Fraternity & Sorority Life
Frequently Asked Questions (Parents)
How much does Greek membership cost?
Many parents have questions about the financial obligations for membership. Your son or daughter should feel free to ask questions up front, and information will be provided to them during the rush and recruitment process as well. Often parents receive a mailing from their student’s fraternity or sorority after rush is over informing them too of these costs. You should always feel free to contact the chapter president, advisor, or house corporation board president if you need more information or have concerns as the University does not own or operate the Greek houses. Each individual organization determines the costs for living in their facility; however, room and board in the chapter houses is, on average, very similar to what the University charges for students living in University owned housing.
In addition to room and board cost, each chapter also assesses dues to their members. Dues support the chapter operational expenses, social functions, and national fees. New members can expect to pay higher dues their first semester for national costs (pledging fees, initiation fees, badge cost, etc.). Additional (and often optional) costs through the semester may include t-shirts, pictures, etc. Most chapters offer payment plans and some even offer scholarships to help make Greek life financially accessible for anyone who wishes to join.
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Sorority room and board average: $2,720/semester
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Sorority dues average: $500/semester
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Fraternity room and board average: $3650/semester
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Fraternity dues average: $475
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NPHC chapter dues average:
So who is in charge?
Each fraternity and sorority has a live-in house director. The house director is responsible for the day-to-day oversight of the facility, menu planning, maintenance concerns, and in some cases health related emergencies. The house director is employed by the local housing corporation that provides for the general up keep of the house, room and board contracts, and manages monies.
Each chapter also has an advisor or advisory board that provides guidance to the students in all areas of chapter operations. Most live locally or within a reasonable drive and have frequent contact with the chapter officers and membership.
In addition, staff in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life - the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Services and three Greek Life Coordinators - are employed by the University and work directly with the undergraduate governing councils (IFC, Panhel, NPHC), the chapter officers and alumni. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life is a part of the Student Affairs department and falls under the direction of the Dean of Campus Life.
Ultimately, the students themselves manage and lead their own chapters. Officers are elected each year and are responsible for living up to the standards and expectations the University, national organization, and alumni have of them. Greek life provides many opportunities for students to develop their leadership skills and learn important life skills.
What happens during rush?
The rush (for the men) and recruitment (for the women) processes occur in the first week of Spring Semester each year. Both the men and women participate in rounds of activities that allow them the opportunity to get to know the members and determine which organization is the best fit for them. IFC and Panhel sponsor rush and recruitment, and upperclass Greek men and women (called Rho Gammas or rush counselors) are assigned to each floor in the residence halls to support your son or daughter, answer questions, and assist them through the process in February.
Both rush and recruitment are considered mutual selection processes. In other words, both your student and the organizations are making decisions about who will join which chapter. Panhel follows strict recruitment guidelines prescribed by the National Panhellenic Conference
(www.npcwomen.org), and although the fraternity rush process isn’t quite as involved, it is still very structured.
Is hazing a problem on campus?
Chances are, you have heard stories in the media about the hazing related incidents in high schools, with professional athletes, in the military, and ultimately in some Greek communities. The University takes hazing very seriously and has proactive measures in place to educate our student leadership regarding appropriate and positive new member education practices. The University has a comprehensive hazing policy to which all student organizations are expected to adhere. In the case of a violation, allegations of hazing against an organization or individual are handled seriously through the University judicial process.
As a parent, you can help. Ask questions of your son or daughter, pay attention to their schedule during new member education, read about their national and local new member education programs, talk to chapter advisors, and watch for signs of stress or fatigue. New member education is a busy time, but it should never interfere with academic success or be burdensome. And most importantly, if you sense that your son or daughter is being hazed, you should contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at 765-658-4270. Calls will be handled discretely.
What about alcohol?
Much like the hazing issue, the University community has taken a serious position on high-risk alcohol use. The President’s Office has led the “Building a Responsible Community” initiative which has students and staff rethinking how we confront this societal problem. The University has developed an outstanding alcohol education program, and a piece of this program is designed to help Greek organizations host safe events.
Fraternities that are sponsoring parties must register the event in advance with the Director of Public Safety. His role is to educate the chapter officers about good risk management practices. In addition, the University, IFC, and each national organization have clear and specific policies on party management, and it is expected that the fraternities follow these guidelines. Organizations that do not comply face University judicial action.
For more information, please contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at 765-658-4270.
Are recommendations needed for recruitment?
Women participating in the Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment may submit recommendations to individual sororities if they chose. Although some Panhellenic systems require recs, at DePauw it won’t adversely affect a potential member’s recruitment experience if she doesn’t have them. Alumnae wishing to submit a rec should obtain the proper form from a sorority’s headquarters and then submit the rec directly to the chapter leadership.
