When you’re going to college in a small town, it may seem like there isn’t much to do. This may be why many students decide to join the Greek community at Western Kentucky University.

“A lot of people who aren’t greek don’t understand it. They just believe in the stereotypes and that we’re paying money for friends. I wish people would just give it a chance. They might be surprised with what they find,” Victoria Greenwell, a member of Phi Mu sorority, said.

Many people don’t know what comes with being greek. Stereotypes are that being greek automatical-ly means that they are partying, alcoholics. Period.

At WKU, all of the greek organizations require their members to maintain a certain grade point aver-age, a certain amount of service hours, and to be involved in other campus organizations.

Each organization has a foundation or charity they sponsor through philanthropic events on campus or in the community. There are also campus-wide phi-lanthropies such as St. Jude’s Up ‘Til Dawn and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Being able to volunteer and save lives is a number one priority that the greek community shares.

Scholarships, academics and grades are also very important to greek organizations.

WKU requires a 2.5 high school GPA and a 2.25 col-lege GPA to participate in formal recruitment. Each fraternity and sorority chapter also have a minimum grade requirement for joining and initiation. There are programs offered through each chapter offering tutors and extra resources to excel in academics. This also includes the numerous scholarship oppor-tunities offered through each chapter.

Among the many opportunites that come with being greek, many will agree that one of the best parts going greek is all the life-long friends you will make and all of the fun experience you get to share with those people.

“There’s always something to do when you’re in a sorority or fraternity. Joining a sorority is one of the best decisions I’ve made,” Greenwell said.

For more information on Greek Life at Western Ken-tucky University visit: www.wkugreeks.com

Are studentsreallyPAYING

for friends?Different aspects of Greek Life uncovered at

Western Kentucky UniveristyBy Sara Sotelo

Members of Phi Mu stand in front of the Phi Mu House on Alumni Day. Left to right, Sara Sotelo, Julie Steinrock, Victo-ria Greenwell.