Parents

Welcome Parents!

Fraternities and sororities are groups of men and women who come together to form a personal network of individuals with similar ideas, interests and a mutual respect for one another. They desire to create meaningful experiences in their pursuit of a well-rounded college education. Greek lettered organizations have been a part of the College of Charleston community for over a century.

Sororities and fraternities are established with founding principles that foster:

  • academic achievement
  • student involvement
  • community service
  • and lifelong friendships.

Some of the advantages of fraternity or sorority membership include:

  • A support group to help make the adjustment to college easier.
  • Minimum standards for membership that promote accountability and responsibility.
  • Resources to help students achieve their academic goals.
  • Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experiences and participation.
  • Active participation in meaningful service projects and opportunities to help others.
  • Valuable interaction with alumni and advisors who are professionals that volunteer their time and talent to help guide chapter operations.

The following is a list of suggestions that may ease your student’s transition to fraternity/sorority membership

  • Be happy and supportive with your student’s choice to join a fraternity or sorority and the organization that he/she chooses.
  • Remember that this is your student’s choice, and he/she should choose the chapter that feels right, regardless of legacies or family history.
  • If you have a question about fraternity or sorority life, go to the source and ask the staff within the Higdon Center. Don’t buy into gossip or hearsay. We want you to have the best information possible. Our staff can be contacted at 843.953.6320.
  • Encourage your student to attend programs sponsored by the Higdon Center and other campus offices.
  • Know the names and phone numbers of the chapter president, new member educator, big brother/big sister and the chapter advisor.
  • Ask for details about the financial aspects of membership. Each chapter governs its finances individually. If you are paying, you deserve to know. Many one-time fees are paid in the first semester, so expect the first semester to be the most expensive.
  • Initiation is an important time for the new members. Be supportive and respectful of your student during this time. New member programs can range from one day to a full semester. However, most programs are six to eight weeks. Initiation dates are public to the new members, so please ask your student when initiation will occur.
  • Talk with your student! Phone calls, e-mails, letters and care packages are always appreciated.
  • Expect to see new T-shirts, photos and other Greek paraphernalia.
  • Encourage your student to be a part of the College community and take advantage of our numerous resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should my student join a Greek lettered organization?

At first glance, the college experience can seem overwhelming. The fraternity and sorority community gives students the chance to have a support network away from home. The individual chapter will become like a family, and friendships will last a lifetime. By choosing to become a member of a Greek lettered organization, your student will meet people who will grow to be close friends, people who will cheer your student on when he/she is successful and who will support him/her when the going gets tough. Fraternities and sororities promote the development of close ties between members through living, studying, working and having fun together. Members also meet new people through community service projects, participating in campus events and chapter events.

How can fraternity & sorority life help my student succeed academically?

Academic success is an important part of college life. One of the central purposes of fraternities and sororities is to promote academic excellence. Each organization requires members to maintain a minimum grade point average in order to remain an active member of the chapter. All chapters emphasize the value of academic success and will help their members achieve this success with scholarship programs, study halls, incentive programs and study buddies. Because the fraternity and sorority community puts so much emphasis on scholastics, it usually has a higher cumulative grade point average than the non-affiliated students, and has established the Order of Omega and Rho Lambda Honor Societies to recognize the outstanding members of our fraterntiy and sorority community.

Are fraternity and sorority students involved on campus?

Greek lettered organizations allow members the opportunity to expand and develop their leadership skills. Members of the fraternity and sorority community are represented in most campus groups and participate in a variety of campus and community events. As a fraternity or sorority member, your student will have the opportunity to become involved in a variety of organizations outside of his or her chapter including: the Interfraternity Council, the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Panhellenic Association.

Do fraternity and sorority members participate in community service?

Every year, fraternity and sorority students give thousands of hours of service to the community. Members donate time to help with a number of campus and local service projects. Fraternity and sorority students also sponsor fundraising activities for charitable organizations. Each fraternity and sorority chapter has its own national philanthropy, which it supports on an ongoing basis. Chapters have special events to raise money for their particular projects. Some of the projects that chapters are involved with include raising money for the Medical University of South Carolina, women with breast cancer and victims of domestic violence.

Does being a member of a Greek letter organization have benefits after graduation?

With the job market becoming increasingly competitive, a college degree no longer guarantees a successful career. In today's job market, it is not only important what your student knows, but who your student knows. When someone joins a fraternity or sorority, he/she not only becomes friends with the members of that chapter, but also begins building relationships with the families and friends of those members and alumni from all over the country. By joining a fraternity or sorority, a person can tap into an entire network of people, from which could possibly come a future employer, a spouse or a lifelong friend.

Does it cost a lot to be in a fraternity or sorority?

Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial commitment. Each chapter is self-supporting through dues paid by their members. When students join a Greek lettered organization, they also agree to pay dues and fees while in school to maintain membership. Although chapters may make accommodations for special needs, students should discuss the financial obligations with their parent(s) before deciding to join.

Does hazing still exist as part of the pledging process for fraternities and sororities?

The College of Charleston, as well as each national fraternity and sorority, has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing that is consistent with South Carolina state law. Hazing includes any activity that subjects members to harassment, ridicule, intimidation, physical exhaustion, abuse or mental distress. Hazing is contrary to the purposes of the fraternity and sorority community at the College of Charleston. Hazing is not tolerated. If you feel that you or someone you know is participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity or sorority, you should submit the Hazing Report Form.