Greek Life
Establish Bonds for Life
Since the first American Greek-letter society was formed in 1776 at the College of William and Mary, sororities and fraternities have played a dynamic and exciting part of campus life – and Piedmont University is no different. Students who choose to become part of a social Greek-letter organization will be exposed to a well-rounded, co-curricular experience.
Being a member of a national fraternity or sorority offers many exciting opportunities.
Fraternity and Sorority life is more than just wearing Greek letters; it is about being a positive influence on your campus and in your community. Piedmont’s Greek community invites you to be a part of something bigger than yourself. We invite you to be a part of an active community of students who share the same core values.
Piedmont’s Commitment to Greek Life
Mission
Piedmont University Greek Life was established to offer a fraternity and sorority experience that connects the values of these national organizations to those of Piedmont University. The mission of Piedmont University Greek Life is to educate and empower members through diverse learning experiences to achieve academic excellence, engage with the local and global communities, and cultivate leadership while fostering lifelong relationships.
Values
Piedmont Greek Life members pursue:
- Leadership
- Personal Development
- Scholarship
- Service
Greek Life Opportunities at Piedmont
Sigma Gamma Rho
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority was founded on November 12, 1922, at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana. Seven young schoolteachers created an organization founded on three principles: Scholarship, Service, and Sisterhood! Sigma Gamma Rho encourages activities that will further in every way possible the advantages of members socially, morally, and intellectually. Promoting unity among women is the legacy that bonds more than 72,000 members in over 400 chapters in the U.S., Bermuda, the Virgin Islands, Bahamas, Germany, England, and Africa.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority’s aim is to enhance the quality of life within the community. Public service, leadership development, and education of youth are the hallmarks of the organization’s programs and activities. Sigma Gamma Rho addresses concerns that impact society educationally, civically, and economically. Sigma Gamma Rho remains a strong sisterhood of educated women, whose members strive for “Greater Service, Greater Progress.”
Sigma Gamma Rho’s commitment to service is expressed in this motto and materialized in its dedication to service programs. National programs include Operation Big Book Bag, Wee Savers, Mwanamugimu Essay Contest, Project Reassurance, Judy B. Davis Bone Marrow Recruitment Program, Project Africa, and Breast Cancer Awareness. In addition, the sorority sponsors a youth auxiliary for teenage girls known as the Rhoers. Through active participation in programs and networking with other organizations such as the NAACP, the National Urban League, and the National Council of Negro Women, Sigma’s legacy of service to improve the quality of life for all mankind continues.
Zeta Tau Alpha
Lambda Rho Chapter
In 1898, at Longwood College, Zeta Tau Alpha was born. It was the love, loyalty, and friendship between nine women that started a special sisterhood. That bond has now served thousands of young women as they begin their journey through college. In fact, Zeta Tau Alpha has over 300,000 initiated members. Not only are there opportunities during college, but also opportunities through alumni chapters as well. The ZTA Foundation and Fraternity supports the growth of all members through service opportunities, philanthropy (breast cancer education and awareness), and educational programming. In Zeta Tau Alpha, all sisters are encouraged to pursue their goals and have support from their sisters in order to achieve their goals. Zeta Tau Alpha strives to enrich the lives of others and better serve the community.
Piedmont University’s Zeta Tau Alpha representative is the Lambda Rho chapter. This chapter focuses on, “Remembering always that the foundation precept of Zeta Tau Alpha was ‘love,’ the greatest of all things.”
Joining the sisterhood of Zeta Tau Alpha offers lasting friendships, wisdom, leadership opportunities, and more to all of its members. Being a part of Zeta Tau Alpha is special and goes way beyond your college years! Zeta Tau Alpha has many different parts where the bonds of friendship are created. There are collegiate and alumnae chapters where women can gain leadership skills through ZTA and in their community! The ZTA Foundation and Fraternity contribute to the growth of all members through educational programming, service opportunities, and through philanthropy, breast cancer education, and awareness. In Zeta Tau Alpha, all of our sisters are encouraged to pursue their goals, and have support from their sisters in order to achieve their goals!
Contact Piedmont’s Orientation & Greek Life Coordinator, Cat Wiles at 706-778-8500 x2837.
Recruitment Information:
Recruitment will be informal. Check back later for dates for recruitment events for Zeta Tau Alpha and Sigma Gamma Rho.
