QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF AND OTHERS
- Why should I pledge?
- What are the expectations of a new member (financially, economically, and socially)?
- How long is my new member program?
- How much time will I have to devote to being a Greek?
- How is my chapter involved in other philanthropies and community service?
- Can I have a part-time job and still fulfill my commitment to a fraternity or a sorority?
- What rules pertain to living with the chapter and how available is housing?
- What are the financial obligations of an active member?
- How do you promote scholarship?
- Do I see myself in this chapter?
- Am I choosing this chapter for myself?
- How is my chapter involved in other philanthropies and community service?

EXCELLENCE
Greek students graduate knowing that they have experienced college life to the fullest. Membership in one of the 28 Greek Letter organizations on the campus of Southern Miss lasts forever and the benefits are endless..

LEADERSHIP AND CAMPUS SERVICE
Leadership attributes are nurtured throughout the Greek system. Greeks take active leadership roles in nearly every campus organization. Greeks serve on all three branches of the Student Government Association and have been inducted into every honorary society on campus. They are annually representatives of the university's Hall of Fame and Who's Who and are chosen Mr. and Ms. USM. Through Greek life, you become an important part of the university neighborhood as well as the Hattiesburg community. Through campus and community service projects, the Greeks have helped make life around them stronger and more exciting.

USM COMMUNITY SERVICE
The University of Southern Mississippi Greeks are dedicated to giving aid to the community in the form of community service and philanthropic events. Greeks spent 15,000 hours performing community service and raised more than $55,000 for various local and national charitable organizations. The amount raised and hours served have more than doubled in the past two years.

SCHOLARSHIP
All Greek members know the importance of scholastic excellence. Sororities and fraternities help make the transition from high school and community college a little easier by incorporating scholarship programs with the chapter. Greeks excel in the area of academics. The average Greek grade point average is considerably higher than that of the average non-Greek student.

POLICIES

HAZING STATEMENT
Fraternities and sororities at The University of Southern Mississippi expect their members to strive for academic achievement, demonstrate responsible citizenship, show concern for the rights and needs of others and provide leadership by promoting self respect for others.

Hazing is any mistreatment, physical or mental, of a new member or initiate, with or without his/her permission. Hazing contributes to the deterioration of pride and self respect held by an individual. Hazing is prohibited by the state of Mississippi, the university, the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council, and individual chapters.

ALCOHOL POLICY
The Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council have adopted a position on alcohol, which opposes the misuse of alcohol and maintains that all chapters, all individual members, and all guests must abide by state, local, and university laws and regulations. Guidelines for social events involving alcohol are established by a risk management committee made up of both Interfraternity and Panhellenic members. All chapters work to educate and foster a better understanding of social responsibility and alcohol education for its.

OCTAA... ON CAMPUS TALKING ABOUT ALCOHOL (required course)
In the effort to promote the health and well-being of the students at USM, the Student Health Service, Counseling Center and University Policy have implemented an innovative alcohol education class.

The OCTAA... On Campus Talking About Alcohol program is an alcohol risk reduction program created by the Prevention Research Institute in Lexington, Kentucky. Its purpose is to help students overcome common misconceptions regarding alcoholism, assess their personal level of risk for alcohol problems, and acquire the knowledge and skills needed to prevent these problems. Research conducted by the Prevention Research Institute has proven that this program has been very successful in reducing high risk drinking choices and the problems associated with those choices. Currently more than 200 universities nationwide use the OCTAA program for their alcohol education efforts.

The class will be offered through the Department of Continuing Education, and will count as one hour of academic credit. The new member class from each fraternity and sorority as well as students from the Athletic Department will be required to take this class. The class will also be open to any other students who are interested.

For more information about the program, please contact Robyn Sutton at 266-5027.
 

GREEK GLOSSARY

Active:  An initiated member.

Alumni: Initiated members who are no longer in college.

Bid: A formal invitation to join a Greek organization.

Big Brother/Big Sister:  An active member chosen to assist and advise a new member.

Chapter: The local branch of the larger national organization designated by a Greek letter name.

Formal Recruitment:  A series of parties given by Greek organizations prior to each fall semester which is governed by the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council.

Initiation: The formal ceremony during which new members take their vows for full membership into the chapter.

Legacy:  A person who has an immediate relative who is either an alumnus or active member of a fraternity or sorority.

New Member:  A member of a fraternity or sorority who is not yet an initiated member.

Panhellenic:  The governing body for the eight sororities on campus.

Philanthropy:  Active effort to promote human welfare.

Quota:  The maximum number of recruits a sorority can pledge.

Recruitment Counselor: An upper-class member from a fraternity or sorority chosen and trained to be with the recruits during Formal Recruitment Week to answer any questions concerning recruitment.

Rec:  A recommendation made by an alumna or collegiate member of a sorority that a recruit should be a future member.

Silence:  There shall be NO contact, written or oral, between sorority women and recruits. (This allows the recruit the opportunity to give thoughtful consideration to choosing a sorority.)

Smoker:  Function whereby individuals interested in a fraternity are able to meet with the members and learn more about the organization.

Swap/Mixer:  A theme party between a fraternity and a sorority.

Withdrawal from Recruitment:  Once recruitment has begun, you must first contact your Recruitment Counselor. She will have you sign a withdrawal form and contact your parents before you are allowed to leave campus.