Welcome to ULM and our Greek community!
You may have a variety of questions about the fraternity and sorority experience. We hope to answer some of those questions and make you more familiar with Greek life at ULM.
- How Do I Join?
- What is IFC?
- What is Panhellenic?
- What is NPHC?
- Panhellenic Creed
- The power of 3%
- How are fraternities and sororities able to produce so many of our nation's leaders?
- Can Greek life help me succeed academically?
- Do Greeks participate in community service?
- Is it expensive to be Greek?
- Is Greek life really like "Animal House"?
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How do I join?
Membership requirements vary by organization. For current dates and applications for IFC Rush, NPC Recruitment, and NPHC Membership Intake, contact the Office of Greek Life.
What is IFC?
The Interfraternity Council or more commonly referred to as "IFC" is a self-governing body representing the four member fraternities at The University of Louisiana at Monroe. IFC is made up of two parts: an Executive Committee, which is comprised of elected positions, and the General Body, which is made up of two representatives from each chapter. These representatives are usually the chapter president and one delegate.
The IFC strives to promote excellence in all aspects of fraternity life and academic pursuits. The Council also works together to help the entire Greek system better achieve its common goal of membership development and service to the Monroe community. IFC works to achieve these goals through its committee structure focusing on an array of areas including chapter development, scholarship, community service, member education, and alumni and public relations.
The Council is lead by an Executive Committee, which works closely with the Greek Life Advisor. Each year, the Council sponsors numerous educational programs, recruitment events, community service projects, and university and community relations events, such as football tailgates and Greek Unity Week.
The Office of Greek Life is charged with advising the fourteen nationally recognized fraternities and sororities at ULM.
Traditionally, Greek organizations at ULM are strong contributors to the improvement of the university and the community.
Founded on principles of scholarship, leadership, community service and development of lifelong friendships, Greek organizations today still practice these fundamental principles in their pursuit of excellence.
For more information contact:
Keith Hembree
Office of Greek Life
Student Center 256
(318) 342-5289
(318) 342-3516 (fax)
hembree@ulm.edu
What is Panhellenic?
The Panhellenic Council or more commonly referred to as "NPC" is the governing body that is responsible for unifying and governing the three National Panhellenic Conference sororities on ULM?s Campus. The Council is composed of women from each sorority who are responsible for the promotion of scholarship, service and safety for each sorority, as well as the entire Greek Community.
The council is led by executive officers who work hard to promote unity and cooperation among Greek Women. Together, all of these women coordinate formal recruitment, work on philanthropic projects, campus-wide activities, and promoting the most positive aspects of sorority and Greek membership.
What is NPHC?
The National Pan-Hellenic Council or more commonly referred to as "NPHC" and its member organizations have a profound commitment to providing community service and promoting the welfare of the campus and the community. The ULM chapter of NPHC serves as the communication link among the affiliate organizations. Currently at ULM, all nine NPHC member organizations are represented.
NPHC serves as a standard-setting body for the affiliate organizations and strives to foster and maintain a cooperative environment among member fraternities and sororities. The council serves as a forum for the consideration of issues important to its members organizations, and acts as a coordinator of activities and matters of common interest.
Panhellenic Creed
We, as Undergraduate Members of women's fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our abilities, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities.
We, as Fraternity Women, stand for service through the development of character inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.
The power of 3%
Greek men and women represent only 3% of the overall population of America, but that 3% is a very powerful and influential group of individuals:
- 48% of all US presidents have been Greek. Of the 16 U.S. Presidents who had the opportunity to join a fraternity, 13 took that opportunity. President George W. Bush is a member of Delta Kappa Epsilon.
- 42% of US Senators are Greek.
- 30% of US Congress members are Greek.
- 40% of all US Supreme Court Justices have been Greek.
- 30% of the top executives of Fortune 500 companies are Greek.
- 10% of all listed in Who's Who are Greek.
How are fraternities and sororities able to produce so many of our nation's leaders?
To answer this question, we should look at what fraternities and Sororities do.
A college fraternity or sorority provides a young adult with the opportunity to learn how to work together with people, whether it is for higher grades, the best homecoming float, a community service project, or merely to keep the house clean. A Greek Fraternity or Sorority provides a unique combination - it's a family, it's a business, it's a home away from home and it's an organization in which students can develop confidence as they acquire competence.
Too many students come to college, sign up for classes, study from test to test, memorizing material and then feeding it back at test time. They may get good grades and graduate but it is surprising how many college graduates are around looking for jobs because they did not develop the ability to work with people or the basic qualities of leadership while they were in college. The qualities of leadership are easily acquired. They must be tested and developed by each person. A fraternity or sorority provides the opportunity for students to do just that. That is the power of 3%.
Can Greek life help me succeed academically?
Greek letter organizations were founded on the principle of successful scholarship. Academic success is in the student's favor when you factor in help from sisters or brothers, study halls, workshops, and time management strategies. ULM's Greek grade point average is consistently much higher than that of the overall university grade point average.
Do Greeks participate in community service?
Through the support of local and national philanthropies, fraternities and sororities promote ideals that will enhance a member?s college experience. Charities and service organizations have long depended on the dedication and generous time contributed to the community by ULM Greek chapters.
Is it expensive to be Greek?
Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial obligation. Each chapter is self-supporting through dues paid by their members. Although chapters may make accommodations for special needs, students should take into consideration the financial commitment that follows membership in a chapter.
Is Greek life really like "Animal House"?
Many people have the misconception that the image portrayed through television and movies like Animal House is really what is happening on college campuses across America. In reality, this Animal House image of Greek Life could not be further from the truth. Although an individual?s actions are entirely up to him or her, Greeks hold their members accountable for their actions using their founding principles as guides in their activities.
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