Eastern Michigan is host to dozens of fraternities and sororities. Contrary to the “Animal House” stereotype, these organizations are focused on a number of social, political and philanthropic goals. Below are just a few of the Greek organizations new and returning students may be interested in joining.
Phi Sigma Pi
Alpha Phi chapter of Phi Sigma Pi, established in 1992, describes itself as “the collegiate melting pot.” Men and women are welcome to join, though they must meet rigorous academic requirements. PSP is an honors fraternity that requires members to have at least a 3.0 GPA, take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester and have at least two semesters left before graduation.
PSP gives a great deal of support to Teach for America, a national movement to close the achievement gap between students of varying class and ethnicity. PSP offers grants to alumni who join Teach for America after college and members who are still in college can enroll in both Alternative Break Projects. These projects offer members the chance to work in impoverished public schools by doing construction work to improve school infrastructure or working with students as classroom assistants.
Zeta Phi Beta
Described on its Web site as “a community-conscious, action-oriented organization,” EMU’s Pi Delta chapter of ZPB has been in existence since 1972. ZPB members have supported and volunteered for a number of community outreach programs.
The Stork’s Nest Project is a national project supported by ZPB in conjunction with the March of Dimes. Donations raised by sorority members go to providing food and support to pregnant women in need. ZPB has held car washes as well as clothing and canned food drives to raise money.
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Founded near the turn of the 20th century, TKE has since boasted many notable alumni such as Ronald Reagan and Mike Huckabee. EMU’s Delta Pi chapter of TKE was founded in the 1950s and currently has more than 30 members.
“TKE is a social frat,” house chair Alexander McKay said, “but a number of alumni become involved in politics after they graduate. I joined because I wanted to meet new people and to possibly get involved in the state department.”
TKE is not, however, a political fraternity.
“We were traditionally a more conservative frat,” McKay said. “But over the years we’ve been attracting more liberal members. Our members showcase a lot of diversity when it comes to social and political views.”
TKE hosts a number of philanthropy events. Last year the fraternity got involved in Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, an international movement to stop rape, sexual assault and gender violence. Members collected donations that were given to a local women’s shelter and also held a demonstration in which members donned high heels and other women’s footwear to raise
public awareness.
Alpha Sigma Tau
One of Ypsilanti’s oldest lasting organizations, the Alpha chapter of AST, was founded in 1899 when EMU was known as Michigan State Normal College. Today, AST has more than 20 members. According to the sorority’s Web site, AST was founded to “promote the ethical, cultural and social development of its members.”
In the past years the sorority has worked with animals by volunteering at the Humane Society, sponsored a three-day auction in the Student Center in which proceeds were given to the Alzheimer’s Association and staged a 24-hour Teeter-Totter-Athon fundraiser in cooperation with the Lamda Chi fraternity in which all of AST’s funds were donated to Habitat
for Humanity.
Over the next month EMU’s Greek organizations will be recruiting new members. Starting at Fajita Fest from 5-8 p.m. Monday at University Park, fraternities and sororities from the Inter-Fraternity Council, College Panhellenic Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council will be there to pass out fliers and sign new pledges.
The following week is the Student Organizations Fair, taking place from 11-2 p.m. on Sept. 17 in front of the Student Center. From Sept. 14-23 there will be will be sign-up tables at the Student Center, across from Wendy’s, from 11-2 p.m.
On Sept. 15 there will be a “Meet the Greeks” tent outside Pray-Harrold from 11-2 p.m. Recruitment Week officially starts Sept. 28 and runs until Oct. 10.
For more information on Greeks at EMU, or to sign up, send an e-mail with your name, year of graduation and GPA to EMUfallrecruitment@gmail.com.