Benefits of Greek Life
Come find friendships and sisterhood for life. Sororities provide a home away from home, leadership, community service, educational opportunities, and most important of all--FRIENDSHIP!
By joining a sorority, you will encounter countless possibilities at UT. You will make life-long friends, develop social and leadership skills, serve your community, strengthen your academic skills, and find the support and confidence to accomplish your goals. Find out more below.
What is Panhellenic?
The Panhellenic Council is a group of women who are elected and appointed from the various sororities at the University of Tennessee. These women are the representatives of our Panhellenic community. They coordinate a variety of activities that involve every sorority, such as fundraiser's for campus needs and service projects. The Panhellenic Council's main objectives are to recruit women, develop women and to do everything in its power to improve the Greek system. Our Panhellenic is one of the strongest in the Southeast. Involvement in Panhellenic is an experience which will enrich your college career as well as your life.
Scholarship
As a student at the University of Tennessee, scholarship is one of the most important aspects of your college life. UT sororities take great pride in achieving high scholastic standards. The average sorority woman maintains above a 3.0 college GPA. Each chapter has a specific scholarship program that encourages each member to strive for academic excellence. Sororities do this by regulating study hours, maintaining resource files, rewarding those who do well, and helping those with difficulties. Academic networking is a major benefit of sorority life. You have immediate access to upperclassmen who can inform you about different majors, advisors, professors, test styles, and study skills.
The Panhellenic Council further assists the sororities by providing academic information, awarding scholarships, co-sponsoring honor societies, and providing tutoring lists.
Sorority women realize that the only way to achieve in college and in life is to learn, and they do their best to help each other and to prove that you can achieve academic success while having fun.
Intramural's
Sorority women participate in intramural sporting events throughout the school year. Women can compete in soccer, volleyball, tennis, flag football, and basketball, just to name a few. Intramural's are a great way to stay in shape, participate in healthy competition, and have tons of fun with your sisters!
Sorority women also compete on university athletic teams. We have representatives on the swimming, diving, rowing, pom squad, dance, majorette, and soccer teams.
Social Life
There is never a dull moment for sorority women at the University of Tennessee. UT chapters have date parties, fraternity mixers, and formals throughout the year. Whether you are out at a chapter function, hanging out on the sorority floor, or just out to dinner with a sister, you'll always be surrounded by friends.
Leadership
One of the biggest benefits you can receive from joining a sorority is the opportunities for leadership. A sorority allows you to get involved not only in your own chapter, but on campus as well. Greeks at the University of Tennessee make up only 17% of the student body, however we hold over 75% of the leadership positions on campus.
No matter where you look on the UT campus, you will find Greek women. Sorority women hold positions in organizations such as the Student Government Association, the Central Programming Council, professional societies, and honor societies. They also serve as Resident Assistants, Orientation Leaders, UTK Ambassadors, student athletes, and much, much more.
Membership in a sorority is an ideal way to get involved. Since Greeks participate in a variety of student-run events there is always an opportunity to represent your chapter on one of the many planning committees. Sorority women are also committed to leadership education. Panhellenic and IFC host an annual leadership conference each spring called Greek Advance. All chapters host programs, seminars and retreats throughout the year as well.
Additionally, each chapter depends on the special talents of its membership to coordinate the self-governing aspects of the organization. From the management of the chapter suite and budget, to the programming of chapter activities, the decisions are made by the members of the sorority.
Whether serving as an officer, member, or on a committee, the opportunities to apply and enhance your leadership abilities are provided and encouraged.
Service
Sororities at the University of Tennessee spend thousands of hours each semester doing community service projects and raising money for charities. Each chapter has its own philanthropy which it serves at a local and national level.
Panhellenic also does service projects as a collective body. Some of the projects we have been involved with this year include donations to Habitat for Humanity, and participating in Dance Marathon, a fund-raiser that benefits Children's Miracle Network.
Panhellenic is also very proud to spend our time working with the hundreds of children from the Boys and Girls Club during holidays throughout the year. UT is the university of volunteers. And in keeping true to that reputation, the UT Panhellenic Council was recognized for our service efforts at the Southeastern Panhellenic Conference.
Each sorority at UT works throughout the year to raise money and contribute their time and energy to their national philanthropy. The following is a short list of each UT chapter's annual fundraisers.
Sisterhood
One of the greatest benefits of a sorority is the indescribable relationships that members develop with one another. Friendships that last a lifetime are cultivated through sorority activities and relationships. Sorority members refer to one another as sisters. That kind of connection is not taken lightly. Sororities are like many families providing support and encouragement to one another through life's ups and downs. Sisters are there when you need them. Members share stories, laughter, challenges, secrets and most importantly their hearts with one another. The friendships that form between sisters are mutually rewarding. Having sisters is only half as important as being one.