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Vincent Tinto Student Integration Model

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As fall approaches, students all around the world begin a new school year. For some it’s elementary and middle school and for others it’s high school or college. Among the traditional activities accompanying the start of college is fraternity/sorority rush, in which students who wish to join a Greek-letter organization attend functions to learn more about the various fraternities and sororities on campus. After the various functions, the different houses and chapters decide which students they would like to invite to become members. The negative aspects of Greek life is no secret to the American public simply because that’s what the media reports. There is an underlying reason that people continue to be a part of Greek life, and it isn’t only …show more content…

Within this model, he presents his findings: as a student interacts with the formal and non-formal dimensions of college, the student develops an institutional “fit” based on academic and social integration. If the fit is strong, the student is most likely to develop a greater commitment to the institution, be retained, and persist to graduation. Studies prove that Greek involvement increased the likelihood of persistence to graduation by 370% when compared to non-Greek members. In addition to persistence, other studies have shown that involvement also has a positive impact of engagement (Pike, 2003). Not only does involvement increase engagement, but also fraternity and sorority members have been recorded having higher GPA’s than non-members (Pike, 2003). Many Greek organizations have rules and obligations regarding academics. For example, RedandBlack News states that the average GPA for Greek members— which includes organizations in the Interfraternity Council, the Multicultural Greek Council, the National Panhellenic Council and the Panhellenic Council — is 3.32, while the total undergraduate GPA is 3.20; 0.12 higher than non-members (RedandBlack). It’s no wonder that some of the most successful people were Greek. Some former Greek members include: the first female senator, the first female astronaut, all 11 Apollo astronauts, 63% of the President’s cabinet since 1900, 76% of all congressmen and senators, and 85% of the Fortune. In addition to those statistics, 40 of the 47 U.S. Supreme Court Justices since 1910 as well as 43 of the 50 largest corporations in the nation are headed by fraternity men (The Fraternity Advisor). These statistics prove that being involved in Greek

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