Dear Prospective Fraternity or Sorority Member,

Welcome to the UW-Madison community! You are about to embark on one of the most challenging and exciting parts of your life journey. As you become acquainted with the University and its opportunities for involvement, I’d like to encourage you to consider joining the 2500 students currently affiliated with social fraternities and sororities.

The guiding values that are the foundation of fraternal life—academics, leadership, service to community, and social development—are closely aligned with the educational mission of the University of Wisconsin . A quality education consists of far more than academics alone; learning is not confined to the classroom. In embracing the ideals of scholarship, leadership, and citizenship, Greek life supports this notion of education unconstrained by boundaries and encourages the integration of in- and out-of-class learning. The Greek experience affords many students unique opportunities to develop, hone, and demonstrate these skills that will serve them for a lifetime, both personally and professionally. Membership in a fraternity and sorority also provides opportunities to bond with a close-knit group of friends who will be there through the good times and the bad.

I realize that some of the publicity about Greek life is not always positive. I want to be the first to let you know that our Greek community here at UW-Madison is not perfect. However, it is our hope that, as our fraternity and sorority chapters recruit and initiate an increasingly diverse array of quality individuals, each firmly committed to excellence, our system can only improve.

Best wishes for a successful experience here at UW-Madison!
Warmly,
Lori M. Berquam
Dean of Students