Greek Life Information for Parents and Families

On this page:

• Welcome
• Parents Role
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Myths and Stereotypes
• Reports

Welcome

See below for a Greek Parent Orientation video from LaunchPoint on Vimeo.

Welcome, Parents and Family, to Greek life at Wright State University!

Greek life plays a central role in vibrant campus life at Wright State--part of a complete university experience that prepares our graduates with the knowledge, skills, and cultural and social competency to lead and succeed in a rapidly changing world.

I know this first hand as I, too, had the opportunity to be part of Greek life. That experience led to rewarding and lifelong friendships—both personal and professional.

At Wright State, we welcome your role as a partner in your student’s educational experience. Your support is essential in helping your student tap into all the resources the university offers to help them succeed in college and in life.

Greek life at Wright State offers wonderful opportunities for your student to have fun and grow in a diverse academic and student environment, rich in programs and activities that foster academic achievement, community engagement, and leadership development.

From our award-winning faculty, state-of-the-art classrooms, and innovative and cutting-edge research and academic programs, Wright State has been transforming the lives of students since it was founded over 50 years ago.

I invite you to investigate all that Wright State has to offer your student, including the many opportunities that Greek life provides.

Thank you for your interest in Greek life at Wright State. And all the best to you and your student on an exciting and successful college career.

Gina Keucher
Program Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life

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Parents Role

• Students need support throughout the process of recruitment/intake and new member education. Be supportive and involved by learning as much as you can about Greek life by asking questions of your student as he or she meets members in fraternities and sororities.

• Keep an open mind . . . Greek life is not for everyone. Just because you may have been a fraternity or sorority member doesn't mean that it is the right choice for your son or daughter.

• To encourage your son or daughter to keep an open mind about each organization that they come into contact with. Fraternities and sororities are different on every campus. Let your son or daughter choose the group that he or she feels the most comfortable joining.

• Talk to your son or daughter beforehand about the financial obligation. Determine who will pay for what and where the limits are.

• Encourage your student to keep an open mind throughout the recruitment process. Understand that the fraternity/sorority recruitment is based on a mutual selection process, and students may not always become members of their ‘first choice’ fraternity or sorority. Students can find academic, social, and service opportunities in any and all of our Greek organizations.

• Do not become overly involved in the sorority and fraternity recruitment/intake process; this is your son or daughter's decision. There will be plenty of activities and events for you to attend or even help plan once your student joins one of our organizations!

• Too often, parents do not allow their students to "fight their own battles." It helps the student mature and gain some assertiveness when allowed to call various offices if they have questions or concerns about their decision to go Greek.

• Keep the Student Involvement and Leadership contact information on hand. If you have any questions or concerns about Greek Life at Wright State University feel encouraged to contact our office.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Myths and Stereotypes

Dispelling myths about Greek life

Greek organizations have touched millions of lives throughout their 200+ years of existence in American higher education. Fraternities and sororities have given innumerable students a sense of belonging, and they have helped to teach teamwork, interpersonal skills, self-control, the importance of being well rounded, and many other values. While undergraduates are the ones most directly affected by their involvement in Greek chapters, the relationships built within the framework of the Greek experience are still fostered and held dear by many people throughout their lives.

As society has changed, so has the role Greek organizations play in American society. Fraternities originally began as literary societies, but over time they developed into social living organizations. This transition brought many social changes for the undergraduates involved. More and more fraternities and sororities are placed in the spotlight and publicly criticized for various social problems.

This list answers many of the stereotypes about Greek life, and the information here will guide you to a better understanding of what the Wright State Greek community is doing to create a safer and more rewarding experience for its undergraduate members.

Stereotypes

Being a member of a fraternity or sorority takes up an unreasonable amount of time

It’s true that joining a fraternity or sorority requires a certain amount of time and dedication. However, the time and effort required are by no means enough to interfere with other time commitments or academic success. The Greek commitment begins during a new member or pre-initiation period when prospective chapter members are required to attend meetings or ceremonies to learn about their chapter’s history and values. Some chapters also administer written tests about chapter history and other information. This education serves a dual purpose: it gives prospective members enough information about their chapter to make an informed decision about whether or not to continue their participation, and it allows chapters to make informed decisions about whether or not to initiate the prospective members.

It’s a common misconception that joining a Greek community takes so much time that academic performance suffers and participation in other extracurricular activities is impossible. It’s true that an active social calendar and other Greek programming do take up a certain amount of time, but it’s incorrect to assume that this time commitment is unbearable or unreasonable. At Wright State academics remain a top priority. This means that academic commitments preclude any other time commitments. Members of the Greek community are not required to attend any event, program, or meeting that might conflict with academic requirements.