FAQ's
Here is a list of commonly asked questions regarding Greek Life at Piedmont:
For any other questions or information, contact greeklife@piedmont.edu
A fraternity or sorority is a group of men or women formed by a brotherhood or sisterhood and common goals and aspirations who make a commitment to each other for life. The members that form a fraternity or sorority share their efforts, friendship, and knowledge. Together these members learn, grow, and make the fraternity or sorority, commonly called a Greek organization, stronger. Their common experience builds ties that last a lifetime.
Fraternities and sororities have been part of college campuses since the late 18th-century. These organizations are referred to as “Greek” because their names consist of Greek letters that serve as a reminder of the group’s values. Learn the Greek Alphabet.
Though there are many different fraternities and sororities, they all share common founding principles that may be of interest to any Piedmont student. Greek organizations enhance your educational experience by emphasizing intellectual, interpersonal, and social development. The ideals of lifelong friendship, sound education, campus and community service, and social interaction are what Greek members strive to live by every day.
Greek organizations are a great way to get involved and build relationships and allows for students to make an easier transition into college life. For many students, Greek life becomes a home away from home. Lifelong friendships and memories are established. Greek Life supports the college mission and upholds important values.
Greek organizations have large membership networks — this helps in job seeking following graduation. Fellow members can give insight, career advice, etc. A member of a Greek organization will be welcomed by that group on any campus and can typically join an alumni group for their organization in any city that they move to. It's not just while at college, it's for life! Relationships with alumni are one of the unique aspects of Greek membership. Opportunities for mentoring, career networking, fundraising and collaborating with alumni are some of the most meaningful experiences that last for years after college.
That depends! It's true that Greek life offers an enjoyable experience while at college, but the representation in movies and on TV is often exaggerated. Greek life provides academic and social life balance, as well as networking opportunities. Members understand when the time is right to work diligently and enjoy their time together.
Greek life has an academics-first emphasis, and members can help each other in the academic arena. Some chapters have study sessions, offer incentives based on GPA, doing well on exams, etc. There's likely to be someone to help in any given academic subject within an organization, where many members have had the same course or even professor. Fraternities and sororities understand that its members are students first.
Eligibility for new member processes different for each organization. All organizations evaluate candidates based on academics, character, involvement, and leadership potential.
Recruitment is the time when fraternities and sororities seek and recruit new members. Each council or individual organization may conduct recruitment. During this period, interested students can visit organizations and see what each has to offer. Look for signs around campus and updates to the Recruitment section of this website with dates and times concerning recruitment registration and information sessions.
The membership intake process is the process for which prospective members are educated about a chapter’s history, organization, and community service. It is the initial procedure for some historically African American, American Indian, Latino(a), multicultural and other culturally-based fraternities and sororities.
A bid is an invitation from a fraternity or sorority to become a member of its organization.
Like most things in life, one will get out whatever they put into their Greek organization. The first year in a Greek chapter will take a little more time to learn about its history, organization and membership. Participating in activities to get to know the other members is a good way to enjoy the benefits of Greek life as well as meet new people. After the first year, students have usually figured out how much time they can put into the group without sacrificing their other commitments. During the remaining years on campus, a student can choose to participate more in their organization. This often means taking on leadership roles in their chapter.
Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial commitment. Each chapter is self-supporting with revenue coming from members who pay dues. When students join a Greek-letter organization, they agree to pay dues and fees while enrolled at Piedmont University to maintain membership. While membership is affordable, some chapters can make accommodations for special circumstances, but students should discuss the financial obligations with you before they join.
Hazing has no place in any organization. Piedmont University will not tolerate hazing in any student organization. In addition, hazing is against the law in the State of Georgia. All fraternity and sorority members know that hazing is against their national policies, university policy, and the law. All reports will be taken seriously. You may choose to remain anonymous or identify yourself and ask for confidentiality. We greatly appreciate your care, concerns and insight. If you feel you or someone you know is participating in inappropriate activities, you should contact the Coordinator of Orientation and Greek life at 706-778-8500 x2834 or email at greeklife@piedmont.edu
The College’s organizations will receive training from the Student Affairs staff, as well as their national organizations, concerning alcohol and risk management. All our organizations have strict policies regarding alcohol. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through or with organization funds or on the organization's behalf.
Yes, athletes are encouraged to join fraternities or sororities to become more involved on campus. There are no restrictions from athletes joining Greek-letter organizations if they are able to attend and participate in required events.
Members of fraternities and sororities on campus have several opportunities to get involved in leadership both in and out of their chapter.
At some point, most of our chapter members also had to have “the talk” with their families. If your parents have specific questions or concerns, we can help you answer them. There are numerous undergraduate leaders, alumni, fraternity/sorority inter/national headquarters staff, College administrators and even other parents who are more than willing to share their personal insights and experiences.