Welcome to 4-H House!
4-H House is a cooperative sorority that serves as a home away from home for 55 women at the University of Illinois.It was founded in 1934 by 4-H member Mary McKee. In 1980, we joined the University of Illinois Greek System, and the opportunities available to 4-H House women were broadened. We are involved in numerous activities throughout the year, including Little Sister and Little Brother Weekends, Mom's and Dad's Day Weekends, Formals, Exchanges with Fraternities, and Philanthropic Activities.
Throughout its sixty-five years of growth, 4-H House has maintained the following purposes:
- To strengthen the bonds of friendship
- Develop a spirit of unity among its members
- Promote scholastic interests
- Maintain an enriching home at lower cost
- And to provide social activities.
Cooperative living is our most important element. At 4-H House every woman shares the responsibilities of the house's day-to-day operations.
Our new members are chosen during interviewing weekends held in the spring. All new members live in the house the following fall. Members of a pledge class may range from incoming freshman to seniors to ladies transferring from another college.
A girl is a new member the first semester she lives in the house. During this time, the active members and, more specifically, the new member educator, introduce the new members to our cooperative style of living. It is very important to 4-H House that new members adjust well to their new home.The top priorities for a new member should include:
- Achieving a minimum 2.6 grade average
- Fulfilling house responsibilities
- And adjusting to campus life
During the first semester, each young woman is paired with a big sister, who is an active member that becomes a special friend. Active members also serve as academic advisors to new members in order to help them with classes and their chosen majors.