Friday, August 31, 2007
Fostering Greek Life
 A senior’s personal experience with the benefits of brotherhood guides him to promote Greek life at the University of Southern Indiana.Nick King, a member of Alpha Sigma Phi social fraternity, has an unwavering belief that the fraternal bond “saved my life.” The Greek experience has given King focus. King said, “In the first four semesters at USI, I had no motivation and my 1.8 grade point average showed it. I had been invited to join a fraternity, but my concept of a fraternity was from fictional accounts in movies and television. “I’m glad Greek Life found me. My GPA has improved, and I’m active in campus life. I have gained confidence in my ability to succeed.” This year King is president of the Interfraternity Council, a coordinating body for fraternity recruitment and interfraternal relations at USI. The nine-member Interfraternity Council includes a representative from each of the six fraternities at USI; a delegate from Panhellenic Council, the counterpart for USI sororities; and the Greek advisor from the Student Development Office. In addition to coordination responsibilities, the council has a judicial board to handle disciplinary action as needed. King said, “Greek Life has the potential to grow to be the largest USI student organization on campus, taking into count all students who join a fraternity or a sorority.” King, the son of Dean and Lisa King, is from North Judson, a town in Starke County in northern Indiana. He is a senior who is majoring in public relations and advertising. In addition to his Greek activities, King is a student member of the architectural planning committee for University Center renovation and he has been involved with Homecoming planning. He is a delegate to the Panhellenic Council and has been active in Interfraternity Council for three years. Recruitment in September The fraternities and sororities will be recruiting new members in September. Sorority recruitment is September 12 to 17 and fraternity recruitment is September 17 to 22. King encourages students to consider Greek life. He said, “You can be a Greek before the end of the semester, and you can be president of the chapter within a year.” Campus advisor Dani Dencklau is the new Greek advisor in the Student Development Office. A graduate assistant for Greek Life at Southern Illinois University before joining USI, Dencklau earned her master’s degree in education with an emphasis on college student personnel at the Carbondale campus. A national connection Fraternities at USI have support from national offices and the North American Intefraternity Council and similar organizations are available for sororities. The national groups place emphasis on academic achievement and leadership and offer organizational support for individual chapters at colleges across the country. Greek life offers: • an academic support system • hands-on experience leading committees and managing budgets • interaction with faculty and administration • exposure to potential careers through educational programs and discussion with alumni • an opportunity to help the community through service projects • close friends who are supportive throughout life. (A developing story, check back for updates.) |
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