Sending a child to college can be a challenging and stressful time in a parent’s life. As a part of the Miami family we want to make sure you have all the information you need about your child getting involved in the Fraternity and Sorority Community at Miami. We feel it is important that you, the parent, be educated about the enriching experience that your sonor daughter will find by being involved in a fraternity or sorority at Miami.

Fraternity and Sorority Life at Miami University

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Cliff Alexander Office ofFraternity and Sorority Life and LeadershipMiami University356 Shriver CenterOxford, Ohio 45056–1846(p) 513.529.1462miamioh.edu/gogreek

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For 175 years, fraternities and sororities on our campus have

forged a rich heritage of tradition, history, success and pride.

This heritage benefits both our fraternity and sorority members

and the broader University community. Today, the University

hosts over 50 fraternity and sorority chapters. Each chapter is

committed to the Principles of the Fraternity/Sorority community:

Scholarship and Learning, Service and Philanthropy, Leadership

and Values, Community, and Brotherhood and Sisterhood.

Approximately one third of our Miami students are members

of the Fraternity/Sorority community, over 5,000 students.

Our members are involved in many of the University’s events,

programs, athletic, and student organizations.

Fraternities and Sororities Provide an Environment Where: • The principles, values and ideals of each organizations’ rituals are encouraged on a daily basis

• Personal health, well-being and safety are encouraged and promoted

• Academic achievement of the individual and the group is valued and rewarded

• The definition of what it means to be a member of a fraternity or sorority is inclusive of all Greeks at Miami

• The non-discrimination policy of the University is supported and enhanced

• The fraternity/sorority experiences enhances the quality of

the undergraduate collegiate experience

Joining a Fraternity or Sorority at Miami University is an important decision for your student and is one that you should be comfortable with as well. If your student joins a fraternity or sorority he or she will have the opportunity to develop both personally and professionally in a variety of ways. All aspects of Fraternity and Sorority Life at Miami University have been designed to enrich and enlighten students, in order to build better men and women through the fraternal experience.

Miami Fraternities and Sororities Stand OutBecoming a member of a fraternal organization will provide your child with a number of experiences that will help prepare them for not only a career, but for life after college.

Fraternities and Sororities Stand for Service Philanthropy & Service are fundamental tenants by which all fraternity and sorority students live. Miami University fraternities and sororities facilitate special events to raise money for local and national charities. The Fraternity/Sorority community participates in charity fundraisers such as March of Dimes and various national cancer awareness organizations. Students will have the opportunity to get involved in the Oxford community and develop a sense of civic responsibility. Believing in giving back to the community, your child will have numerous opportunities to participate in helping young children, the elderly, the disabled and their fellow citizens. Fraternity and Sorority men and women at Miami volunteer in the community through programs such as Adopt-A-School, which works in the local Talawanda School District, as well as with charities such as Ronald McDonald House, St. Judes Research Hospital, and Habitat for Humanity.

Fraternities and Sororities Stand For Leadership Learning to lead is one of the most beneficial components of joining a fraternity or a sorority. Chapter members have the opportunity to manage executive teams, serve on or chair committees, and manage annual budgets. Additionally, students will become role models for developing new members and will have the opportunity to lead and educate incoming chapter members as time progresses.

Fraternities and Sororities Stand Together Chapter members develop a unique bond of brotherhood and sisterhood that will last beyond collegiate years and will be nurtured by alumni activities and networking systems. Being in a Fraternity or Sorority does not stop at graduation. When someone joins, they are a life-long member. As such, they develop contacts and networks of people that can help them when looking for a job or when they need advice. With over 175 years of history to draw from, Miami’s Fraternity and Sorority community has an array of alumni who are there to serve as mentors for your son or daughter.

Fraternities and Sororities Stand for Excellence All Greek organizations expect each member to strive to fufill his/her

academic potential. The Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and each National Organization set minimum GPA standards. If a member falls below that standard, additional academic programs are designed and required for the student. Most chapters have an alumni advisor or faculty advisor whose focus is the academic success of each student in the chapter. Chapters recognize academic achievement through annual awards, scholarships, and various other forms of recognition.

