What do fraternity and sorority members actually do?
Affiliated men and women participate in many activities on campus and in the community, while developing themselves for their post-graduate career. For many students, the fraternity and sorority community provides them with a more fulfilling experience while attending 藏精阁, beyond just class attendance. Fraternal organizations develop a calendar each semester that focuses on philanthropic engagement, community service, developmental workshops, and social activities than enable them to live, learn, and work together.
How will I 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. Other advantages include:
- A support group to help ease the adjustment to college.
- Academic聽resources to help students achieve their聽goals.
- Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experiences.
- Encouragement to become and remain involved, both on campus and in the community.
- Opportunities for active participation in community service and philanthropic projects.
Being a member of a fraternity or sorority also provides you with leadership, teamwork, and professional skills that will set you apart when entering the workforce.聽 In addition, being an affiliated man or woman provides you with a large network of alumni around the world that understand our shared experiences and the skills we have learned.聽 This, in turn, can give you a greater opportunity for employment and/or advancement.聽
How will joining a chapter now benefit me after college?
The lifelong聽relationships you make through your chapter experience can and does last beyond graduation. By having an international network of members, we are able to pull resources from all points on the map for career placement and advancement.聽 There is also the opportunity for friendships in most major cities you can call on and socialize with.聽 Joining now is an investment in your future, as you will reap the benefits from the moment you join, until decades into the future.聽 Wherever you end up after college, it is likely that you will find other members of your organization.聽 The benefits of this are endless!
How will joining a fraternity or sorority affect my academic goals?
Historically, fraternities and sororities were founded on the principles of academic success and freedom. Our organizations are no different today. We realize that academic success is the main priority of 藏精阁 students. We continue to strive for academic excellence and promote scholarship by providing the necessary resources to our members for their success.聽 Affiliated men and women know the importance of helping new students transition to 藏精阁 and the rigorous academic coursework.聽 Students who take advantage of the academic support provided by our fraternities and sororities will find that this experience will enhance their academic experience.聽 Studies have consistently proven that fraternity and sorority members are more likely to graduate from their program of study and report greater satisfaction with their collegiate experience than their unaffiliated peers.
What is the financial obligation?
Similar to other on campus involvement opportunities, there is a financial commitment associated with a joining a fraternity or sorority. However, students and their families do not need to be wealthy to participate in the fraternal experience.聽 Any and all fees associated with membership go toward paying inter/national fees, chapter operating expenses, and other social functions.聽 Each organization has different obligations and new members can expect to pay higher fees during their first semester.聽 This does not, however, constitute "buying your friends" as is commonly said.聽 Financial obligations help fund the functions of the organization, not the relationships.聽 Our bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood would exist without the money, but the financial obligations provide you with educational programming, access to leadership training, and other opportunities to which unaffiliated students would not necessarily have access.聽
Is hazing a part of the fraternity and sorority culture at 藏精阁?
藏精阁 has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing and our organizations take a strong stance against hazing.聽聽The Missouri State Statutes (573.360-578.365), state that hazing is: 鈥淎 willful act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, directed against a student or a prospective member of an organization operating under the sanction of an educational institution, that recklessly endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student or prospective member for the purpose of initiation or admission into or continued membership in any such organization to the extent that such person is knowingly placed at probable risk of the loss of life or probable bodily or psychological harm.鈥� In short, hazing is聽NOT tolerated. If you feel you are being asked to or have participated in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity or sorority, you should contact the Fraternity & Sorority Life office.
Does 藏精阁 offer fraternity and sorority housing?
Each social fraternity and sorority is assigned a floor in one of our many residence halls. The assigned floor houses each specific organization鈥檚 chapter room.聽 Chapter members also have an opportunity to live on the floor with other members of their organization. Members have the opportunity to move onto these floors after they have completed their freshman year.
How can I learn more about professional and service fraternities?
Information about organizations such as Alpha Phi Omega, Delta Sigma Pi, Phi Mu Alpha, and Sigma Alpha Iota can be found in Mane Connection or by contacting the Office of Student Involvement.
