1. How will my student benefit from joining a fraternity or sorority?
2. How will joining a Greek organization affect my student's academic pursuits?
3. What are the social aspects of fraternity and sorority membership?
4. What is the financial obligation?
5. Is hazing a part of the Greek culture at Wright State?
6. Who is actually in charge of the fraternities and sororities?
7. What is Rush/Recruitment/Intake?
8. How do I get more information on Greek Life? How do I contact the Greek Life office? 
9. What is pledging?
10. What is a philanthropy or service project?
11. How will joining a chapter now benefit my student after college?
12. What can I do as a parent or family member?

1. How will my student benefit from joining a fraternity or sorority?

Fraternities and sororities are rooted in founding principles that foster academic achievement, student involvement, community service, and life-long friendships. Advantages include:

* A support group to help ease the adjustment to college.
* Scholastic resources to help student achieve their academic goals.
* Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experience.
* Encouragement to get involved, stay involved and maximize their potential on campus.
* Opportunities for active participation in community service projects.

Furthermore, National studies conducted annually consistently indicate that students who choose to join Greek-letter organizations experience many positive benefits, including the following:

* Greek students are more likely to stay in college than non-Greek students.
* College graduates who belong to a sorority or fraternity tend to be more financially successful than other college graduates.
* Greek alumni give both more money and more frequently to their alma maters than non-Greek alumni.
* Greek students are more active on campus and in community activities. Upon graduation, these members are also more likely to get involved in volunteer and charitable organizations.

2. How will joining a Greek organization affect my student's academic pursuits?

Historically, Greek-letter organizations were founded on the principles of academic success and camaraderie. Today is no different. Our members realize that academic achievement is the main priority of WSU students. Greek-letter organizations continue to strive for academic excellence and promote scholarship by providing academic resources for their members including tutoring, academic advisors, study groups, scholarships, and awards. Chapter members know the importance of helping new students to adjust to University academics. Many chapters have a rewards system based on GPA. Prospective members must meet a minimum GPA in order to be initiated and then must maintain a minimum GPA to remain an active member. In fact, Greek members GPA(s) are traditionally higher than their non-Greek colleagues.

3. What are the social aspects of fraternity and sorority membership?

Because the Greek community at WSU contributes to the social activity on campus, the University, Office of Student Activities, council executives and national organizations have worked toward the creation of a responsible and safe environment for its members. All fraternities and sororities have strict policies regarding the consumption of alcohol by underage members and guests. All Greek organizations are held accountable to the Wright State University Alcohol Policy and Ohio state laws.

4. What is the financial obligation?

Like some opportunities for involvement in college there is a financial commitment associated with a joining a fraternity or sorority. The costs go toward the Inter/National fees, chapter operating expenses, and social functions. Financial obligations differ among individual chapters. New members can expect to pay higher dues their first semester than in subsequent ones. While your son or daughter is participating in the recruitment process, make sure that he or she asks about the financial obligations of membership.

5. Is hazing a part of the Greek culture at WSU?

The Wright State University has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing that is consistent with Ohio anti-hazing legislation. As listed in the Wright State University Student Handbook, “No student organization, individual student, or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. Hazing activities are defined as:

"Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off the campus premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; wearing of public apparel that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities that are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual, or policy, or the regulations and policies of Wright State University, or applicable state and/or federal law(s).” (WSU Student Handbook)

Hazing is not tolerated. If you sense your student may be participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity or sorority, you should contact the Office of Greek Life. Calls will be handled in an immediate and discreet manner.

6. Who is actually in charge of the fraternities and sororities?

Individual chapters elect officers to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. These officers are assisted by alumni who act as advisors. Each chapter is also responsible to report with their Inter/national organization, which offers support, advice, and direction through paid professional staff and regional volunteers. At WSU, Iris Mirelez, Assistant Director of Student Activities for Greek Life and Leadership, serves as the primary contact for the Greek community. You may contact Iris Mirelez via telephone at (937) 775-5560 or via e-mail at iris.mirelez@wright.edu.

7. What is Rush/Recruitment/Intake?

Chapters on WSU’s campus practice either recruitment or Intake. There are two forms of recruitment, formal and informal. Formal recruitment is often held prior to the beginning of the fall semester each year for Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic (NPC) groups. The formal process allows your son or daughter to explore the full range of student organizations and activities. However, throughout the remainder of the calendar year, both men and women will have the opportunity to meet and interact with fraternity and sorority members. The Membership Intake process to join an NPHC organization (the ‘Divine Nine’, historically African American Greek Letter organizations) occurs at various times throughout the year at the discretion of each organization. It is heavily encouraged that students do extensive research into the NPHC organizations by visiting their web sites and reading historical documents about each group, prior to contacting the respected organization.

8. How do I get more information about Greek Life?

There are many sources of information available -- especially if you have access to the world wide web. You can go to the Greek Life homepage at http://www.wright.edu/students/greek/ for various resources and information. Also, you can contact the Office of Student Activities at (937)775-5570 and someone can assist you with the questions you may have about Greek Life.

9. What is the new member period (formerly ‘pledging’)?

All fraternity and sorority members experience a period of orientation. During this time, your student and other new members will participate in weekly meetings to learn about the university and the fraternity/sorority history, leadership retreats, community service projects, and activities designed to build friendships among new members (pledges/associates/candidates) and the initiated members. ALL FRATERNITY AND SORORITY POLICIES FORBID HAZING, and are committed to a membership education period that instills a sense of responsibility and commitment in the new members. This period will assist your student in overcoming some of the concerns about success in college.

10. 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) financially and physically. Throughout the year, each the chapter spends time fundraising (which is considered philanthropy) and volunteering man/labor hours (which is considered community service) to help their particular philanthropy. In addition, the Greek Community Some of the philanthropies and community service opportunities that WSU Greeks have participated in, or donated to include:  Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, American Cancer Society, Make-A-Wish, Boys and Girls Club, Ronald McDonald House, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Girl Scouts of America, Big Brothers and Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity, United Rehabilitation Services. The time spent together on these events is one of the many times that fraternity brothers and sorority sisters can bond, while making a difference in someone’s life.

11. How will joining a chapter now benefit my student after college?

The life long friendships your student will make through their chapter can last into post-college years. Membership in a chapter can be a life-long experience. Joining now is really an investment in your student’s future. Wherever a member ends up after college, chances are he/she will be able to find an alumni chapter or other members of their fraternity or sorority in the area. In addition, Greeks have national networks for its members that could be helpful in finding jobs or internships.

12. What can I do as a parent or family member?

Be supportive, and learn as much as you can by asking your student questions before they join. Many groups will provide written statements concerning activities, finances, and policies; your student should be encouraged to obtain and read this information. In addition, allow your student to make their own choice (especially if you yourself were Greek). Your support should not end after the recruitment period but continue throughout your student's years in school. Once your student joins a chapter, take advantage of the Mom's and Dad's weekend activities and during the fall participate in WSU’s Family Weekend. These are great opportunities for you to see your student interacting with their chapter members, and one more way for you to spend time with your student.