A new chapter for the Greek life on Stetson’s campus is about to begin.

Each of Stetson’s 11 Greek organizations (six fraternities, five sororities) will find new members through the upcoming recruitment process. Recruitment weekend for sororities is this weekend, Sept. 14-16; rush for fraternities will take place Sept.19-23.

Students can sign up online for Greek recruitment. It is free for men, but there is a small fee for women.

Recruitment is a good way for students to get more involved on Stetson’s campus. Being Greek means being part of a sisterhood or brotherhood that strives to better the community, create bonds that last a lifetime, achieve academic excellence and offer leadership opportunities. Each chapter also donates money to charity, supporting causes such as the Domestic Violence Prevention and Awareness or St. Jude’s Children Hospital. Stetson’s Greek organizations use the slogan “Stetson Greeks – Changing Lives for Good” to emphasize the life-long impact of being Greek.

The process is an excellent way to at least meet new people and make connections with peers, said Nate Burke, assistant director for Fraternity & Sorority Involvement.

“We always encourage everyone to go through recruitment, because there is no commitment,” Burke said. “So, the worst case scenario is that they decide it’s not for them and they make new friends.”

New members pay dues each semester, which can cost as much as $400 for men and, at the most, $830 for women.  However, the dues decrease after the first semester because initial dues must cover new member materials.

On fraternity and sorority bid days, new members will be united with their new brothers or sisters for the first time. Sorority Bid day is at 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 16, in front of Elizabeth Hall, and Fraternity Bid day will be Sept. 23 in front of the Carlton Union Building. All members of the Stetson community are welcome to come see the events.

“It’s a really exciting night and everyone is so excited for it every year,” said Victoria Riesbeck, Panhellenic vice president of Recruitment. “It’s a very welcoming experience for everyone.”

For more information, contact Nate Burke at [email protected].

By James Albright ’13, intern, Stetson University Marketing