Greek Life: More than Family

Natalia Ribeiro Joining a chapter brings more than just friendships and experiences.

When students arrive on campus, one thing they may notice is Greek organizations tabling during Club Week. FAU is home to 27 Greek chapters which are broken down into 12 sororities and 15 fraternities.

Valerie Malfa, president of the College Panhellenic Association, said that a sorority o ers more than just opportunities.

“Genuine lifelong friendships, networking opportunities inside and outside of FAU, exciting leadership opportunities of di erent levels, fun philanthropy events, and mentorship are just some of the amazing benefi ts of joining a sorority,” said Malfa. “Sisterhood is forever; there are even alumni membership opportunities in the local area and across the country for individual organizations.”

Each Greek chapter recruits new members during recruitment week within the fi rst month of the fall semester. For the spring semester, recruitment week is open for the chapters that have open spots for new members. Recruitment o ers prospective members the opportunity to learn about the costs, events, and general information of the di erent sororities or fraternities on campus.

William Powell, treasurer of Lambda Alpha Upsilon, received an internship o er because of the support of the brotherhood and resources provided by the fraternity.

have open spots for new members. Recruitment o ers prospective members the opportunity to learn about the costs, events, and general information of the di erent sororities or fraternities William Powell, treasurer of Lambda Alpha Upsilon, received an internship o er because of the support of the brotherhood and resources provided by the fraternity. 8 | FAU Declassifi ed Alpha Ulipson Members take a moment to pose.

List of Sororities and Fraternities

Sororities

Alpha Delta Pi Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Psi Lambda (Co-ed) Alpha Xi Delta Delta Phi Epsilon Delta Sigma Theta Lambda Alpha Theta Phi Mu Sigma Gamma Rho Sigma Kappa Theta Phi Alpha Zeta Phi Beta Alpha Epsilon Pi Alpha Phi Alpha Alpha Psi Lambda (Co-ed) Delta Tau Delta Kappa Alpha Psi Lambda Alpha Upsilon Omega Psi Phi Phi Beta Sigma Phi Delta Theta Pi Kappa Alpha Pi Kappa Phi Sigma Beta Rho Sigma Chi Sigma Phi Epsilon Sigma Nu

Fraternities

“I had the opportunity to gain three leadership positions which assisted me in achieving organizational and personal goals, by which I was able to receive an out-of-state internship o er for one of the big four accounting fi rms,” said Powell.

After a new member joins Greek life, there are dues that they must pay. Each chapter has its own set of costs that are paid di erently from each other, but should a member have fi nancial hardships, there are resources to help them.

Fabio Cabrera, vice president of Lambda Alpha Upsilon, lost his job when he was pledging to the fraternity. Pledging happens after a new member has chosen to commit to a Greek chapter but isn’t fully initiated. Lambda Alpha Upsilon wanted Cabrera to be a part of the chapter and found ways for him to pay his fee.

“They were extremely considerate of the circumstances that weren’t in my control circumstances that weren’t in my control at all,” said Cabrera. at all,” said Cabrera. Diamelys Vargas, external vice president and associate member educator of Alpha Psi Lambda, always told herself that she wouldn’t be a part of Greek life because she had her own ideas of what it would be like. At an FAU FUTUROS retreat, Vargas met a member of Alpha Psi Lambda. It was then that she did more research and decided that the chapter was a fi t for her. Although her process was during the pandemic, she wouldn’t change it for the world.

“I loved fi nally having people in my life that wanted the best for me and pushed me to be the best person,” said Vargas. “I found sisterhood, brotherhood, personal growth, amazing friendships, and the funniest memories.”

Madeline Friedman, vice president of communications of the College Panhellenic Association, said she wouldn’t have met the people who she now calls her second family if she hadn’t gone Greek. “No matter where I go in life, I will always “No matter where I go in life, I will always have my Panhellenic sisters. Going Greek have my Panhellenic sisters. Going Greek helped me fi nd the person in myself that I’ve always wanted to be,” Friedman said.

Members are encouraged to go out and support other chapters as each organization holds events throughout the school year in support of their philanthropies.

“There is always something to do within the Greek community,” Malfa said.

For new members looking to join, Vargas said it can be tempting to pledge with your friends, but it’s okay not to fi t into the same chapter as them.

Vargas said, “Do what’s best for you!”

Students can learn more about the di erent Greek chapters on the Fraternity and Sorority site fau.edu/fslife.