Rush is the process where men become interested in joining a fraternity.  It is a time for all college men to consider becoming a Greek.  Becoming Greek is a very big decision that will affect someone for the rest of their lives.  The University of West Alabama holds an informal Fraternity rush which consists of what is known as a "Rush Week".  During this week, every fraternity has a one night rush party on the different nights of the week.  A man may go all of these parties to see what each individual organization is like and what they have to offer.  It is during these parties that men talk to the brothers of the different fraternity's to see which fraternity is right for them, if any.  At the end of rush week comes bid day.  Bid day is the time when fraternities select the men that they want to invite to join their organization.  A man may receive multiple bids from different fraternities, yet he can accept only one.

    It takes a strong minded and determined man to go Greek.  There are also many advantages to being a Greek over being an independent.  One thing about rush remains true; Becoming a Sigma Pi will develop your character, increase your responsibility, and improve your scholarship.  Sigma Pi will make you a better man and enhance your college experience through leadership skills and social encouragement.

• Your  will have the support system of friends to help make the adjustment to college.
• Your will have excellent scholastic resources available.
• Your will learn valuable leadership skills and have the chance to practice them as a chapter officer or committee member.
• Your will be encouraged to get involved in campus organizations and student activities.
• Your will participate in a wide variety of chapter activities including intramurals, game day events, and Homecoming.
• Your will help others through community service and philanthropic events.
• Your will be exposed to career opportunities through interaction with fraternity alumni from across West Alabama and the United States.
• Your will be joining a Greek community rich in tradition and excellence.
• Simply put you will be joining one of the best Greek fraternities on the campus and by far the best in the United States.

ADVANTAGE #1 - ACADEMICS

The Academic portion of your university career is one significant determinant in your future success. The primary purposes of the fraternity system is to encourage and develop high scholastic achievement among its members. Just over 50% of students in university end up graduating. However, if you belong to a fraternity, your chances of graduating increase to over 70%! Fraternity members help each other to succeed!

ADVANTAGE #2 - COMMUNITY SERVICE

Usually, the only way a person gets involved in a philanthropic event, is to do it with a group of people. On your resume, you need volunteer experience. The fraternity is an excellent way for you to donate your time for a good cause.

ADVANTAGE #3 - ATHLETICS

Each fraternity participates in the numerous competitive sports in the Campus Intramural Leagues and in interfraternal sports like the Greek Games. It’s difficult to get a group of people on your own to play team intramural sports, Ultimate Frisbee, or to get a softball game together on a Sunday afternoon. Fraternities offer all of this along with the pride of sportsmanship, team spirit, and competition!

ADVANTAGE #4 - LEADERSHIP

In the fraternity, you will be "in charge" of an event or a duty. Everyone in the fraternity is a leader, whether you’re an officer, an executive, on a committee, or just a participant. You will learn by doing. You’ll learn how to manage a budget, run effective meetings, speak in public, motivate others … skills that will help you in university and throughout your life. These days it takes more than just a degree to get a good job - it takes leadership experience.

• 85% of the Fortune 500 Executives,
• 80% of U.S. Presidents since 1900, &
• 100% of Apollo 11 Astronauts…

all joined a fraternity!!!

ADVANTAGE #5 - BROTHERHOOD

Brotherhood is the foundation of the fraternity experience. Every man contributes to this aspect. Brotherhood combines the concept of individualism within the framework of mutual cooperation. As a fraternity brother you will form friendships unlike any found in other organizations. Brotherhood is not conformity. No fraternity is made up of members who are exactly alike. By choosing to become a member of a fraternity, you will meet brothers who grow to become your closest friends, those who will cheer you on when you’re successful and who will support you when the going gets tough.

ADVANTAGE #6 - NETWORKING

So, let’s say you’ve graduated or are just looking for a summer job. Now what? In today’s economy and job market, it’s going to take more than looking at wan-ads and job postings. You need to network with people. The fraternity is one of the best ways to do just that. Using the resources of fraternity members like alumni, you may find that job you’re looking for - that head start in life, all because you joined a fraternity. What an investment!

