From FTU to UCF: Fraternities & Sororities' and their Philanthropic Involvement
Fraternities and Sororities at UCF pride themselves in persistently following the framework that makes up their Greek Life. Service to the community is one of the key elements of Greek life, which consist of leadership, social, scholarship, sister/brotherhood, and service.[1] Service is a major aspect of those certain guidelines, given the eagerness and willingness of the UCF Greeks has resulted in positively impacting and influencing the campus community, since the 1970s. Involvement in philanthropic events is essentially paramount to each and every fraternity and sorority at the University of Central Florida, dating back to 1971.
Fraternities and sororities throughout the years have sponsored fundraising events to benefit prominent local and nationwide organizations. Each fraternity and sorority represent national philanthropy, organizations that are represented by a fraternity or a sorority, where both raise money for their given organization yearly.[2] Organizations such as the March of Dimes, an esteemed organization. March of Dimes is a non-profit organization founded by former President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1938. The organization was created in response to the nationwide epidemic of polio. The organization throughout the years has changed its primary focus to aid in preventing birth defects and infant mortality through research.This is just one example who the beneficiaries were and where monetary donations provided by the Greek life were given to.
Events are coordinated on campus/off campus by the Greek community to fulfill their service duties.[3] Events such a“Greek Week”, a social and philanthropic event that is only limited to Greek members.[4] The event consists of multiple activities over a course of a week, within this particular week many hours are put in, resulting in thousands of dollars raised from this single event.(5) Money raised from this event is ultimately given back to the community and different organizations. Philanthropic events have not only been limited to this “Greek Week”, as other events have been held throughout the semesters to contribute to their philanthropy fulfillment.
The philanthropic relationship to and within the fraternities and sororities at UCF is highly recognized by the university itself.[6] Giving back to the community showcases just one of the many ideals the university has intended to represent since its establishment. University Presidents such as Colbourn made great efforts to acknowledge the philanthropic work the Greek community was involved with.[7] The active philanthropic participation within the Greek community fulfills the charitable needs the university perpetually has intended to achieve. Since the beginning of Greek chapters being established on campus from 1971, their values have remained the same throughout the years.
Philanthropy for the UCF Greek community has been, and still is imperative for the fraternities and sororities. Their contributions have been substantial and appreciable by the community and the university. An indispensable element to the Greek life at the University of Central Florida,
and other universities across the nation.
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(1) Second Annual Greek Council Report:1989-90, Box 1, Fraternity and Sorority I. Admin Files – Greek Council Reports 1989-90, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
(2) First Annual Greek Council Report:1989-90, Box 1, Fraternity and Sorority I. Admin Files – Greek Council Reports 1989-90, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
(3) Tri-Delta Greek Week, Photograph, Box 32, University Archives/University Photographs. IV. Campus Life, Academics, Club Performance, Resource, and Services. Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
(4) Second Annual Greek Council Report:1989-90, Box 1, Fraternity and Sorority I. Admin Files – Greek Council Reports 1989-90, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
(5) Ibid.
(6) H. Trevor Colbourn to Sigma Alpha Epsilon, March 28, 1983, Letter, Box 10, Colbourn III Student Affairs —Student Organizations—Fraternities—Sororities and Honor Societies, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.
(7) Ibid