ending a child to college can be a challenging and stressful time in a parent's life. While in College your child will encounter many opportunities to become involved outside of their classroom experience. It is important that you, the parent, be educated about the enriching experience that your daughter will find by being involved in a sorority.

What is being involved in a sorority all about?

Knowing what you have seen on television and read in the local newspaper, the reality is that those are extreme cases of sorority life. What the media will not tell you as a parent is that there are many life-long benefits to membership in sororities. Membership in a sorority offers a small community of friends away from home. Additionally, national research has shown that involvement in fraternities and sororities increases students' chances of graduating from college. As a life-long member of a sorority, students are offered the opportunity to develop as leaders, serve the local community, and focus on academics, as well as their careers, by connecting with local alumni members of Greek organizations.

My child is considering joining a sorority, what advice should I give them?

Since joining a sorority is a lifelong commitment, and there is an expense associated with membership, it should be a joint decision between student and parent. Consider sitting down with your daughter and research all of the organizations that are available to join. Utilizing local chapter and national websites are a great, convenient way to gather information. Feel free to contact students who are currently involved and their parents and ask them about their experience. In most cases, both students and parents will speak candidly about their Greek involvement.

As an educated consumer, consider asking the following questions before your child joins a sorority:

	What is expected of sorority members?
	What leadership opportunities are available to students as both new members and active members?
	Does the chapter perform hands-on community service? If so, how often?
	Does the sorority require members to live in the facility (if housing is available)? If so, for how long?
	What is the quarterly/annual expense associated with membership? How does this vary as a new member?
	What type of member is the chapter looking for?
	What values does this organization promote?
	Is the organization officially recognized by the University? If not, why is this the case?

I am not Greek, how can I learn more about it?

Websites to take a closer look at:

	http://www.nicindy.org
	http://www.npcwomen.org/memorg.htm
	http://www.nphchq.org

What are the safety risks associated with membership in a or sorority?

It can be perceived that or sorority membership may compromise a student's safety and well-being. This certainly is not the case. In order to be recognized by the University, all Greek organizations are required to follow fairly strict alcohol and risk management policies. The policies are in accordance with the state law, and are enforced by both University administrators and members of sororities themselves. In addition, all organizations should have at least one alumni adviser and university faculty or staff liaison to assist and ensure that the chapter is promoting a safe environment for its members (both in and outside of the physical facility).

Hazing is both against university policy as well as state law. Hazing is defined as "Doing, requiring or encouraging any act, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation or continued membership or participation in any group, that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm or humiliation. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, use of alcohol, creation of excessive fatigue, and paddling, punching or kicking in any form" and will not be tolerated.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact us.