ADVANTAGE #7 - TRAVELING

Now assume you’re planning a trip to another city in North America. You need a place to stay, but you don’t want to spend too much dough. Fraternity membership allows you to travel to other fellow chapter houses to meet brothers and have a place to stay for free! Sometimes, one chapter will get a bunch of guys together and plan a road trip and stay at several chapters along the way. And when you arrive, although you may have never met these brothers before, you have a fraternal bond, and you’re more than just a guest in their home, you’re instant friends. All this mushy brotherhood stuff may be hard to believe at first, but it’s genuine.

Each year, fraternities set aside time for membership recruitment activities also know as Rush. During the membership recruitment period, interested men have an opportunity to visit the fraternity of their choice and to explore what Greek life has to offer. Rush is a period of careful examination and choosing; it is a time for students and parents to ask questions, define financial obligations, time commitments, and membership requirements. Fraternity rush is year round although a formal rush program is sponsored by the IFC at the beginning of each semester.

Life in the UWA Greek community begins when you formally accepts a bid, or invitation, and becomes a new member of a chapter. During this program, you will learn fraternity and chapter history, founders, symbols and standards and information about the chapter philanthropy. Many of the friendships you develops during his fraternity days will last a lifetime. Greeks at the University of West Alabama are committed to new member education programs in which hazing is not practiced. The University of West Alabama and the Interfraternity council have strict non-hazing policies which are enforced. Hazing is not tolerated in the UWA Greek community.

• The first general fraternity (Kappa Alpha Society) was organized in 1850.

• Of North Americas 50 largest corporations, 43 are headed by Fraternity men and Sorority women.

•  7 out of 10 people listed in Who's Who are Greek.

•  85% of Fortune 500 executives belong to a Fraternity or Sorority.

•  40 of 47 Supreme Court Justices since 1910 were Fraternity men.

•  76% of all Congressmen and Senators belong to a Fraternity or Sorority.

•  Every US President and Vice-President, except two in each office, born since the first social Fraternity was founded in 1825, and 3 Canadian Prime Ministers, have been members of a Fraternity. Statistics show that Fraternity and Sorority members have a higher rate of graduation from college than do their non-member counterparts.

people ask about fraternities…

#10. Aren’t fraternities just like ones in the movies and on TV?

Every fraternity is different and unique, but on our campus, we have yet to come across any Tri-Lambs, 90210 KEG houses, or John Belushi Animal House types.

#9. Do you have to live in the house?

No, but you can if you want to. Fraternities offer affordable rooms and parking close to campus. It’s also a great place to crash.

#8. Fraternity men are all a bunch of elitists, racists, and cliquish, aren’t they?

No. If we were, then why are we here trying to get you and everyone else to join? Fraternity men come from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. ANYONE CAN JOIN A FRATERNITY!

#7. I heard that by joining a fraternity, my marks would improve. Is that true?

Getting good grades is hard work. By using the numerous academic incentives only offered by fraternities, such as GPA requirements, study groups, exam and paper libraries, and scholarships, you will find university life a whole lot easier.

#6. Don’t fraternities take up a lot of time?

Fraternity membership requires anywhere from 2 to 8 hours a week. Whether it be planning a party, a community service project, or regular weekly meetings, fraternity members have learned to manage their time wisely with other commitments like homework, girlfriends, and a job. This is also why so many fraternity members have succeeded in their lives.

#5. Aren’t fraternities expensive?

Annual membership dues vary from $100 to $500. This cost is used to pay for upkeep of the house, intramural sports, community service, scholarships, and the dozens of free social events offered. As one member put it - "Joining a fraternity is the best deal on campus!"

#4. If I’m new to campus, shouldn’t I wait to get my "feet on the ground" before I join?

University is a big place. The sooner you know more people, the more comfortable you will feel on campus. By joining in your first year, you will find adjusting to university life a lot easier. Every fraternity member who didn’t join in their first year on campus, wished they had.

#3. So, what do you do in a fraternity?

Everything that university courses do not offer - development of social skills, leadership opportunities, a needed break from studying, and FUN! Each fraternity has numerous social events, charity projects, workshops, and more - all designed to help you and your resume, so you can succeed.

#2. Why do fraternity members call each other "brothers"?

It is the sense of family and lifelong friendships a fraternity provides. Fraternity membership is for life - from the class of ’45 to ’95 you have a fraternal bond with everyone - the bond of friendship.

…and the #1 question asked about fraternities … Advantage #5.