunity to develop such meaningful
friendships. For years, Creeks across the country have had to deal with the "Animal House" image of
reckless partying and irresponsible behavior. At UT, each chapter maintains a responsible social
policy monitored by IFC and the Dean of Students office.
 

· Nationally, fraternity members acquire grade point averages above all other college men's scholastic rankings.

· Nationally, fraternity members have an overall higher graduation rate than non-Creeks. Seventy-one percent of all fraternity men persist to graduation while only 50 percent of all non-fraternity members graduate.

· All but two U.S. presidents since 1825 have been fraternity men, and 63 percent of the U.S. presidents' cabinet members since 1900 have been fraternity men.

· Studies show that 76 percent of Congress, 71 percent of the men listed in "Who's Who in America," and 85 percent of the Fortune 500 executives belong to a fraternity.

· Since 1910, 85 percent of the Supreme Court justices have been Creek.

· University of Toledo Greeks contribute over 17,000 community service hours and over $75,000 to local and national charities annually.

· Over 18 percent of University of Toledo students are affiliated with a fraternity or sorority.
 
 

WHAT IS RUSH
 
 
 
 

RUSH DATES
 
 

Active - A fully initiated member of a fraternity

Alumni - An initiated member who has graduated from college.

Bid - A formal invitation to join a Fraternity.

Chapter - The local membership of the larger national organization.

Fraternity - A national organization for collegiate men bound together by friendship and common goals.

Greek - A member of a fraternity or sorority.

Initiation - A traditional ritual which brings a man into full membership with his fraternity.

Interfraternity Council - (IFC) A representative governing body of all of The University of Toledo's nationally recognized fraternities.

Legacy - A prospective member whose grandfather, father or brother is an alumni or initiated member of a certain fraternity.

New Member/Pledge - A student who has accepted the bid of a fraternity and who enters into a period of education in order to learn the history, traditions, and goals of the fraternity.

Panhellenic Council - A representative governing body of all women's sororities.

Philanthropy - The effort by fraternities and sororities to increase the well-being of the community through charitable aid or donations.

Ritual - Traditional secret beliefs of a fraternity.

Rush - The membership recruitment process of a fraternity.

Rushee - An undergraduate college man who participates in fraternity Rush.

Sorority - A collegiate undergraduate organization for women.