Greek Goes Green

The Greek Goes Green Program (GGG), a student-run partnership between Sustainable Campus and FSU’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, is focused on educating and engaging the Greek community on sustainable living practices. GGG began at Florida State many years ago but was brought back in the Spring of 2022 because Sustainable Campus assessed the untapped potential for sustainability initiatives within Greek life. Over these past two years, the GGG program has developed into a full-functioning program and continues to grow and gain new chapters each semester. 

The Greek Goes Green Program is open to all Greek-lettered organizations, including IFC, Panhellenic, MGC, and NPHC, as well as professional and service fraternities. These organizations learn of GGG from one of our many recruitment techniques such as informational emails, community announcements at council meetings, or semesterly interest meetings. Lucie White, the Chi Omega delegate was excited about the program after hearing it spoken about at a Panhellenic meeting. 

“I am an Environmental Science and Policy major and have always been passionate about sustainability, so having a way to share my interests with my sorority was so exciting, ” White said. 

After Greek chapters express interest in GGG, a delegate is chosen and the opt-in process begins. Delegates are in charge of spearheading sustainability practices in their chapter. They follow the GGG Sustainability Guide which awards Greek organizations points for each initiative that they implement. Chapters can gain points for different initiatives including but not limited to environmental education presentations at chapter meetings, recycling bins in their housing facilities, and cooking oil collection. Alpha Gamma Delta’s delegate, Brooke Kubiak, has led her chapter to new levels of sustainability.

“At Alpha Gam, I have started a Sustainability Committee that is open for anyone to join. We have discussions, help educate our chapter, and assist in running events. So far, we have hosted two thrift swaps and are planning an upcycle event since sustainable fashion is important and engaging to a lot of our members,” Brooke said. 

The Greek Goes Green Program is uniquely important because 20% of Florida State’s student population is involved in Greek Life. Reaching this audience with plans that tie into FSU’s sustainability goals is a great step on Florida State’s campus. Some chapters have even found ways to incorporate sustainability into already existing programs. 

“Sustainability goes hand in hand with our philanthropic focus of fighting hunger, so we have rented out an Alpha Gamma Delta plot at the Seminole Organic Garden where all the food grown goes to the FSU Food for Thought Pantry to help food insecure members of our campus,” Brooke said. 

This program also allows individual chapters to stand out among their peers and make a good impression on their national offices. Phi Gamma Delta president, Will Frank, felt it was important to be the first IFC chapter to opt into the GGG program in order to set a good example for other chapters in his council.

“As Fiji president, I am always looking for new ways to be a leader in IFC. By opting into Greek Goes Green, brothers have learned about the importance of sustainability and we are proud to be leading our council in this initiative,” Will said. 

Overall, GGG takes its role as a liaison between Sustainable Campus and the Greek population seriously and is excited to lead a new generation of Greek leaders toward a more sustainable future. 

To get your Greek-lettered organization involved, email Greek Goes Green coordinator, Sarah Gibson at smg20a@fsu.edu for more information.