While greek life is small, representing only 8 percent of the Ball State population, a report released by the Office of Student Life midsummer shows that the community continues to grow despite a slowing Spring Semester.
Involvement in greek life highlights five key values called PRIDE: personal growth, relationships, individuality, dedication and ethical behavior. With all of these values among the 560 fraternity members and 723 sorority members, members' grade point average surpassed this year's all Ball State student's average and they were able to raise almost $37,000 for various charities.
Panhellenic Vice President of Community Relations Melissa Pieczynski said the community focuses specifically on being its individual best, and with the support and encouragement of brothers and sisters, greek life provides that through academics as well as service.
Assistant Director of Student Life Brandon Cutler said although this is his first year working with the Ball State greek community, he has hopes and aspirations for the future of the community.
"My personal goals are tied in the community success, membership growth and leadership opportunities," Cutler said. "And, of course, the experience of the undergraduate students."
With a 93.6 percent new member retention rate, up from 84 percent a year earlier, Cutler said he hopes that the greek community is helping students enjoy their experience and that they return to the university in later years.
The greek organizations contributed more than 6,300 hours of service work throughout the Muncie community and surrounding areas. While the number is down from the fall service hours of more than 9,700 hours, the inclusion of summer community service hours in the fall number and new and learning community service chairs in the Spring Semester account for the significant difference, former Student Life greek adviser Cara Luyster said.
Making strides toward expanding the greek community, Pieczynski said the community supports one another to continue to unify the community and three separate councils.
"Greek Life wants to continue to grow and be a driving force on campus," she said.
Greeks are really promoting the community as a whole and going out to support other campus groups. The larger the greek community gets, the more opportunity we have for success. It would be great to see every greek organization on campus grow this year."
By The Numbers:
According to the annual greek report:
Total greek membership = 1283 (560 - fraternity, 723 - sorority)
Undergraduate enrollment = 14,693 (8,041 - female, 6,652 - male)
Undergraduates who are greek = 8.73 percent
Average size for Interfraternity Council = 48
Average size for National Panhellenic Council = 7
Average size for Panhellenic Council = 70
Community service hours: 6,329.75, or 4.9 hours per member
Dollars raised for charity: $36,932.31, or $28.79 per member
All-greek GPA average: 2.960
All-BSU GPA average: 2.949
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