During the Spring semester, the Interfraternity Council (IFC) for the men, and the Panhellenic Association (PHC) for the women, sponsor recruitment. It is a series of planned events that provide interested students the opportunity to visit each chapter and meet the members. Of the students that go through the formal recruitment about 75% join so placement is not guaranteed for all students. Our councils try their best to have a fair process for all students involved but placement is not guaranteed in these organizations if students do not maximize their options through the process. The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)chapters conduct intake on a individual chapter basis.

Once recruitment is over and a student has accepted an invitation to membership from a chapter, they become a “new member.” Each chapter has different rules, guidelines, and terms for this period that lasts about six to eight weeks. The student will spend time learning about the history of the fraternity or sorority, rules, and traditions. Once the new member period is over, they will be inducted into full membership.

Is your son or daughter interested in joining? Please make sure they register online at: miamioh.edu/gogreek.

What time commitment is involved in going Greek? The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter and student to student. The first semester is the most time intensive. New members participate in their chapter’s educational program, during which they develop leadership and time management skills, get acquainted with the new member class as well as the rest of the chapter, and become involved in Chapter activities and organizations. Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings, annual philanthropies, service projects, and chapter events. Chapter members are encouraged to become involved in campus activities and leadership positions inside and outside of the chapter while always remembering that academic commitments come first.

How about Safety? Hazing and Alcohol Policies: Miami has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing that is consistent with Ohio state law. Hazing is prohibited by all sororities and fraternities at Miami University. All new fraternity and sorority members experience

a period of orientation upon joining an Organization in which they attend programs designed to enforce and teach students about Miami University’s policy. The staff in the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life work side by side with Oxford law enforcement, the Office of Ethics and Student Conflict Resolution and students in order to enforce alcohol and hazing policies. If you sense your student may be participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity or sorority, you should contact the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life.

Fraternity and Sorority Community members are expected to uphold Federal, State and City laws. They are also expected to follow policies of Miami University, Fraternity and Sorority Community councils, and those of their inter/national organizations. Sororities with chapter facilities are alcohol free, and many of the fraternities with off campus facilities are also alcohol free. Several educational programs are provided to new members, leaders, and the community in areas of alcohol use and abuse.

Cost of Fraternities and Sororities Membership?Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial commitment. Each chapter is self-supporting through the dues paid by each member every semester. Dues go toward inter/national fees, social functions, chapter operating expenses and educational programs and initiatives. While your son or daughter is going through the recruitment process, please make sure that he or she asks about the financial obligations of membership. For more information about cost, please visit miamioh.edu/gogreek and click on the parents section.

Sororities: Average cost is $500 for new members. Active member dues average $300 per semester.

Fraternities: Average cost is $460 for new members. Active member dues are $450 per semester.

Parent Involvement Most chapters in the Fraternity and Sorority Community plan a Mom’s Weekend and Dad’s Weekend, where parents are invited to visit their son or daughter and meet the chapter while participating in planned activities. Parents are encouraged to support their students throughout their entire experience at Miami University, especially in their child’s efforts in the Fraternity and Sorority Community.

Sorority Living Learning CommunitySorority women who live on-campus are required to participate in a sorority-centered learning community usually their second year. Overall Living Learning Community Outcomes:• Live out the five pillars of the Fraternity and Sorority Community—add values to leadership: Scholarship and Learning, Service and Philanthropy, Leadership, Community, and Brotherhood and Sisterhood

• Recognize the impact that various issues have on women

• Work to advance the position of women on campus

Fraternity Living Second year fraternity men may live in their respective fraternity house in lieu of the second-year on campus residency requirement if the house and individual student meet the fraternity housing exemption policy requirements. In order to be eligible to live in the fraternity house during one’s second-year, members must have above a 2.5 GPA and no significant judicial violations. For more information about violations, see the Student Handbook.

If your son lives in the house, there are room and board fees which are comparable to residence hall fees. The costs to live in the chapter houses vary depending on the chapter. Please encourage your son to ask about live-in cost when he goes through Recruitment.

I was not in a fraternity or sorority, how can I learn more about it? The following resources may be helpful: www.aslv.org www.npcwomen.orgwww.nicindy.org www.nphchq.org

Cliff Alexander Office ofFraternity and Sorority Life and LeadershipMiami University356 Shriver CenterOxford, Ohio 45056–1846(p) 513.529.1462miamioh.edu/gogreek

Join us for a Parents Informational SessionAugust 22nd 3:00pm Shriver Center, Heritage Room