Frequently Asked Questions
Parents' Frequently Asked Questions
As your son or daughter prepares to attend college, he/she will have many opportunities to become involved in campus life. Becoming a part of a fraternity is one of the richest opportunities that your son or daughter will have.
Below are a few questions that you may have as your student begins this life enriching experience:
What will my son or daughter get out of Greek life that they would not get out of any other college organization?
Coming to college is one of the major life changes that your son or daughter will go through. Joining a fraternity or sorority will help make the transition easier. Developing life-long friendships with the members in their chapter helps make the campus smaller. For many members, these chapters become a home away from home. In addition to the brotherhood, every chapter is dedicated to enhancing leadership, scholarship, philanthropy/service, and financial responsibility through various programs and opportunities. It will be up to your son or daughter to determine the level of involvement they want to have in the organization and what kind of experience it will be for them.
How will joining a chapter now benefit my son or daughter after college?
The life long friendships your son or daughter will make through their chapter can last into post-college years. Greeks have national networks for their members to use for securing jobs and advancing their careers. Membership in a chapter is a life-long experience that the member and the fraternity enjoy together. Joining now is really an investment in your son or daughter's future as they will reap the benefits now and for a lifetime. Wherever a member ends up after college, chances are he/she will be able to find other members of their organization.
Will my son or daughter's academics be compromised if they join a Greek chapter?
Students often find managing their time difficult when moving from the highly structured high school environment to the freedom of college life. Greek membership assists in that transition by offering scholarship programs that may include study partners, mandatory study hours, and time management workshops. Your son or daughter can also access the network of chapter members who already know how to use campus resources like the library, study skills center, computer labs, and academic advisors. Nothing, however, can take the place of a disciplined and academically-focused student to ensure success in college.
What is a Philanthropy or Service Project?
Greek members take it as part of their mission to support their national philanthropies (non-for-profit causes). Throughout the year, each chapter spends time fundraising and volunteering to help their particular philanthropy. The time spent together on philanthropic and service events is one of the many times that fraternity members have the opportunity to bond, while making a difference in a community member's life.
How much time does a chapter take up?
The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter but the first semester is the most time intensive as the new member goes through the chapter's New Member Education Program. The time spent in this program will give your student the opportunity to develop their leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of the Fraternity, develop friendships with their new member class, as well as the rest of the chapter, and allow them to become involved with other organizations. After initiation into the chapter, expectations will vary. Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other mandatory events (philanthropic, service, initiation) throughout the year, but they are planned well in advance. The more your son or daughter puts into the chapter the more he/she will get out of being a member!
What does it cost to be a member?
The Greek Experience is an investment in your student's future. The leadership skills, the academic assistance, and friendships will benefit your child beyond their college days. The perception that fraternities are only an option for "rich" students is widespread and false. Greek organizations are quite affordable and fees go to services that will positively impact your son or daughter. Member's dues directly support the betterment of the chapter and the national organization. To assist members, chapters may offer various scholarships and grants. We encourage your son or daughter to ask questions related to finances during the recruitment process. We also encourage you to be "hands-on" in this decision if you have any questions about the obligations regarding finances.
Are fraternities primarily social in nature?
There is a social aspect to the Greek community but these "social" events include education programs/workshops, community service events, intramural sports, Parent's Weekend, Homecoming Parade and dinner exchanges in addition to parties and socials. Today's Greek communities across the nation have adopted a stringent approach to socializing thereby creating a safer, more beneficial environment for members.
Is there an alcohol policy?
Some fraternity houses prohibit the use of alcohol on their facilities. Each chapter has an alcohol policy in which there are yearly educational programs that the chapter is required to present to its members.
What about hazing?
WPI and Massachusetts State Law prohibits all forms of hazing. If you have any concerns about the content of an organization's new member activities, please feel free to contact Emily Perlow, Assistant Director of Student Activities and Greek Life Programs at eperlow@wpi.edu or 508.831.5291.
What is my role as a parent?
Take the time to find out more about the chapter your son or daughter is joining. Ask questions about what the organizations will offer your child and allow them to make the best decision for themselves. Once your child chooses to join a chapter, there will be opportunities for Mom's and Dad's weekend activities, as well as a number of other activities.
As you look into the Greek Community with your son or daughter consider the following information compiled by national studies:
Fraternity affiliation can positively influence retention through graduation. Fraternity affiliation directly impacts campus involvement and overall student satisfaction with college. Fraternity affiliation can positively influence involvement in civic organizations after college. Some statistics compiled by the North-American Interfraternity Conference include:
- 48% of all US Presidents have been Greek
- 42% of US Senators are Greek
- 30% of US Congressmen are Greek
- 40% of all US Supreme Court Justices have been Greek
- 30% of Fortune 500 Executives are Greek
- And Greeks only make up 3% of the US population.
Last modified: March 30, 2007 11:29:12