Sending a child to college can be a challenging and stressful time in a parent's life. While at North Dakota State University, your child will encounter many opportunities to become involved outside their classroom experience. It is important that you, their parent, be educated about the enriching experience that your son or daughter will find by being involved in a fraternity or sorority at North Dakota State University.
What is being involved in a fraternity or sorority all about?
Knowing what you have seen on television and read in the local newspaper, the reality is that those are extreme cases of fraternity and sorority life. What the media will not tell you as a parent is that there are many lifelong benefits to membership in fraternities and sororities. At such a large university like North Dakota State, membership in a fraternity or sorority offers a small community of friends away from home. Additionally, national research has shown that involvement in fraternities and sororities increases students' chances of graduating from college. As a member of a fraternity or sorority, students are offered the opportunity to develop as leaders, serve the local community, and focus on academics, as well as their careers, by connecting with local alumni members of Greek organizations.
My child is considering joining a fraternity or sorority, what advice should I give them?
Since joining a fraternity or sorority is a lifelong commitment and there is an expense associated with membership, it should be a joint decision between student and parent. Consider sitting down with your son or daughter and research all of the organizations that are available to join. Utilizing local chapter and national websites are a great, convenient way to gather information. Feel free to contact students who are currently involved and their parents to ask them about their experience. In most cases, both students and parents will speak candidly about their Greek involvement.
As an educated consumer, consider asking the following questions before your child joins a fraternity or sorority:
* What is expected of fraternity/sorority members?
* What leadership opportunities are available to students as both new members and active members?
* Does the chapter perform hands-on community service? If so, how often?
* Does the fraternity/sorority require members to live in the facility (if housing is available)? If so, for how long?
* What is the semester/annual expense associated with membership? How does that vary as a new member?
* What type of member is the chapter looking for?
* What values does the organization promote?
What are the safety risks associated with membership in a fraternity or sorority?
It can be perceived that fraternity or sorority membership may compromise a student's safety and well-being. This certainly is not the case at North Dakota State University. In order to be recognized by the University, all Greek organizations are required to follow fairly strict alcohol and risk management policies. The policies are in accordance with the state laws of North Dakota, and are enforced by both North Dakota State University administrators and members of fraternities and sororities themselves. In addition, all organizations should have at least one alumni adviser and university faculty or staff liaison to assist and ensure that the chapter is promoting a safe environment for its members (both in and outside of the physical facility).