1998 Volume 121 No 1–4 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

FRATERNITY AND FOUNDATION
NIC Study: Greeks give more
AS WE TALK, ROB BOLES IS SITTING ON THE BACK STEPS OF HIS
chapter house looking at the place he enjoys so much.
"Four years ago our fraternity was in trouble, but thanks to
some great brothers we have built it up to the strongest fraternity
on campus," says Boles proudly. "I love it. If I had to sum
up why, I'd say it's the friendships."
Boles is the president of CaUfornia Zeta chapter at California
State University-Northridge. After serving in the Marine Corps
in Desert Storm, Boles decided to enroll in college. He was 25
when he joined Phi Delta Theta, and he is finding it to be an
"amazing experience."
Boles and others' positive feelings about Greek life go hand
in hand with the resuks of an independent study showing that
members of fraternities and sororities are more likely to stay in
college.
On behalf of the Research Initiative sponsored by members
of the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and the National
Interfraternity Conference (NIC), the Center
for Advanced Social Research at the Uni-
It DeCOmeS versity of Missouri-Columbia interviewed
part of their ^^^ students who had dropped out. The
/>-i 1 \ study found membership in a fraternity or
^ ' sorority increased retention by 28 percent.
lifestyle to c^aig Loundas, Dean of Student Life at
volunteer'' Widener University in Pennsylvania, says,
-Craig Loxmdas "^^^^ Greeks join, they have made a connection,
whereas another freshman may go
home and think (I) didn't enjoy (the college)
experience. The Greek community has unity because they are
able to connect."
The findings of the NPC-NIC Research Initiative show other
positive aspects to membership in a fraternity or sorority, findings
that offer opportunity to promote the contributions frater-
, nities and sororities make to their members and their colleges
and universities.
"It becomes part of their (Greeks) lifestyle to volunteer," says
Loundas, "We have alumni who come back because they enjoyed
things like our Special Olympics. Some students are even
serving on the boards of the nonprofits they assisted while they
were here."
A study of 1945 and 1955-era alumni indicates that both
Greek and non-Greek alumni are satisfied with their academic
experiences and with their relationships with professors. However,
other independent studies at the University of Missouri-
Columbia show that while Greeks are more satisfied with the
social aspect of college, they are less satisfied with their academic
experiences.
On the other hand Loundas commented, "We are able to en-
Colleen Aiken is a freelance writer in Cincinnati, Ohio
By Colleen Aiken
gage our Greeks in an interaction
that every student does not
get, (such as) leadership retreats
where they are interacting with
faculty."
And many fraternities and
sororities are encouraging good
academic performance and involvement.
"Most sororities on our campus
have what is called a scholarship
head," explains Hayden
Smith, an undergraduate member
of Kappa Alpha Theta at the Rob Boles (right) at the
College of Charleston in South 1997 Leadership College.
Carolina, "They designate tutors
in different majors who will help if someone is in academic
trouble. We also have rewards for getting As and not skipping
classes. Because of their motivation, Greeks have the highest
GPAs on our campus."
The commitment doesn't end there. The NPC-NIC Research
Initiative studies found that 1945-era graduates through 1994-
era graduates who were Greek gave more to their alma mater
than other graduates. Rupprecht says, "(Greeks) have a stronger
commitment to their University, a greater sense of belonging.
In a way, they're saying thank you." April Polutan, Panhellenic
President at Pennsylvania State University, thinks Greeks give
more money because "they know what their money is going
towards."
"Undergraduates with no affiliation may think their money
is going to a general fund that might get lost in the shuffle,"
Loundas agrees.
The Greek alumni from the 1945 and 1995-eras also tend to
give larger gifts than other alumni. In 1996, 22 percent of these
alumni gave $500 to $1000, as compared to 4.2 percent of their
fellow graduates. Eleven percent of the Greek graduates from
these eras also gave $1,000 to $5,000 versus 1.4 percent of non-
Greeks. "Greeks have a greater sense of belonging," Rupprecht
adds."They feel they are not just a number but part of a welcoming
community. They know where to turn when they need
help."
Both Boles and Smith offer a student perspective. "Friendships
form," says Smith, "students have a group to come back
to. People who are dropping out may feel they don't belong
anywhere."
"One of the greatest things about being in fraternities," says
Boles, "is knowing older people who are more experienced and
seeing their end results, seeing brothers and sisters graduate.
Having personal contact with someone can help you get
through some hard times."
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THE SCROLL SPRING 1998