Will I be able to focus on academics if I live in a Fraternity house??The primary reason why students attend a university such as UW is to receive a high quality of education. A scholastic chairman is established each year that is responsible for maintaining a proper studying environment and to find ways to improve the chapters performance. AGR helps incoming members excel in their classes by giving them the opportunity to receive help from other members who have already taken many of the same courses and have the same or similar major. Mandatory quiet hours each night during the week ensure that you'll get a good night's sleep. In the end, hard work is rewarded with annual scholarships.

What sort of professional activities do AGR members participate in?A great way to get to know other students as well as future and current leaders in the industry is at AGR. Alumni contacts are very important at AGR. By hosting alumni dinners and homecoming tailgates, members establish valuable ties with people in the professional world. Members are also encouraged to participate in many clubs and organizations across campus such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Block and Bridle, ASUW, Gamma Sigma Delta agriculture honorary, and many more. Brothers are very visible and involved in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources as well as the University and the community in general.

So exactly what is included in the social part of AGR?
As a group, we have many planned organized activities. Our annual Earth Day Barbeque, social gatherings at the house, our annual "Pink Rose" formal, Christmas Tree Hunt, tailgating, socials with sororities, Greek Week, Homecoming, and other activities are all ways for members to have fun, socialize, relieve stress, and make friends, bonds, and contacts.

What about all the hazing that goes on in fraternities?
While most fraternities claim not to haze, Alpha Gamma Rho has taken it one step further – eliminating the pledging system. That's right; there is no pledging at AGR. Pledging is a system that most fraternities employ. It involves giving a prospective member an invitation to become a "pledge". As a pledge he is not awarded the same rights as the members because he is actually not yet a member. The pledge has responsibilities during this pledge period (sometimes involving hazing but not always). At the end of the pledge period (usually around 6 – 9 weeks) the members of the fraternity have the right to deny the pledge the opportunity to join.

At AGR, if a prospect is given an invitation to join (a "bid"), it is just that – an invitation to JOIN. There is no pledge period. From the moment a prospect is initiated he is an equal member, guaranteed the same rights, privileges, and responsibilities as every other member. As a new member he is paired up with an older member. This older member, or "Big Brother", assists the new member in wherever possible, such as tutoring for class, answering questions about the fraternity, or just helping the new member feel welcome. Essentially, each new member will have his own personal advisor to help whenever needed.

By living, studying, and playing together, members of Alpha Gamma Rho create bonds that cannot be explained with words, it is something that must be experienced to appreciate. The bonds that form between the members of AGR are strong, and often create friendships that last a lifetime. The bond begins for our new members during the membership development program and continues on past graduation as alumni.

How do I become a member?At the beginning of every semester, AGR holds a weeklong open house, or "Rush". Potential members are encouraged to come over any or all nights and meet the members of the fraternity on a casual and relaxed basis, eat dinner, play cards, or whatever other activity is planned. After the Rush period is over, interviews are held. This gives members and potential members alike a chance to ask and answer questions about each other. It is an opportunity to see if AGR is something the potential member truly wants to be a part of. After interviews are over, an official invitation of bid may be extended to the potential member. 72 hours after acceptance he is initiated into full membership of the fraternity.

What if I missed Rush Week?Because AGR does not have a pledge system, bids can be handed out and new members can be initiated all semester long. So, if you missed Rush week and are still interested, you can visit and see if it's right for you. There's no need to wait until next semester.

One-of-a-kind!
Again, the uniqueness of AGR has much to offer. If it sounds like something you're interested in, check it out. After all, college only lasts about 4 years – Alpha Gamma Rho lasts a lifetime!

How can I find out more about Alpha Gamma Rho?
Want a tour of the house or take advantage of a free meal? Want to see what AGR can do for you? If you want more information or have questions about AGR, at the University of Wyoming, or college in general, feel free to contact the Recruitment chair at any time:

Andrew Schofield

Recruitment Chair
1420 Grand Ave.
Laramie, WY 82070
Aschofield2008@yahoo.com