| A Parent's Guide to Greek Life at Ohio State
Sending a child to college can be a challenging and stressful time
in a parent's life. While at Ohio State, your child will encounter
many opportunities to become involved outside of their classroom
experience. It is important that you, the parent, be educated about
the enriching experience that your son will find by being
involved in a fraternity at Ohio State.
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 life-long benefits to membership in fraternities.
At such a large university like Ohio State, membership in a fraternity
offers a small community of friends away from home. Additionally,
national research has shown that involvement in Greek life increases
students' chances of graduating from college. As a life-long member
of a fraternity, 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,
what advice should I give them?
Since joining a fraternity 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 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 and 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:
• What is expected of fraternitymembers?
• 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 require members to live in the facility
(if housing is available)? If so, for how long?
• What is the quarterly/annual expense associated with membership? How does
this vary as a new member?
• What type of member is the chapter looking for?
• What values does this organization promote?
• Is the organization officially recognized by the University? If not, why
is this the case?
• What is the time commitment?
I am not Greek, how can I learn more about it?
Websites to take a closer look at:
What are the safety risks associated
with membership in a fraternity?
It can be perceived that fraternity membership may compromise
a student's safety and well-being. At Ohio State, we are committed
to having this not be the case. 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 law of Ohio, and are enforced by both Ohio
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).
Hazing is both against university policy as well
as state law. Hazing is defined as "Doing, requiring or encouraging any act, whether
or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation
or continued membership or participation in any group, that causes
or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm
or humiliation. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, use
of alcohol, creation of excessive fatigue, and paddling, punching
or kicking in any form" and will not be tolerated. Both chapters
and individuals members sign off stating they understand these rules
and regulations and will not partake in any form of hazing. If you
or someone you know is aware of any violations against these regulations,
please contact the Greek
Life staff immediately. |
