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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Join a Fraternity or Sorority?
Joining a fraternal organization offers many benefits, from academic encouragement and support, lifelong friendships, numerous leadership possibilities, and social activities, to philanthropic and service opportunities. Members are also introduced to alumni of their organizations from all over the world. By joining a fraternity or sorority, a person can create an entire network of people.
How can a fraternity/sorority help me academically?
Academic achievement is a priority for fraternities and sororities. Many organizations enforce grade point average requirements and offer study sessions, tutoring, and other programs to assist members. Many chapters also provide incentives to their members who excel in the classroom. Students who take advantage of the academic support available and properly balance their time between academic and extracurricular pursuits may find that membership enhances their academic performance.
How much will it cost?
Fraternity and sorority chapters are self-sufficient, self-governed and controlled, independent student organizations. Chapters collect dues and membership fees from members and most groups have one-time initiation fees, plus semester dues. Dues are spent on philanthropic and social events, scholarship programming, membership recruitment, and parent/alumni programming. Most chapters offer payment plans and scholarships to help their members meet their financial obligations. Room and board costs for many chapters with facilities are comparable to rates at on and off campus options. For more information, please visit the finances page.
How much time does membership cost?
Like most other extra-curricular activities, how much you get out of your membership is related to how much you put in. On average, expect to contribute four hours per week for meetings and mandatory activities. Optional activities, such as serving as an officer, attending social events, competing on an intramural sports team, or helping out with various projects, will take additional time. With prioritization and good time management, fraternity or sorority activities can easily fit into your weekly schedule and still allow plenty of time for classes, studying, work, and participation in other campus activities.
What can I do as a parent or family member?
As your student considers fraternity or sorority life:
• Learn as much as you can about the fraternities or sororities, including the national organizations governing those organizations.
• Ask questions about what the organizations will offer your student. Fraternities and sororities recognized by different schools may take different approaches. Allow your student to choose a group with whom they feel most comfortable.
• Discuss the financial obligations with your student. Joining a fraternity or sorority provides lifetime membership, and there will be obligations both financially and personally.
As your student experiences fraternity or sorority life:
• Keep an open mind. Your college experience may be different than your student's.
• Participate in chapter events designed for parents. These events provide you the opportunity to participate in events and activities.
• Some chapters have organizations for parents to join, such a parents association, a mom's club, or a dad's club. This is a great way to meet the parents and families of other chapter members, while providing support and resources to the chapter.
What about misconduct?
You may have heard about hazing in the media. Hazing is a violation of Interfraternity Council or Panhellenic Council policy and state law. Sanctions can be brought forth for individual students and/or organizations alleged of hazing. If you ever feel you may have been hazed or harassed by a fraternity or sorority at K-State, file an incident report immediately. To file an incident/complaint, please click the concern button at the top of our webpage.
Each organization has their own policies and procedures for dealing with misconduct. The Interfratenity Council, as well as the Panhellenic Council, has policies. If a chapter violates the IFC or PHC policies and a complaint is filed, a judicial board conducts a hearing and sanctions the organization.