Students with good time management skills can participate in a Greek chapter and still maintain their grades and involvement in other activities. Varsity athletes, members of the pep band, ROTC students, theatre and dance majors, and nursing and pre-med or engineering majors are just a few examples of students with large time commitments who regularly join the Wright State Greek community. Remember, the extracurricular programming in the Greek system is available and beneficial, but certainly not required.

Being a part of a Greek organization is more expensive than other organizations

Many people outside the Greek community actually refer to this belief by saying that “Greeks buy their friends.” They assume that all fraternity and sorority members are rich and that the cost of Greek life is out of reach for many students.

There are costs associated with membership in a Greek organization, but these costs are reasonable considering the benefits. Benefits include scholarship opportunities provided only to members, leadership training for members, insurance coverage to the chapter, and to cover the costs of the National Organization. The fees will likely be higher during the quarter you join, but these fees often cover costs associated with the membership badge and a subscription to the national magazine. The fees vary from chapter to chapter and many offer payment plans. Be sure to ask each chapter about the required fees during recruitment.

Greeks are elitist, racist, and sexist

It’s easy for a person to make rash assumptions and judgments about things he or she is not familiar with. Unfortunately, the terms “elitist, racist, and sexist” are very grave accusations, and to stereotype Greeks as having prejudices is unfair and incorrect. These stereotypes are especially inapplicable to Wright State’s Greek community, as steps are taken on a regular basis to reach out to the campus and community. The Wright State Greek community welcomes people of all backgrounds and actively educates all members about the importance and value of diversity.

Many people argue that because fraternities only recruit men and sororities only recruit women that the two institutions are sexist. What these people fail to realize is that federal law exempts fraternities and sororities from Title IX guidelines. Greek chapters are social living organizations and are therefore not required to be coeducational. Wright State fraternities and sororities interact on a regular basis, and the Greek community sponsors educational programs on sexual harassment, abuse, and acquaintance rape annually.

Hazing is a reality among fraternities and sororities

Hazing is the most publicly feared concept associated with Greek life today. These fears are justified because hazing is easily the most dangerous and destructive practice an organization can take part in. Although many people automatically associate the term “hazing” with the idea of mistreating or abusing pledges or new members, any member can actually be a victim of hazing. Hazing can be defined as singling out an individual or group of people and forcing them to do something that is psychologically, physically, or emotionally harmful or damaging.

Greek organizations nationwide strive to eliminate hazing from their cultures through proactive approaches and strict enforcement of anti-hazing policies. Wright State University’s Student Involvement and Leadership and collaborative partners strive to provide quality anti-hazing programming and education. Wright State students can be assured of a safe and rewarding experience in a Wright State fraternity or sorority. Should you ever have any concerns about your son or daughter's experience, please contact Gina Keucher, Program Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life immediately (937) 775-5560 or gina.keucher@wright.edu.

Greek chapters encourage binge drinking and drug abuse among their members

The movie Animal House has had a profound impact on the beliefs of many Americans about Greek life. But the stereotypical party atmosphere in the movie is not a reality—and certainly not the norm. Because Greek chapters comprise the largest student organizations nationwide, Greek communities are constantly in the media spotlight. Social problems such as binge drinking and drug use occur in nearly every facet of society, but their presence is magnified in fraternities and sororities.

Each Wright State chapter is required to abide by federal, state, and university policies on drugs and alcohol. Numerous programs are in place to educate and help to minimize the role that drugs and alcohol play within the Greek community. Detailed risk management policies outline the required steps to be taken to minimize liabilities and dangers at social events. Annual programming sponsored by the Student Involvement and Leadership and collaborative partners, as well as each chapter’s microprogramming, has aided in greatly reducing the influence of drugs and alcohol at Wright State.

The Animal House/ Hollywood/TV image is true

In the 1980s the movie Animal House, starring John Belushi, became a smash hit. The movie’s satirical depiction of the wild side of fraternity life—binge drinking, widespread hazing, sexual harassment, wild toga parties, open drug use, and substandard living conditions—became the American public’s perception of Greek life. As the movie grew in popularity, sororities and fraternities nationwide saw a huge downturn in recruitment numbers.

This trend is still seen today. Almost every year the number of Greek chapters shrinks and the number of new initiates dwindles. Unfortunately, much of the poor public perception encouraged by Animal House is underserved in today’s Greek systems. Nearly every state in the nation has adopted an anti-hazing law. College campuses, Greek systems, national Greek organizations, and individual chapters have all taken strides to reduce hazing, drug and alcohol abuse, and liability through stricter rules and increased educational programming. Granted, there are still isolated incidents of hazing and alcohol-related deaths or injuries, but many institutions, especially Wright State University, are taking proactive stances to prevent these tragedies.

