Are you a second semester senior? Are you starting to wonder how you will maintain your relationships from your time in Greek life after you’ve received your diploma? As many of us fear, a lot of us will lose touch with one another as we move to different corners of the country. There will be some brothers/sisters who will be easy for you to keep in touch with. For those friendships you fear will go stale after graduation, consider these 5 ways to keep in touch.
#1: Facebook
There’s many Facebook groups and pages dedicated to the different fraternities or sororities. Chi Omega Fraternity has over 60,000 on their Facebook page. They post regularly with updates and information about chapters and things going on.
If your fraternity or sorority doesn’t stay connected on Facebook, seriously check it out before you lose contact with your Greek brothers and sisters.
#2: Sorority & Fraternity Websites There are countless websites dedicated to each Greek chapter. A simple Google search will let you know if your fraternity or sorority has one. Greek websites like Phi Sigma Kappa keep all updates in one place. Websites allow for complete individuality and allow alumni to participate in a completely different way than social media sites allow.
While some websites are for the entire fraternity or sorority, there’s some websites that are specific to a chapter, like Beta Thera Pi at the University of Tennessee. Their website is designed for those who went to the school and were in that chapter. The website even features an “alumni” tab that directs to information to stay in touch with members.
If your fraternity or sorority doesn’t have a website, consider investing in the time to make one. It’s easy and keeps members connected in one place.
#3: Alumni programs Alumni support doesn’t only help the current members of a fraternity or sorority, but it helps the alumni too. Find out if there’s programs that allow you to give back your knowledge and expertise. If nothing exists in the chapter you were in, create one!
Greek life is incredibly influential and it shouldn’t just stop because you graduate. The University of Minnesota allows alumni to be a part an alumni council and shares other programs that allow alumni to stay connected. Their website depicts all the opportunities available.
Don’t give up the Greek! Find or create a program for your fraternity or sorority.
#4: Go back While it may be obvious, do it. Go back to your school and see how you can help. Many schools have Greek mentors and staff members to keep things running smoothly. Find out if there’s a position for you to help. If a job like that doesn’t exist, create one. These are important roles that can be a full-time job (and paid!).
The University of Michigan has five positions listed on their website of staff members dedicated to Greek life on their campus. These people are crucial in maintaining Greek life and use their knowledge of being in a fraternity or sorority to help those currently active.
Getting paid to be a Greek life advisor not only helps you stay involved and connected, but it also helps pave the way for future alumni.
#5: Plan events A big part of Greek life is creating and participating in events. Don’t give that up. Create events for your fellow alumni to get together after you graduate. You’ve already created memories with these people, but that doesn’t mean they have to stop just because you graduate.
Getting together or having an event one night a month or every couple of months will keep fellow fraternity and sorority members close. Keeping these relationships will not only maintain friendships, but it’ll also keep you networked with people working in different businesses and fields.
