Between national initiatives and on-campus outreach, community engagement is built into fraternities and sororities at Michigan State University. In 2025–2026, over 4,800 students organized each semester to give back to Greater Lansing through philanthropy and volunteerism.

“You’re joining something that’s not just about you,” says Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) director Tyler Manning. “There’s so much professional and personal development, but you are a part of something that helps the greater good.”

The FSL staff, led by Manning, supports four national councils and 61 active chapters at MSU. Each chapter requires an annual service and philanthropy component, often linked to nonprofits and charities with which the national fraternity or sorority partners. Beyond national requirements, FSL also advises several community-engaged events, both on and off campus, planned by students throughout the year.

“It helps [students] see themselves as a part of not just Michigan State’s community, but the city of East Lansing and Greater Lansing communities,” Manning says. “Our hope is to prepare them to be a global citizen once they leave here. What maybe feels like a small event to them helps them see real-world impact that has been cultivated through their leadership.”

One tradition is Safe Halloween, a trick-or-treating alternative where chapters host a carnival of Halloween activities for East Lansing children. Safe Halloween also includes a philanthropic project: On October 29, 2025, FSL students held a diaper drive for the MSU Student Parent and Caregiver Resource Center (SPRC).

“When the Safe Halloween student leadership team meets with the staff member responsible for that event, they brainstorm where they can make the greatest good happen,” Manning says. Prior to the diaper drive, in August 2025 participants in FSL’s leadership training partnered with SPRC by filling and donating pencil boxes with school supplies. Manning adds that few fraternity and sorority members use the SPRC’s resources. “Part of [this choice] was reflecting and supporting an MSU student population outside of our own community.”

This spirit of giving continues in the spring with Greek Week, a series of educational programs, athletic competitions, service initiatives, and performance showcases. For this celebration, chapters organize into teams that compete to raise the most funds and resources for community partners.

“Greek Week was an incredible opportunity to bring together thousands of Spartans through service, connection, and community,” says Greek Week 2026 executive officer Caleb Lee. “Representing the Multicultural Greek Council made the experience even more meaningful, as we were able to celebrate and showcase our diverse cultures and customs while giving back to the Greater Lansing community alongside our fellow students.”

Helena Merritt has been part of the leadership team for Greek Week since her freshman year. “This year, as the Panhellenic Vice President of Community Relations, I had the privilege of being involved in its coordination from a different perspective,” she says. “This role allowed me to connect with a diverse range of individuals, both within and outside the Greek community. It was inspiring to witness the growth and development of fellow student leaders throughout the planning process.”

In spring 2026, Greek Week participants assembled over 1,400 hygiene kits for Haven House and the Women’s Center of Greater Lansing. A blood drive collected from 141 donors, with the potential to impact up to 333 lives. Within campus, FSL students contributed over 3,125 pounds of food to the MSU Food Bank and Basic Needs Program.

“Greek Week holds a special place in my heart because it brings our entire Fraternity and Sorority Life community together to make a meaningful impact beyond our campus,” says Sarah Hamel, Greek Week 2026 student director. “It’s an opportunity to strengthen the bonds within our community, and seeing thousands of students come together with a shared purpose is both inspiring and a testament to the values that define FSL.”

Greek Week 2026 executive officer James Parker agrees. “Greek Week is our opportunity to show that we understand our privilege and to give back to the community as much as they support us.”

Along with these efforts, Greek Week raised over $40,000 for the Ronald McDonald House of Mid-Michigan (RMHMM), which provides housing near hospitals for families whose children need medical treatment. The student planning committee personally delivered a check to RMHMM to better understand their facilities and services.

“MSU Greek Week's generous gift to Ronald McDonald House Mid-Michigan provides 200 nights of free lodging for families staying at our House while their child is hospitalized,” says RMHMM executive director Carolyn Hurst. “This incredible contribution ensures our families are well-nourished, rested, and refreshed while also keeping them less than 500 steps from their children's bedside during a critical time.”

Chapters are also free to collaborate in developing their own service projects. Since spring 2023, fraternities and sororities have partnered with Michigan Waterways Stewards to organize biannual cleanups of the Red Cedar River. FSL student leaders also recruit other service organizations on campus and encourage participation over multiple weekends for each cleanup. During their April 2026 efforts, FSL students collected thousands of pounds of debris from the river and beautified areas along the Lansing River Trail.

“The impact MSU’s Greek [Life] community has created far exceeds that of creating a cleaner, healthier, and more enjoyable Red Cedar River,” says Michigan Waterways Stewards president and founder and MSU alum Michael Stout. Since 2023, these river cleanups have spanned over 6 miles of the Red Cedar and expanded to over 3 miles of the Grand River. “Through their efforts, they have fostered a greater sense of community and connectivity at a level perhaps unprecedented in our school’s history.”

By expanding the personal development that they receive through fraternity and sorority membership to include a community focus, FSL students recognize that they are part of something greater than themselves. According to Manning, “When our [FSL] community is most mobilized, they are positioned well to do good.”