Greek Life | The low-down on Penn Greek life

Whether you come from four generations of Sigma Alpha Epsilon brothers or are exploring the Greek system for the very first time, you can be sure that this year’s batch of hopeful pledges has plenty to look forward to.

You will likely be introduced to Greek life at Penn with New Student Orientation parties, but fraternity and sorority rush does not begin until January. In the meantime, here are some facts about Greek life at Penn to get you started:

- Around 28 percent of Penn’s undergraduates are members of the Greek system.

- There are 31 fraternities at Penn, which compose the Interfraternity Council. The sorority counterpart, the Panhellenic Council, is made up of eight chapters. The third council is the Multicultural Greek Council, which governs the historically black, Latino and Asian fraternities and sororities. MGC has 14 chapters.

- Rush begins in January for both fraternities and sororities. Men can rush any fraternity or fraternities they wish and are introduced to the various options with free food and other handouts in a process known as open rush. As the process continues, invitations — which become increasingly exclusive with each event — become necessary before pledging a certain fraternity.

Sorority rush is an entirely different process. Women must visit all eight sororities and meet current members of each one. Invitations are issued to specific girls each round.

MGC chapters have their own rush traditions which vary from chapter to chapter.

- Women must register and pay a fee in December to rush Panhellenic sororities. Men do not have to register or pay a fee, and the first rush events are normally open to everyone.

- Greek organizations perform a variety of community service work on campus and in the greater Philadelphia area. Throughout the year, you may see Greek members on Locust Walk advertising events to benefit charities or around Philadelphia improving the city.

- Penn regulates Greek life through the Office of Student Affairs/Fraternity Sorority Life.

- If you decide that pledging a fraternity or sorority is not for you, you can still attend many Greek events. Though Greek life provides excellent opportunities for those interested, it is not the sole source of social activity on campus. Whatever your religious, political, academic or artistic interests, there is probably a student organization that will fit your needs — and if there isn’t, you can always start your own.

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