How will do students benefit from joining a fraternity or sorority?
Sororities and fraternities have a rich history at Penn State Behrend dating back to the 1980’s. These organizations are rooted in founding principles that foster academic achievement, student involvement, community service, and life-long friendships. Fraternities and sororities are groups of individuals who come together to form a personal network of individuals with similar ideas, interests, and a mutual pursuit of a well-rounded college education. Advantages include:
- A support group to help make the adjustment to college easier
- Scholastic resources to help student achieve their academic goals
- Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experience
- Encouragement to get involved and maximize their potential on campus
- Opportunities for active participation in community service projects
How will joining a fraternity or sorority affect my student’s academic pursuits?
Fraternities and sororities serve as a great resource for students academically through group studying and tutoring programs. Most chapters require a high grade point average for initial membership into the organization. All chapters are Penn State are required to hold a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5; however, many of our chapters pride themselves on their outstanding academic achievements because they hold grade point averages much higher than the minimum requirement. A chapter scorecard is published at the end of each semester and includes the overall GPA information for each chapter.
What are the social aspects of fraternity and sorority membership?
The fraternity and sorority community at Penn State Behrend has made serious efforts at creating a more responsible and safe environment for its members at social events. All fraternities and sororities have strict policies regulating the consumption of alcohol for underage members and guests, and all organizations are held accountable for violations of their respective governing council’s social policy.
What is the financial obligation?
Like any opportunity 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. Additional costs throughout the semester will go toward activities, formals, dinners, t-shirts, etc. When someone is participating in the recruitment process, it is important to ask about the financial obligations of membership.
Is hazing a part of the fraternity and sorority culture at Penn State?
Penn state Behrend has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing that is consistent with state law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Hazing is contrary to the purposes of the fraternity and sorority community and the University; therefore, it is not tolerated. Organizations found responsible for hazing will permanently lose their recognition by the Pennsylvania State University.
The university defines hazing as
any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or that willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any registered student organization.
Hazing includes, but is not limited to,
any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance or any other forced physical activity that could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct that could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity that could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property.
Any activities as described in this definition upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in a registered student organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be “forced” activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding. Any registered student organization that commits hazing is subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate registering organization.
(http://studentaffairs.psu.edu/hub/greeks/hazing.shtml)
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 its inter/national organization, which offers support, advice, and direction through paid professional staff and regional volunteers. The professional staff in Student Leadership and Involvement at Penn State Behrend serve as advisors to the two governing councils and serve as the primary contacts for the fraternity and sorority community.
What is the role of a parent for someone interested in fraternity & sorority life?
- Students need support throughout the process of recruitment and new member education. Be supportive and learn as much as you can about fraternity and sorority life by asking questions and being open to learning how you can also get involved.
- Keep an open mind — fraternity and sorority life is not for everyone. Just because you may have been a fraternity or sorority member doesn’t mean that it is the right choice for your student.
- Fraternities and sororities are different on every campus. Groups that may have been strong on the campus where you attended school may not have the same reputation at Penn State Behrend. Let your student choose the group that they feels the most comfortable joining.
- Talk to your student beforehand about the financial obligation. Determine who will pay for what and where the limits are.
- Know that the system of fraternity and sorority recruitment at Penn State Behrend is competitive. Not everyone who wants to be in a fraternity or sorority will receive a bid.
- Do not become too involved in the sorority and fraternity recruitment process, this is your student’s decision. There will be plenty of activities and events for you to attend or even help plan once your student joins one of our organizations.
- Keep contact information for Student Leadership and Involvement on hand if you have any questions or concerns.