Information for Parents
If your son or daughter is interested in joining a fraternity or a sorority, it is very normal that you as a parent have some questions about what their membership entails! Below you will find a plethora of resources for you to help answer those common questions you may be having in regards to your students being a part of the Fraternity & Sorority Life Community at the University of Southern Indiana.
Role of the Parents & Families
Parents Frequently Asked Questions
How will my student benefit from joining a Greek organization?
There are many benefits to joining a Fraternity or Sorority as well as a larger community at USI. Fraternity/Sorority Life (FSL) at USI is built upon five pillars of excellence. Students seek excellence in scholarship, leadership, brotherhood and sisterhood, philanthropy, and growth, personal, chapter and community. By participating in FSL at USI, your student has the opportunity to develop skills in all of these areas and to build life-long connections while serving the greater community. Members are lifelong learners, leaders with self-understanding, diverse and well-rounded community members, and citizens with a greater understanding of the world and altruism.
How will joining a Greek organization affect my student’s academic pursuits?
As scholarship is one of the main pillars of excellence upon which Fraternity/Sorority Life at USI is built, students are encouraged to not only maintain their academic pursuits, but they are challenged to excel academically. To join an IFC fraternity or a Panhellenic sorority, a minimum 2.6 GPA is required, though some chapters have a higher minimum GPA set by their (inter)national organization.
What are the social aspects of membership in a Greek organization that I should expect?
Fraternities and Sororities provide a multitude of social interactions for students. As such, the university takes great strides to ensure that there is a safe and comfortable environment for all students who choose to participate. USI has a strict policy prohibiting alcohol on campus and polices/guidelines for when organizations host events where alcohol is present.
What is the financial obligation if my student joins a Fraternity or Sorority?
As with all avenues of involvement in college, there are some financial obligations that accompany participation in fraternity or sorority life which should be considered before making the commitment to join. While each organization may have a different amount, your student should expect to pay somewhere between $250 and $400 per semester to participate in Greek life. This fee goes toward national and chapter expenses as well as the social enterprises of the organization. In some instances, as a new member, your student may pay more for that semester than any of the semesters to follow to account for specific new member fees. You should discuss the financial obligation with your student ahead of time to make it clear whose responsibility payment will be.
Is hazing part of the Greek culture at the University of Southern Indiana?
Though the Greek culture is often portrayed in film as being full of acts of hazing, the university maintains strict policies against hazing, as do the individual chapters on USI’s campus. Hazing is defined as any action taken or any situation created whether on or off chapter premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Hazing is forbidden and will not be tolerated. If your student feels that he or she has been a victim of an act of hazing, he or she can contact Fraternity and Sorority Life for assistance.
Who is actually in charge of fraternities and sororities?
Each chapter elects individuals to govern the day-to-day operations of the chapter and to oversee the enforcement of (inter)national rules and regulations on USI’s campus. Additionally, each chapter has an alumni advisor who can assist the chapter in ensuring compliance with (inter)national policies. Finally, the Program Advisor for Fraternity/Sorority Life oversees the functioning of every chapter on campus and serves as the primary contact for the USI Greek Community.