Joining a Greek organization inhibits academic performance

Admittedly, fraternities and sororities have moved away from their roots of purely academic organizations such as literary societies. However, the transition to social groups does not necessarily mean that academics were thrown out the window. In fact, the opposite is true at Wright State - the all-Greek GPA has been above the All-University average for over 14 years and counting and approximately 1/3 of our members are on the Dean's List! Undergraduates are attending the university to pursue an education, not membership in a Greek chapter.

This knowledge ensures an “academics first” attitude within the chapters. Academic performance is encouraged by both all-Greek programming and individual chapter policies. In general, each chapter has scholarship and new member education chairpersons who are responsible for maintaining academic success within the chapters. Study hours, academic accountability partners, and scholarship are a few examples of academic programming at the chapter level.

Greek chapters are irresponsible because they do not answer to a higher authority

There is a common misperception that because Greek chapters are social organizations maintained by the undergraduates who are members of them, there is a complete lack of authority and control. Truth be told, an elaborate hierarchy of power is in place to ensure the success and safety of undergraduate members.

Each fraternity and sorority has the opportunity to hold a number of leadership positions. Each officer has a set of duties he or she is responsible for completing. Chapters may also utilize a committee system to assist the officers in their duties.

The executive council of officers within each chapter must then answer to several outside bodies:

• Fraternity & Sorority Council (FSC), National Pan-Hellenic (NPHC), Interfraternity (IFC), and College Panhellenic Council (CPH) executive councils act as governing bodies for the fraternity and sorority chapters. These executive councils are comprised of seven or eight experienced officers who are elected by the presidents of each fraternity or sorority. The executive councils develop and enforce policies within the Wright State Greek community.
• Each Chapter’s Alumni/ae Advisory Board is made up of Chapter Alumni/ae who volunteer their time to advise the chapter. These Alumni/ae make sure the Chapter is functioning properly and that the undergraduate members are acting safely and responsibly.
• Each chapter is sponsored and given its charter, or permission to operate, by a large national fraternity or sorority. These national organizations ultimately determine the status of their member chapters. (One chapter, Beta Phi Omega, is not a part of a larger national organization but has been on Wright State’s campus since Wright State’s first year. This chapter has an active Alumni Governing Board and is required to meet all policies of a national organization.) Therefore, all of Wright State’s chapters must meet certain guidelines and complete the appropriate paperwork required by their national organizations.
• And because Greek chapters are registered with Wright State as student organizations, they must also abide by university policies. These regulations are imposed by university administrators.
• The final and most stringent set of policies that Greek chapters must abide by our state and federal laws. In conclusion, there are many bodies in place to help maintain a safe and appropriate environment for members of the Greek community.

Fraternities and sororities do not foster leadership skills

There’s no shortage of leadership opportunities in the Wright State Greek community. Each individual chapter has elected officer positions each year, and Greek-wide leadership positions on the Fraternity & Sorority Council (FSC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), Interfraternity Council (IFC), and College Panhellenic Council (CPH) are also available.

Another great resource for developing leadership abilities is the abundance of role models and mentors who share their experiences and knowledge with younger members. Also, Greek community members have access to leadership programs and resources provided by Student Involvement and Leadership.

Each year Student Involvement and Leadership honors student leaders on campus, many of our members are honored each year as Emerging, Advanced and Senior Leaders.

The Greek experience will not mold well-rounded individuals

This belief is without a doubt the most incorrect assumption about Greek life. Greek communities offer limitless opportunities for academic, leadership, social, and personal development.

• Academic
  Chapter members have access to older, more experienced students, mentors, and scholarship programming within their chapters. Wright State University values academic excellence, and this attitude is carried on within the Greek community through the credo “academics first.” Chapters understand that academic responsibilities take priority over all other programming or requirements.
• Leadership
  You’ll find leadership positions in each chapter, within the Greek community, and across the entire university. Greeks are exposed to mentors and role models in every facet of Greek life. Members of the Greek Community have access to leadership programs and resources provided by Student Involvement and leadership.
• Social
  An active social calendar helps members of the Greek community to finetune interpersonal skills. Constant interaction with members of their own and other chapters helps members to network and build long-lasting friendships.
• Personal
  Individuals learn important lessons about themselves from experiences in the Greek community. They can discover their own strengths and weaknesses and learn how to utilize their talents for the future. Time management skills, the importance of cultural diversity, and interpersonal skills are all covered by speakers, roundtable discussions, and other programming sponsored by the Wright State Greek community.

