Parents’ Guide to Fraternity and Sorority Life
- Greek Life in the 21st Century: An Overview
- Reasons Why You Student Should "Go Greek"
- Knowing the System and Learning the Language
- Joining a Greek Organization
- San Diego State University and the Greek Community
Joining a Greek Organization
Recruitment
The membership selection process occurs each semester, although some organizations only conduct membership drives in the fall semester. The Panhellenic Association (general sororities) have a "formal recruitment" process in the fall, which is a coordinated process for which registration is required involving all nine chapters. The other three councils have a more informal recruitment process in which each group selects its members independently; however, each council has a common recruitment period and recruitment orientation and informational events. All recruitment activities must be dry (i.e., no alcoholic beverages permited).
Minimum Requirements
Each semester students are offered a variety of opportunities to learn about and join Greek-letter organizations. To become involved, students either participate in recruitment (sometimes informally referred to as "rush") or attend informational/interest meetings. The University requires that all new members be regularly enrolled at SDSU in good academic standing. Most chapters have additional requirements regarding number of units and grade point average.
General Procedures
Recruitment is a "mutual selection" process, meaning that occasionally students and chapters do not receive their top choices. Parents should be prepared to discuss their student’s disappointment if a bid is not received.
Encourage your student to learn as much as thy can about the organization before making a commitment to join to ensure they have made the best choice.
New Member Education
Students become fully acquainted with the chapter and its members during the new member education process. In this period new members learn about their chapters, including the national organization structure (if applicable), values, expectations, traditioans and rituals. In addition, new members are required to attend educational sessions, sponsored by the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life, on topics including identifying and responding to hazing, making low-risk choices concerning alcohol and other drugs, and appreciating diversity. At any time before initiation, new members may "depledge" if they feel the organization is not right for them.
Hazing is strictly prohibited by San Diego State University. See the policies below for a more detailed definition of hazing. In addition, alcoholic beverages are not permitted at any new member function (initiation, new member retreats, big brother/big sister revealing, etc.).
Upon the successful completion of the new member education process, students will be initiated into the chapter. Initiation is the formal conferring of the chapter’s rights and privileges to a member. Once initiated, members of Greek chapters enjoy the rights and privileges, as well as the responsibilities, that come with affiliation.
Housing
All of the general fraternities and sororities and two culturally-based fraternites operate chapter houses adjacent to campus which provide the opportunity for small group living. Typically, the chapter house is owned and/or operated by a house corporation comprised of alumni. A new Fraternity Row complex housing eight chapters, managed by the SDSU Foundation, is opening in Fall 2002. Since the membership recruitment process occurs during the semester, new students should secure their own housing for the fall semester. Typically, freshmen live on-campus in residence halls, and many then move into fraternity and sorority houses their second year (residence hall contracts are on an annual basis).
Each chapter that operates a chapter house sets its own requirements for members to live in the house. Each chapter also establishes its room and board rates and house rules. Most residential sororities employ a live-in house director to oversee the house operations. Most residential sororities and one residential fraternity offer meal programs for members.
Financial Obligations
Given the benefits provided, Greek membership is a bargain; however, students should consider the costs in planning their personal budgets. On average, the per semester cost for a sorority member to live in the chapter house is $3000 per semester, including room, board, and all dues and fees. (For comparison purposes, the cost of room and board in an on-campus residence hall, with a comparable meal plan is about $4250 per semester.) Dues and assessments for members of residential sororities who live out of the house total about $750 per semester. In addition, there are one-time initiation and house fund assessments which average $400 which are paid during the first semester. For residential fraternities, the average rent (excluding meals) is $1500 per semester for traditional style housing and $2450 per semester for apartment-style housing, and dues and fees average $450 per semester ($350 for the initial semester). The average total of the one-time fees paid during the first semester (initiation, etc.) for residential fraternities is $350. The average semesterly dues for USFC organizations are approximately $180, with an average one-time initiation fee of $100. The average semesterly dues for NPHC groups is $50 per semester, with an average one-time initiation fee of $300. During the recruitment process, students are strongly encouraged to request information regarding specific chapter costs and the timetable for payment.