2015-2016 life at Baker University
While academic achievement is the primary reason to attend Baker University, activities outside of the classroom are also an important component of becoming a well-rounded graduate. Baker s Greek organizations enhance your collegiate experience by emphasizing intellectual, interpersonal and social development. Lifelong friendships, high academic standards, campus and community service and social interaction are what Greek members strive for every day. This affiliation provides a unique combination it s a family, it s a social organization, it s a business, it s a home away from home and it s an opportunity to develop confidence as you acquire leadership skills. I have no doubt that Greek life has shaped me into the involved, well-rounded man I am today. I have never had such close friends and I know they will remain my closest friends for the rest of my life. Going Greek was the best decision I ve ever made and I will be forever grateful. Chad 1
Achieving Academic Excellence A primary purpose of Greek organizations is to encourage and develop high scholastic achievement among its members. Each fraternity and sorority has set a minimum GPA that every member must meet. Each chapter provides resources to help members achieve academic success: help from other members, study tables, study skills workshops, test-taking strategies, and time management and class-scheduling assistance. Finding Time The amount of time required to be involved in a Greek organization varies by chapter. Chapter involvement teaches students to manage their time and balance academics, work and other commitments. Chapters make sure athletes are excused from chapter activities that conflict with practices, games and meets. Making the World a Better Place Charities and service organizations, both local and national, have long depended on the dedication and time generously given by fraternities and sororities. Through the support of local and national philanthropies, fraternities and sororities promote ideals that enhance a member s college experience. 2
Learning to Lead Members of the Greek community are active in and hold leadership positions in every facet of college life. Sorority and fraternity members lead student activities, academic honor societies and special-interest groups. Every member is a leader within his or her Greek chapter, whether serving as an officer, on a committee or as a participant. The valuable leadership skills gained assist members well after their college years. Having Fun The Greek community is an integral part of the Baker University social scene. In addition to campus-wide events, Greeks sponsor members-only activities, such as aftergame parties, date parties, formals, Greek Week and mixers with other student organizations. One of the benefits of Greek affiliation is the opportunity to meet and interact with members of other student organizations. 3
Sigma Phi Epsilon Founded: Richmond College, 1901 Colony at Baker: Kansas Alpha Chapter, 1910 Kansas Alpha Founded: Kansas Alpha chapter, April 2, 1910 Colors: Purple and Red Philanthropy: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County Values: Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly love Address: 412 Sixth St. Sigma Phi Epsilon SigEp has a strong tradition of academic excellence. Kansas Alpha Residential Learning Center offers weekly study hours, a large library study area and an academic lecture series to help members succeed in the classroom. Outside of the classroom, the men of SigEp are dedicated to the ideal of a sound body, and several are varsity athletes in baseball, golf, football, wrestling, cross country, tennis and track. SigEp has produced numerous championship intramural teams in Baker s football, volleyball, basketball and softball leagues. Apart from helping its own members to grow and succeed, SigEp is dedicated to helping the community at large. Every year, Kansas Alpha sponsors the Spiking Out volleyball tournament to raise money to help the local chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters, as many members serve as Big Brothers for kids in the local community. SigEp also organizes and participates in other community service events throughout the year. In the past, members have helped clean local highways, rang the Christmas bell for the local Salvation Army, sponsored a team in the Relay for Life event and walked in a local Youth AIDS event. Kappa Sigma Founded: University of Virginia, 1869 Colony at Baker: Beta Tau chapter, 1903 Colors: Scarlet, emerald and white Philanthropy: A Greater Cause to Military Heroes Values: Fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service Address: 1215 Eighth St. Kappa Sigma Kappa Sigma s years of success and tradition are made possible through the four cornerstones of our fraternity: scholarship, leadership, service and brotherhood. These provide our members with the tools to help them succeed. We believe experience is what you make of it. We encourage our members to participate in varsity sports, intramurals, a comprehensive community service program, campus organizations and many social functions. Kappa Sigma also stresses a serious approach to academics. 4
Delta Tau Delta Founded: Bethany College, 1858 Colony at Baker: Gamma Theta chapter, 1903 Colors: Purple, White and Gold Philanthropy: Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Values: Truth, courage, faith and power Address: 604 Fifth St. Delta Tau Delta Since its founding on Baker s campus in 1903, Delta Tau Delta has been the foundation for creating a life of excellence for many young men. It is our hope that you will seriously consider Baker s Greek community but more important, Delta Tau Delta. A decision to join a fraternity will provide you with an experience that will go beyond your time here. Joining Delta Tau Delta will help you to become a part of something bigger than yourself and develop yourself personally as well as get the most fulfillment out of your college experience. We have men involved in nearly every varsity sport on campus and several non-athletes that are among the top leaders on Baker s campus. This past year the Baker Delts have won multiple national and campus awards such as outstanding risk management, recruitment, and programming. The Baker Delts also won a Court of Honor award that is given to the top 20 Delta Tau Delta chapters out of the 134 chapters in the nation. The Gamma Theta alumni base is very strong, as exemplified