Parents
The University of Michigan has one of the oldest, largest, and strongest Greek communities in the nation. Opportunities for friendship, scholastic support, leadership, and service are numerous and significant. As a parent of one of Michigan’s fraternity or sorority members or prospective members, we want you to understand what Greek membership entails and how parents may become involved. Much of your student’s education will occur outside of the classroom, and Greek membership can be a positive force that makes college life not only more enjoyable but more enriching. Parents have a wide range of understanding about Greek life, and even if you are a member of a Greek organization yourself, there are many differences from campus to campus and many changes that have occurred over the years. It’s important that if you have questions or concerns relative to your student’s organization or Michigan’s Greek Community in general, you can easily find answers or express those concerns.
Becoming a Member will answer your questions if you have student who may be interested in joining a fraternity or sorority.
If you know the council with which your student’s organization is affiliated (Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Panhellenic Association), you may find the information you need by clicking on that council. If you don’t know the council, you will find a listing of all organizations by clicking on Fraternities and Sororities.
Questions about activities specific to a certain chapter (i.e. move-in dates or other housing issues, parents’ weekend, chapter bills, etc.) should be directed to the chapter president. You can access the contact list of all presidents by clicking on Fraternities and Sororities. This will also direct you to the local and inter/national web sites for each organization. If you are uncomfortable discussing an issue with a student, the staff at the Office of Greek Life can direct you to an alumni advisor or the inter/national headquarters.
If you have a concern about activities that are taking place in your son or daughter’s organization, www.umich.edu/~nohazing is a University of Michigan web site with extensive information on hazing. The University of Michigan and Greek Life have strong anti-hazing stances, and this web site contains actual policies as well as numerous resources. There are ways to express your observations and concerns confidentially if you choose, and we encourage you to do so.
If you are a parent new to Greek Life, you may want to discuss the following questions with your son or daughter about the organization he/she has joined:
- How does the chapter’s grade point average compare to the All-Greek and All-University averages?
- What does the chapter do to promote scholastic achievement?
- Are chapter members able to articulate the values upon which their organization was founded?
- How much time is spent on Greek-related activities? Is this time mandatory or optional?
- Of what does the new member (pledge) program consist?
- Are new members (pledges) treated the same as active (initiated) members? Do they have the same privileges?
- What are the financial obligations, and what is included?
- Is there a special weekend for parents or other activities to which parents are invited?
- If the chapter has a house, what features does it offer, and how is it maintained?
- How long is a member expected to live in the chapter house?
- Are there alumni who are actively involved in chapter and house management?
- In what ways does the chapter contribute to the larger Greek Community?
- What type of programming does the chapter offer (i.e. career networking, alcohol and other drug education)?
- Does the chapter participate in intramural sports?
- What risk management procedures does the chapter implement to ensure safety at social events?
- What opportunities are there for leadership development? Do members participate in other campus organizations?
- Is the chapter part of an inter/national organization that has oversight?
- Has the chapter been sanctioned by its council or inter/national organization for misconduct? Is it on a probationary or other special status?
- Is the chapter a member of one of the four Greek councils? If not, why not?
- Is the chapter registered with the University? (see studentorgs.umich.edu/sal )
Once students have chosen their fraternity or sorority, a period of new member education often referred to as “pledging” follows. This usually lasts six to eight weeks and is a time for students to further contemplate their choices. Hopefully, their experience will be positive, and “initiation” will begin lifelong membership. If, however, students feel membership has not met their expectations, they may choose not to be initiated.
To speak to a staff member in the Office of Greek Life, you can click on Office of Greek Life to determine which staff member with whom you wish to speak, or just call 734-936-3686.
