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What are the advantages of becoming Greek?
Becoming Greek will provide your son with a number of experiences that will help him prepare for not only a career, but for life. These advantages include:
- Leadership Skills: Learn through participation in the chapter, getting involved in chapter and campus activities and by working with others on a regular basis.
- Academic Success: Provided through planned study sessions, partnering with older members of the chapter and hearing guest professors speak at meetings.
- Enduring Friendships and Alumni Contacts: Being Greek does not stop at graduation. When someone joins, they are a life-long member. As such, he develops contacts and acquaintances that can help him when looking for a job or when he needs advice. With more than 130 years of history to draw from, MU's Greek community has an array of alumni who are there to help.
- Developing a Sense of Civic Responsibility: MU Greeks volunteer thousands of hours within the Columbia community every year. Greeks believe in giving back to the community, and your son will have numerous opportunities to participate in helping young children, the elderly, the disabled and fellow citizens.
- It is Fun: The most immediate benefit for your son is the activities and events sponsored by the chapter. Whether it is a Barbeque before a football game or a parents' weekend, your son will be around a group of students who know how to enjoy themselves responsibly. Central Missouri is ripe with outdoor recreational activities and there are always groups of Greeks going skiing, canoeing, hiking or bicycling.
National studies conducted annually consistently indicate that students who choose to join Greek-letter organizations experience many positive benefits, including the following:
- Greek students are more likely to stay in college than other students.
- Alumni members achieve success. College graduates who belong to a fraternity tend to be more financially successful than other college graduates.
- Greek alumni give more money to their Alma Matters, both more often and in greater quantity than non-Greek alumni.
- Greek students are more active on campus and in community activities. Upon graduation, these members are also more likely to get involved in volunteer and charitable organizations.
What about grades?
Academics are a top priority for fraternities. Greek students consistently garner higher GPA's as compared with non-Greek students.
What about hazing?
Undoubtedly, you've heard about hazing in the media. The University of Missouri and our international fraternity have a strict anti-hazing policy.
What about alcohol?
The days of open keg parties at Greek social functions are gone. The University of Missouri is a socially dry campus. MU's Greek community is on the cutting-edge of the alcohol issue with its Dry2K policy. The Greek community has instituted this alcohol policy to ensure the responsible use of alcohol.
What are living conditions like in Greek houses?
The Greek houses at MU are homes. Each house has a living room or common area, multiple bathrooms, expansive kitchens and dining rooms. Most have computer and study facilities. Most chapters have a live-in house parent that runs the kitchen and house. All houses provide meal plans or employ cooks. However, the comforts of home are not what make the Greek houses homes - it is the brotherhood that flourishes in an environment that promotes learning and friendship.
Who is actually in charge?
Students elect their own chapter officers from their membership. These officers deal with the day-to-day operations of the organization. Each member learns cooperation and planning skills. Alumni act as advisors to the officers and general chapter members. The house is owned by a "House Corporation" and oversees the monies, rent collection and bill paying. The house has a housefather who runs the kitchen and house. The fraternity is governed by the international headquarters, which establishes the chapter regulations and offers advice and direction through professional staff that visit the chapter each semester. Additionally, the University employs a Coordinator of Greek Life, who works directly with the governing Greek councils, as well as the individual chapters, as needed.
How much does it cost?
You may have heard the cliche about Greeks "buying their friends." Nothing is farther from the truth. Like any international organization, there are bills to pay and cost to membership. When your son becomes a new member, there is a fee paid to the international headquarters. There are also monthly dues. When it is time to become a full member, there is a one-time fee to be paid to the international headquarters that covers the cost of their badge, certificate and certain other items. These fees go to keep the chapter, house and international organization running. Without them, the chapters could not function. While your son lives in the fraternity house, there are room and board fees that are on average less than the residence halls fees.
How do you become a member?
The chapter offers an invitation to membership and the student accepts, becoming a "new member" or "pledge."
The student will spend his one semester pledgeship learning about the history of the fraternity, its rules and traditions. Once the pledge period is over, he will be inducted into full membership
What is my role as a parent?
As a parent, you can be supportive of your son's efforts to join a chapter. Learn as much as you can about the fraternities at MU. Many groups provide written statements concerning activities, finances and policies. Participate in chapter-sponsored events for alumni and parents and come to homecoming if possible. Many fraternities also host parent weekends and have parents clubs associated with their chapters, which provides an opportunity for you to learn about the activities in which your son is participating, and to stay involved in your son's college experience. These organizations also provide parents with an opportunity to meet each other.
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