For incoming NIU students looking for a family away from home, going Greek might be the way to go.

Students can find information about the Greek system starting at New Student Welcome Days in the beginning of fall semester, where Greeks promote events and their chapters and talk to students about how to get involved, said Chris Juhl, activities adviser for fraternity and sorority affairs.

The NIU Greek life Web site, www.greeklife.niu.edu, also has contact information and a registration form. Once students fill out the form either online or during welcome days, forms are forwarded to the College Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council or National Panhellenic Council. The appropriate council will contact the student about further recruitment, Juhl said.

There is no limit to when a student can join a Greek chapter, since new members range from seniors and transfer students to incoming freshmen, Juhl said.

However, students should be aware of the responsibilities put upon them when they join a chapter, such as going to events and meetings, and know it is important to prioritize, Juhl said.

Juhl said the brotherhood or sisterhood bond is what sets Greek chapters apart from any other organization on campus.

Juhl also mentioned being involved in a Greek chapter is like having an instant family, and when he was in college, his fraternity brothers “treated [him] like a brother and did things for [him] [his] own family didn’t do.”

Being in a Greek chapter may also speed up the process of becoming acclimated to the college campus, because within the first month of being in a chapter, information is provided about the university’s services and opportunities, Juhl said.