Greek social takes over UC “Five Points”

Hosted by Student Life, FMU’s Greek organizations kicked off Rush Week with an ice cream social on Sept. 6 at “Five Points,” formerly known as the Smith University Center (UC) Lawn.   

Showcased at the event were the three Patriot Fraternity Council (PFC) brotherhoods: Kappa Alpha, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Pi Kappa Alpha. Also showcased were the National Panhellenic Council (NPC) sororities Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Delta and Zeta Tau Alpha.   

The event marked the official beginning of Rush Week, a series of events from Sept. 8 to Sept. 15 in which fraternities and sororities meet, and eventually bid on, potential new members.  

Each fraternity and sorority set up a tent and offered students promotional trinkets such as pamphlets, bumper stickers and wristbands.   

“It brings everybody from campus out,” said James Hanna, senior political science major and president of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. “It’s a good way to get the name and face out there for people questioning joining or people who have decided they’re joining but don’t know where they want to go. It’s good for all the organizations involved. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.”  

In the age of COVID-19, organizations have been pushing for more members than in recent years. While the pandemic caused many people to prefer staying in their dorms, this year, student organizations, including Greek life, are holding more events for students to remind them of membership opportunities.   

“COVID-19 did hurt our ability to recruit,” Taylor Tanner, a senior biology major and president of the Kappa Delta sorority, said. “Coming out of that, it’s a little challenging because it’s our first time coming back out and meeting people face to face. Looking forward, we’re trying to grow our sisterhood and instill confidence in our members.”  

The organizations said that, while still following the necessary protocols, they are happy to come out and host these events and have people participate.  

Many Greek organizations claim joining a brotherhood or sisterhood can help make social and professional connections. The sense of community fostered by these groups can show up anywhere in life, whether it be meeting a fellow member at the workplace or finding friends halfway across the country. 

To be able to attend the rush events hosted by each organization, students must sign up for recruitment beforehand. If students encounter issues registering, they may speak with Student Life specialist Andy Matthews in the Student Life office in UC Room 205 C. If there are still open opportunities past the designated Rush Week, students may still be welcome to join, availability pending.  

For more information regarding Greek life, details can be found on the FMU website at https://www.fmarion.edu/studentlife/greek-life/.