GREEK LIFE HISTORY

The Greek system has a heritage of over 200 years of endurance and growth. The first American College Fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, was formed in 1776 at the College of William and Mary. This Greek-letter society provided opportunities to discuss political, academic, and social interests of the young men. A great deal of importance was placed on fellowship of the members, the rights of assembly and free speech and independent decision making. Phi Beta Kappa maintained The Code of Silence which included: secret oaths, badges, laws, seals, grips/handshakes, an initiation ceremony, and mottos in Greek and Latin. This secrecy has become the essential characteristic of modern-day Greek chapters.

It wasn’t until almost 100 years later that a women’s fraternity would be founded. In 1870 on the campus of Asbury College in Greencastle, Indiana four women established Kappa Alpha Theta fraternity.

The oldest National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) predominantly black fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, was founded at Cornell, 1906. The first NPHC sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, was established at Howard University, 1908.

Coed Fraternities now exist across the country and are growing in numbers. Some are professional in nature, others are primarily service or social.

Today, all Greek organizations serve primarily as social or service clubs. Ritual secrecy is maintained by tradition, rather than for preservation of political or academic rights.

GREEKS AT WPUNJ
Although fraternities and sororoties have been active at William Paterson University since the 1950's they were first recognized by the administration and the Student Government Association (SGA) in the late '70's. At that time, the SGA chartered the Inter-Fraternity Sorority Council to govern the Greek system. Today's system is similar, but due to growth has become the Greek Senate.

Greeks at WPUNJ are a driving force behind student life on campus. Greeks may be found raising donations for charity, organizing special events for campus entertainment, attending leadership programs, collecting food or clothing to help the less fortunate, or participing in various clubs or organizations.

Being involved in Greek Life offers endless opportunities to gain leadership experience, social and managerial skills,and friendships that will last a lifetime.

GREEK SENATE

Membership Eligibility:  All students must meet the following minimum requirements in order to seek membership in a fraternity or sorority and have the information verified by CASL before beginning any new member education program.

• A minimum of 12 credits earned and successfully completed at the collegiate level.
• A minimum 2.3 cumulative GPA.  In the event that the individual fraternity or sorority has a higher minimum GPA requirement, then that minimum will be the required standard. 
• The student must be taking at least 9 credits, be fully admitted to the University, and be in good academic standing.
• Attendance and complete participation in an “Anti-Hazing” program.
• Completed new member registration forms.

Why go Greek?

Being a member of a fraternity or sorority is about more than just wearing letters. It is about making friendships that will last long beyond your college years. It allows you to experience brotherhood and sisterhood. Members of the Greek community have a strong commitment to leadership, service, and scholarship. You can find Greeks on the William Paterson campus serving as orientation leaders, SGA club officers, building houses with Habitat for Humanity, and graduating with honors. When you join a fraternity or sorority its not four years, it’s for life.

Order of Omega

The Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in the fall of 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men, who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their service to the fraternity system and the University.

All initiated fraternity and sorority members who have a cumulative GPA that is above the All-Greek GPA of 2.810 are eligible to apply for membership into Order of Omega. Members are selected based on their academic achievements, chapter and Greek community involvement, and service to the community.