by the 2011 fundraising initiative that raised over $500,000 for home renovation projects. Zeta Chi Founded: Baker University, 1905 Colors: Crimson and gold Philanthropy: Special Olympics Address: 903 Eighth St. Zeta Chi The oldest independent fraternity west of the Mississippi, Zeta Chi fraternity was founded on May 23, 1905 by men looking for a different experience than what was offered by the fraternities at that time. These men came together and created a self-governing organization that has flourished for more than 100 years. Zeta Chi places great value on scholastic achievement, brotherhood and service. Zeta Chi hosts an annual philanthropy event, Polyeuphony, which is a benefit concert featuring Baker student performers and Special Olympics Global Messengers. This event raises money and awareness for the Special Olympics. Our fraternity provides many opportunities to spend time with people who will become lifelong friends. More than just a place to live, study and socialize, our chapter serves as a home away from home. Zeta Chi members are involved in a wide variety of activities and organizations at Baker University, including intramural sports, varsity athletics, Student Senate, admissions, orchestra, band, choir, theater and the award-winning campus newspaper. We believe that staying involved at Baker is crucial to the success of our members and an integral part of the fraternity experience. 5
Zeta Tau Alpha Founded: Longwood University, 1898 Installed at Baker: Sigma chapter, 1912 Colors: Blue and steel gray Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Education and Awareness Zeta Tau Alpha Members of Zeta Tau Alpha retain their individuality while participating in the sorority to create a strong bond of love and sisterhood. As a whole, we are firmly committed to advancement through service and philanthropic activities, including cleaning up local highways, participating in the Relay for Life, and working at Worlds of Fun amusement park to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. In addition to being active on campus and in the community, Zetas enjoy taking part in social activities. The Barn Party, Informal, and Court of Themis Ball are just a few of the yearly events planned by Zeta Tau Alpha. Graduation does not bring an end to participation. Alumnae of Sigma chapter remain active by advising collegiate members and improving the house. During the brief time that Zetas spend at Baker, a special love is formed that binds them together, making Zeta Tau Alpha truly a lifelong experience. Delta Delta Delta Founded: Boston University, 1888 Installed at Baker: Lambda chapter, 1895 Colors: Silver, gold and blue Philanthropy: Children s Cancer Charities Delta Delta Delta The Lambda chapter of Delta Delta Delta is more than just a sorority it is a home away from home. Sisterhood is an important part of Tri Delta. Tri Delta can be your second family and a strong support system to guide you through your college years. Tri Delta maintains a strong foundation for its members so they get the most out of their college experience. It provides opportunities for leadership, involvement, academic success, personal growth and lifelong friendships. Members are involved in various campus activities, including athletics, music, student government and more. Stressing individuality, Delta Delta Delta thrives on its diversity and believes each member s distinct qualities are important contributions to the sorority. Delta Delta Delta members are committed to their philanthropy, St. Jude Children s Research Hospital. Nationally, Tri Delta made a Fifteen in Five commitment in 2010 to raise $15 million in five tears. In just 3.5 years, Tri Delta met their $15 million fund raising goal. Local contributions to St. Jude include Delta House of Pancakes pancake feed and a chili feed. 6
Alpha Chi Omega Founded: DePauw University, 1885 Installed at Baker: Omicron chapter, 1908 Colors: Scarlet and olive green Philanthropy: Victims of Domestic Violence Alpha Chi Omega The Omicron chapter of Alpha Chi Omega provides members with social and scholastic leadership and educational opportunities. Members are leaders in a variety of activities on campus, including the University Admissions Assistants program, Baker Ambassadors, parmentors, Student Senate, Salon leaders, athletics, student government and much more. Alpha Chis enjoy a support system and a bond found nowhere else. Alpha Chis know when to be serious, but they also know when to have fun. They hold several social activities throughout the year, ranging from date parties to themed mixers. The best times, however, are spent just hanging out at the house with the Alpha Chi sisters. Alpha Chis are committed to service. Their national philanthropy organization is Victims of Domestic Violence. Through fundraisers, they promote awareness and raise money for survivors of domestic violence. The largest philanthropic event is G.I. Alpha Chi, a military-based mental and physical obstacle course. Zeta Phi Beta Founded: Howard University, 1920 Installed at Baker: Pi Sigma chapter, 2006 Colors: Royal blue and pure white Philanthropies: March of Dimes and Stork s Nest Zeta Phi Beta, Inc. The Pi Sigma chapter is the first historically black Greek organization to be established on Baker University s campus. Since coming to campus on December 3, 2006, chapter members have striven to bring unity and diversity to Baker. Zeta Phi Beta s members provide examples of our dedication to our service endeavors, of our vow to scholarship and of our active practice and cultivation of sisterly love, all while exemplifying the essence of finer womanhood. Zeta Phi Betas believe that college is a time for members to become the best young women they can be. We help young women further their college experience through our weekly homework sessions. We hold a Finer Womanhood Week during March that gives all of the young women a chance to bond with their sorority sisters outside of the college atmosphere. We attend our regional conference to allow members to network and meet other influential Zeta Phi Beta members. We organize group outings to support the other chapters in the surrounding area. We also organize fundraisers such as Z-Gramz and a formal dance to help raise money for the March of Dimes, one of our many philanthropic efforts. 7
Go to www.bakeru.edu/greeklife for more information or visit our social media sites. Baker University Sorority & Fraternity Life @BakerGreekLife