Over 100 students belong to one of six Greek Life chapters on campus, which includes Alpha Psi Alpha, Phi Delta Omega, Pi Kappa Gamma, Beta Sigma Omega, Mu Lambda Sigma and Zeta Chi.

This school year, a new program was created called the Five Star Program, which will replace Greek Standards.

“(This program) promotes and establishes high standards for all fraternities and sororities at Lakeland College,” said Corey Roberson, student success and engagement coach.

This program focuses on five components: academic excellence, participatory citizenship, campus involvement, member development and chapter development.

Academic excellence requires all Greek members to meet or exceed the average GPA of all students on campus. Participatory citizenship requires 75 percent of members to participate in five hours of community service during a school year. Campus involvement means that 75 percent of members are involved in one cocurricular activity. Member and chapter development focuses on each chapter and how it will be improved.

Chapters will gain five stars by earning points for each guideline that is met. If 18 points are achieved, then the chapter will be considered a five star organization.

“It adds value to our chapters here on campus,” said Jess Luecke, sophomore Pi Kappa Gamma member and business administration and accounting major. “And if we already meet most of these requirements—such as attending athletic events, planning events to promote healthy living and (performing) community service—what is a little bit of documentation? It is encouraging Greeks to excel both personally and as a whole.”

For students interested in joining Greek life at the beginning of a semester, there are two ways that can be accomplished. One way is to show interest in the chapter. The other is for the chapter to show interest in you.

In addition, first-semester freshmen are unable to participate in Greek life until their second semester. According to Roberson, this is to give the student a chance to adjust to college life before making a commitment to a Greek chapter.

“We expect Greeks to be leaders,” said Roberson. “We expect them to excel. It’s a privilege to be Greek.”