Joining a chapter eliminates the ability to develop friendships with other students on campus

This belief is absolutely false. Interaction with students in and out of the Greek community occurs all the time. Friends are made in the classroom and in all types of extracurricular activities, and the list goes on and on. Many members of the Wright State Greek community made lots of friends while living in either the residence halls or in off-campus apartments. And most students maintain strong friendships with students from high schools or hometowns—whether or not they join a fraternity or sorority.

To foster an inclusive atmosphere, Wright State's Greek community has taken huge strides in planning campus-wide events. Chapter philanthropies and Homecoming festivities have all been designed to include the entire Wright State student body and surrounding community.

Parents can’t be involved in their student’s Greek experience

Each Wright State fraternity and sorority plans events to involve the families of chapter members. Chapters may host a Dad’s Weekend, Mom’s Weekend, Sibling’s Weekend, or Family Weekend. Keep in mind that individual chapters are responsible for planning their own events, so it might be important to ask chapters about these events. In addition, most chapters keep family members up to date on chapter news through newsletters or other means.

Joining a fraternity or sorority does not offer any advantages over other collegiate activities

Many people outside the Greek community do not see the wealth of opportunities available through fraternities and sororities. They’re wrong.

Academic resources—such as older undergraduates, study hours, study groups, and friends to keep students academically accountable—are not in short supply. Leadership skills are fostered through chapter offices, university leadership positions, and many role models and mentors. A planned social calendar aids in developing interpersonal skills, a network of friends and resources, and lifelong friendships. The Greek experience also offers community service opportunities.

Greek life also offers a network of Alumni/ae throughout your lifetime. Being a part of a Greek organization offers a lifetime bond that is not likely to be found in other campus organizations.

New members are not allowed to participate in chapter decision making

It is generally believed that new or prospective members of Greek living organizations are allowed no input whatsoever, that they are treated as inferiors, and that they are subservient to active chapter members. In reality, new members are the foundation of any Greek chapter. They can make or break chapter success depending on the effort, heart, and soul they put into their chapter.>

Different fraternities and sororities use different programs to prepare their new members for initiation. Some chapters utilize a new member system. This system is designed around the idea that new members will learn and grow the most in a close-knit group with other new members, or a new member class. New members are not allowed to vote in the chapter but are offered many opportunities to become active in their organization. For example, planning a community service project or becoming a committee member. While new members may not vote, they have a great deal of input in chapter events and decisions. In this particular system, new member class unity is believed to be the foundation of brotherhood and growth. Friendships and bonds are strongest among members of the same age and new member class.

A second type of new member education is called an associate program. New members are called “associates” because they are associating with the chapter prior to initiation. Associates have the same privileges as the active members of the chapter. Voting privileges and responsibilities are the same for all members, regardless of age or class. This system focuses on chapter-wide unity. Friendships and bonds are not necessarily stronger among members of the same age or class.

Each type of education program has its strengths and benefits. Regardless of format, this programming is vital to developing worthwhile and active chapter members.

Fraternities and sororities do not benefit their surrounding communities

By being in the public spotlight, Greek communities are often blamed for social problems and isolated tragedies, but rarely given the credit they deserve for positive contributions to their communities.

Each national fraternity and sorority has an established philanthropy (donated funds), or community service program (donated man/labor hours), that raises money for a charity of choice. These philanthropies are carried out by member chapters all over the nation. The community service programs are good for public relations, and they help with recruitment efforts, but above all they allow chapters to give back to the community. These nationally designed service projects make up only a small percentage of the actual service projects carried out by Greek communities. Wright State Greek undergraduates donated many hours and dollars to the surrounding community last year. Most of the time and money was donated at Chapter-initiated events and by individual volunteerism. These community service projects are fun and often double as social events because chapters regularly donate their time and energy to events sponsored by other chapters. In 2018 our Greek community performed over 32,000 hours of community service and raised just under $30,000 (not including money donated to Raiderthon).

This document modified from http://www.K-State.edu/greek/families/stereotypes.htm

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Reports

Please review the following for grade reports (per academic year)

2020–21

• Fall 2020 Report (PDF)
• Spring 2021 Report

2019–20

• Fall 2019 Report (PDF)
• Spring 2020 Report (PDF)

2018–19

• Fall 2018 Report (PDF)
• Spring 2019 Report (PDF)

2017–18

• Fall 2017 Report (PDF)
• Spring 2018 Report (PDF)

2016–17

• Fall 2016 Report (PDF)
• Spring 2017 Report (PDF)

2015–16

• Fall 2015 Report (PDF)
• Spring 2016 Report (PDF)