Fraternity Life
Pledging
After accepting a bid from a fraternity, new members become pledges or associate members, depending on an individual chapter's program. Pledgeship is the period of time between accepting a bid and becoming and initiated brother. Usually, pledgeship lasts about a semester. During this time, you will come to know the brothers of your chapter, learn about the history of your fraternity as well as the university, and become the best of friends with other members of your pledge class. Your pledge class often works together on several important projects during the year. Within this group you will learn to promote brotherhood and work as part of a team. As a pledge, the fraternity will become a part of your college life. During this time you will grow as a person, and this period will be vital to your initiation as an active Brother.
Leadership and Campus Involvement
One of the greatest opportunities in college is to develop leadership skills and apply these skills in practical applications. The fraternity men at the University of Tennessee are involved in many leadership positions, including student government, community service and academic organizations.
A fraternity will teach, encourage, and help develop your leadership skills and goals, either at the chapter level or beyond. Each chapter is self-governed, and chapter participation will assist you in learning skills in activities such as delegating responsibilities, planning events, solving problems, making decisions, and most importantly, working with other members of the group.
Intramurals
The intramural program at the University of Tennessee is perhaps one of the most enjoyable and visible aspects of fraternity life at UT. Although the program is open to all students, fraternity participation and competition is very strong on campus. The fraternities involved in intramurals compete against each other in friendly rivalries, in sports such as sand volleyball, flag football, softball, basketball, tennis and golf. Excitement and enthusiasm are a big part of the intramural events.
Intramural events also teach the importance of team work. Because of the intense competition, fraternity members learn how success comes from team work and dedication, both on the field and off.
Academic Excellence
Academic achievement is the main concern of all fraternities, although Greek organizations promote the development of men in all aspects of life. Scholarship is a stated ideal and objective of all fraternity constitutions. Furthermore, the IFC mandates that a pledge/new member is not eligible for initiation unless he has maintained at least the cumulative GPA required by that national organization to which he has joined. Not only do fraternities strive to obtain high scholastic marks, they possess advantages over non-Greek counterparts. Also, the national organizations represented by UT's fraternities offer thousands of dollars in scholarship and grants per year to members who prove their academic excellence.
Most chapters maintain in-house quiet hours and study hours. Most importantly, fraternities have the advantage of being able to network within their ranks and match up younger students with an older member who is proficient in a troubling subject. A strong emphasis is placed on scholarship during the pledge semester, and most pledge programs are centered around academic success with mandatory study hours and midterm grade reports. Fraternities strive to create an atmosphere where work ethic, proper attitude, and incentive exist.
Social Activities
Although academic pursuits remain the focus of fraternities at the University of Tennessee, a man's education would be incomplete if he did not step outside of the classroom. It is for this reason that fraternities keep well planned social calendars. Not only does the social experience within the Greek System assist in easing the pressures of academic life, it teaches lessons that books cannot. A variety of social activities teaches a man to be comfortable in any setting. Furthermore, social activities teach young men the essential qualities of good manners, good taste, poise, confidence, and personality. Fraternity social life greatly enhances the college years. Besides teaching important lessons, the social experience will provide some of the longest lasting memories of a man's college career.
Community Service
An important and often overlooked aspect of Greek Life is dedication to serving the community. All Greek organizations support their own philanthropic project. These range from working with senior citizens, the homeless, or at-risk youth and various other charitable organizations. These projects help build moral character among participants as well as teach them to assume their civic responsibility as they become the leaders of our communities. Last year alone, the Fraternity System donated over 5,000 man hours and provided monetary assistance to philanthropic events in Knoxville and the East Tennessee area. The opportunities to serve are endless. Through involvement in the Greek System young men learn to develop their most important quality, the ability to give of themselves.