It’s recruitment season, and with two weeks almost complete, a new year of Fraternity and Sorority Life kicks off at ETSU.

This year welcomes a new coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life, Zack Sholes. Sholes worked previously as a graduate assistant for Fraternity and Sorority Life after his time in Greek life at ETSU, then held a transitionary role as coordinator, before taking it on as a permanent role.

Photo of Zack Sholes. (Contributed/ETSU)

“Nothing (else) ever gave me the fulfillment that I felt being a brother of my chapter,” says Sholes. “I want people to know that there is a home for everyone.” Zack continued to urge students to “keep an open mind” and “get to know the chapters,” acknowledging the difference in culture for each chapter.

Currently, there are eight fraternities and five sororities on campus. This year, there are around 170 potential new sorority members and in a significant decrease from previous years, 90 potential new fraternity members. Last spring, around 715 total students were recorded as being involved in Greek life.

Campus this fall is also seeing the return of Kappa Sigma and Pi Kappa Alpha as re-established fraternities. PIKE, having recently acquired a house on W. Maple Street, making it the third current fraternity to do so.

Many efforts are being made to improve the Greek life experience at ETSU. Many of which, focus on revamping the Educating on Personal Impact In our Community program (EPIC). This will be EPIC’s third rendition on campus, and it’s foreseeing a redesign of some of the content of the program, with a goal of opening up more educational and leadership opportunities for students who have been through the program previously. Some of this content will focus on how to act as a better mentor, and staying connected as an alumni.

“The fact that we’re trying to include alumni more, this is a heavy focus for me. I want alumni to feel like they’re valued, like they’re heard, like we appreciate their feedback,” says Sholes. “We understand that Greek life will not be successful without our alumni involvement. . .”

Alumni are a huge focus this year, with goals of increasing the Greek life alumni presence on campus. There are talks of introducing a new Greek Alumni Advisory Council, to provide guidance and networking opportunities to their chapters. There is also a potential return for Greek Week, to be hosted in the spring and focusing on philanthropy directly. These projections, however, are not yet confirmed.

“Ultimately, I’m very proud,” says Sholes. “Like I said, I’ve worked now five semesters with each of these chapters. I’ve seen them grow. . . and I’ve seen some fantastic things from these leaders and from their former predecessors. I’m very very proud of all of our leaders and all of our chapters and I’m very excited for this year and what’s coming.”

Photo of the ETSU fraternity rush schedule. (Contributed/ETSU Interfraternity Council)

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