GOING GREEK:
A Parent's Guide to Fraternities & Sororities
@ Valparaiso University

WELCOME!
WHAT DOES GREEK LIFE OFFER?
TERMINOLOGY
GREEK ORGANIZATIONS AT VALPARAISO UNIVERSITY

WELCOME!

Dear Parents,

We would like to offer you the answers to some of the questions you might have concerning the Greek community at Valparaiso University. Greek life at any university offers your son or daughter a 'home away from home', providing friendship, scholastic support, experience, involvement, and opportunities for the future.

At VU, our Greek community is strongly united and growing in numbers. On campus, the students affiliated with Greek letter organizations are viewed as a great asset, and many of the members are active campus leaders.

Valparaiso University currently has 8 sororities and 8 fraternities. All organizations have unique qualities, well suited to each of its members. Your son or daughter will have no trouble choosing an organization to join.

If you have any questions concerning Greek life, please do not hesitate to contact Jennifer Jones-Hall, Assistant Dean of Students for Greek Life and Volunteer Programs, by phone at 219.464.5411, or by email at Jennifer.JonesHall@valpo.edu.

Friendship
Leadership and Involvement
Service
I want my son or daughter to succeed academically. Will his/her membership
hinder those efforts?
What will it cost for my son or daughter to go Greek?
What us the time commitment involved in belonging to a Greek organization?
What about pledging and hazing?
Should alcohol be a concern if my son or daughter joins a Greek organization?

Friendship
At Valparaiso University fraternities and sororities enable men and women to establish strong friendships, often lasting beyond the collegiate years. Affiliation provides students with an opportunity to interact with members of all ages, and meet people within their Greek community and other student organizations. Membership also offers students a network of support while making the transition to college life.

Leadership and Involvement
Fraternities and sororities are self-governing bodies in which the members take on the responsibilities and offices of the chapter. This hands-on experience teaches leadership skills, and allows them to interact and make connections with other organizations and departments on campus. This experience is valuable for the future in that the student learns the importance of working with others, and responsibility for their actions. The Order of Omega, a Greek Honor Society, recognizes a select number of Greek members who excel in leadership, involvement, academics, and service to the community.

Service
One of the most gratifying aspects of fraternity and sorority life is the sense of satisfaction and pride that comes from involvement in community service. Greeks throughout the nation recognize local and national organizations in need of aid, and donate time and money through their special philanthropies and service projects. Greeks at VU are heavily involved in Adopt-A-Highway, Adopt-A-School and Christmas in April. Whether raising money or donating time, service is an important part of the Greek experience.

I want my son or daughter to succeed academically. Will his/her membership hinder those efforts?
The Greek community at Valparaiso University strives for academic excellence and improved scholastic achievement. Each chapter has chosen a grade point average requirement which each member must maintain to be active. Chapters also offer academic assistance for its members, providing study areas and peer tutoring. Every chapter understands that its members are students first, an provide recognition to those who excel and improve their academic standing. The University requires that students must have a 2.25 cumulative grade point average to pledge a fraternity or sorority, and have at least a second semester freshman status.

What will it cost for my son or daughter to go Greek?
Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial commitment. Each chapter is self-supporting through dues paid by their members. When students join a Greek letter organization, they also agree to pay dues and fees while in school to maintain membership. Although chapters may make accommodations for special needs, students should discuss the financial obligations with their parent(s) before deciding to join. Each chapter has different dues for membership that cover such things as chapter and national dues, dues to the Intrafraternity or Panhellenic councils, social activities, and miscellaneous costs.

What us the time commitment involved in belonging to a Greek organization?
There is no minimum or maximum time that a student must spend with the fraternity or sorority. Through involvement with the chapter, students will learn to better manage their time, balance academics, work and other commitments. Greeks find that being active in a fraternity or sorority is well worth the time that they put into it.

What about pledging and hazing?
Each new member participates in a period of orientation, where they attend meetings and learn about the history of the chapter, the university, and the values shared by each chapter across. Hazing is opposed by all sororities and fraternities at VU, and is not tolerated. Consequently, your son or daughter would never be asked to do anything he/she does not want to do.

Should alcohol be a concern if my son or daughter joins a Greek organization?
All fraternities and sororities have strict policies regarding the consumption of alcohol at all functions. These risk management guidelines are set by each chapter's national board, and adhere to the Indiana State and Valparaiso University policies. The sororities at VU are not allowed to possess alcohol in their living environments. The fraternities and sororities on campus also conduct programs to educate and instill standards and expectations for their members. All chapters at VU must follow the "IFC Risk Management" policy. In the year 2000, you will see a number of national fraternities who have made the commitment to be "Substance/Alcohol Free" in all of their facilities.

Advisors
Chapter
IFC (Intrafraternity Council)
NIC (National Intrafraternity Council)
NPC (National Panhellenic Conference)
PH (Panhellenic Council)
Rush
Sororities / Fraternities

Advisors
Alumni/ae who provide experience guidance to collegians.

Chapter
The individual Greek units which are local affiliates of a national or international organization.

IFC (Intrafraternity Council)
The governing body composed of representatives from the fraternities on campus.

NIC (National Intrafraternity Council)
A council of men's fraternities that promotes friendship, high standards of conduct and scholarship.

NPC (National Panhellenic Conference)
A council of women's fraternities that promotes friendship, high standards of conduct and scholarship.

PH (Panhellenic Council)
The governing body composed of representatives from the sororities on campus.

Rush
The mutual selection process by which 'rushees' (prospective members) and a Greek organizations' members get to know each other.

Sororities / Fraternities
Groups based on mutually held ideals which enrich the college experience and continue for a lifetime.