Information for Parents

F.A.Q. | Recruitment Information | Hazing Policy | Greek Alphabet

Welcome Parents to the EMU Greek Life Page. Your son or daughter is about to enter one of the most exciting challenging years of their life. As an Eastern Michigan University Student they are given the opportunity to become involved in many activities offered by Greek Life.

Sorority and Fraternity life provides excellent opportunities for college students to find a home away from home, develop leadership skills, enhance academics, and create a sense of belonging to the university.

Each chapter offers a student a chance to get hands-on experience in leading committees, managing a budget, organizing and facilitating educational programs, and participate in community service projects.

The Office of Student Organizations and Greek Life, wants to make sure that as a parent you know the benefits of joining a fraternity or sorority. Our collection of 30 Greek-letter organizations, with nearly 600 students, is our Greek community. Chances are there is a fraternity or sorority that is right for your son or daughter.

F.A.Q.:

What is Greek Life?

Greek Life means being a member or a community of fraternities (men) and sororities (women) who use letters from the Greek alphabet for their names. These organizations are selective and have a long history with the university. Greek organizations were created as a place to foster academic, community service, and social formats which are unique to each chapter.

What kind of community service and philanthropies do Greek organizations participate in?

One of the most gratifying aspects of Greek Life at Eastern Michigan University is the sense of satisfaction and pride that comes with involvement in community service. Fundraising events of many kinds are organized each year by fraternities and sororities in order to benefit worthwhile charities. Such projects help build moral character through the realization of needs of people who are less fortunate. Each year, individual chapters participate in community service projects ranging from walking to find a cure for breast cancer, or participating a four square tournament to benefit Saint Jude's Children Hospital. Helping others will undoubtly be one of the most rewarding experiences a student in a fraternity or sorority will have in college.

What impact does Greek Life have on academics?

Most social Greek-letter organizations were formed as academic or community service societies with a deep belief in having members excel within the classroom. However, becoming a new member in a Greek-letter organization does take time and students need to be able to balance the rigors of affiliating with an organization and classroom responsibilities. Students should ask about the time involved with being a new member in different organizations during Recruitment and make sure they can balance their academic needs along with involvement responsibilities prior to join these organizations.

What are the financial obligations involved with Greek Life?

While the costs involved in being a member of a Greek chapter vary it is important to know that each organization does collect dues and some have initiation costs as well. The price of membership can vary depending on if an organization is local or national, if they have a house or not and depending on their involvement with community service and chapter events. It is important to ask about costs prior to accepting a bid.

What about hazing?

In accordance with Eastern Michigan University student code of conduct, hazing is defined as any action or activity committed by either active members, associate members or pledges of an organization which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; which may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person, regardless of location, intent or consent of participants. Also defined as any action or situation which intentionally or unintentionally endangers a student who is attempting admission into or affiliation with any student organization. Any individual and/or organization found guilty of hazing will be subject to a minimum penalty of suspension. The campus policy on hazing is available to all students in their student handbooks.

Where can I go to learn more?

Contact the Office of Campus Life at (734) 487-3045
Contact Greek Life at gogreek@emich.edu

Did you know?

- Students who join fraternities and sororities are 28% more likely to return to school the following year than students who choose not to join a fraternity or sorority.*
- Following graduation, Greek-affiliated alumni have higher average incomes than non-Greek alumni. Even when accounting for parents’ education levels, graduation year, and gender, students who were affiliated with fraternities and sororities have significantly higher average incomes following graduation.*
- Many Greek organization members are employed outside the classroom to help finance their education.
- There are over 400 leadership positions in the Greek community alone.

**All information is conducted by the Center for Advanced Social Research at the University of Missouri.

Recruitment Information:

NPHC-The National Pan-Hellenic Council at Eastern Michigan University is the umbrella organization for 8 active chapters of African American fraternities and sororities. Their new member process is called "Membership Intake" and varies throughout the academic school year depending on guidelines set by each individual organization. For chapter contact information, check out their council link on the Greek Life website.

IFC-With Similar timing guidelines as the above new members process the Inter-Fraternity Council has an "Open Recruitment" process that varies from chapter to chapter also. This council is represented by both national and local fraternities that select new members in both Fall and Winter semesters.

NPC- The National Panhellenic Council is constructed of 9 sororities, both national and local. All the chapters that fall under this umbrella organization have a formally structured recruitment process that take place in the Fall of each school year. To sign up for formal recruitment of get more information about the sororities in this council check out their council link on the Greek Life Website. Sororities also have open recruitment throughout the year.

Hazing Policy:

Any action or activity committed by either active members, associate members or pledges of an organization which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; which may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person, regardless of location, intent or consent of participants. Hazing includes, but is not limited to:

• Interference with a student’s academic or work performance.
• Forced consumption of any food, alcohol, other drugs, or any other substance.
• Forced physical activity.
• Deprivation of food or sleep.
• Physical acts such as branding and paddling
• Requiring participation in any activity that violates University policies or any local, state or federal law.
• Other violations as outlined in the Inter Fraternity Council, Pan-Hellenic Council or National Pan-Hellenic Council Constitutions.

Greek Alphabet:

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