Coming to college is one of the major life changes that your student will go through. Joining a fraternity or sorority can help make the transition easier. Developing life-long friendships with the members in their chapter helps make the campus smaller. For many members, these chapters become a home away from home. In addition to the brother/sisterhood, every chapter promotes the values of enhancing leadership, scholarship, philanthropy/service, and financial responsibility in their members.
Top 4 Reasons to Encourage Your Student to Join Sorority & Fraternity Life
Academics - Studies indicate that more students in sororities and fraternities stay in school through graduation than do unaffiliated students; SFL organizations at UC Irvine promote academic achievement through such activities as honor societies, academic mentors, speakers, networking, and alumni career advising.
Community Building - Members of SFL organizations have numerous opportunities to form lasting connections to friends, alumni, faculty and staff to create their home away from home.
Personal development - Each member is encouraged to participate actively in their chapter, as well as in the SFL governance system and other campus-wide leadership activities.
SFL Orgs Give Back - Members support the UC Irvine community through various service and philanthropic projects which promotes unity and develops responsibility, appreciation for differences, empathy, and other critical skills needed for future success.
But what about...
Hazing
No chapter, interest group, student or alumnus shall conduct nor condone hazing activities. Permission or approval by a person being hazed is not a defense.
Hazing activities are defined as:
Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol, paddling in any form, creation of excessive fatigue, physical and psychological shocks, quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste, engaging in public stunts and buffoonery, morally degrading or humiliating games and activities, and any other activities which are not consistent with academic achievement, fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution or applicable state law.
Social Aspect
There is a social aspect to the Sorority & Fraternity Community and these "social" events include education programs/workshops, community service events, intramural sports, homecoming, and dinner exchanges in addition to parties and socials.
Nationwide, sorority & fraternity organizations have adopted a stringent approach to socializing thereby creating a safer, more beneficial environment for all its members. Each governing council have a risk management and alcohol policy to ensure safe behavior by its members and visiting guests. In addition to this, each SFL organization may have national rules that members but adhere to when hosting its social events. During the year, chapters may also sponsor education on alcohol misuse and more.
Time Commitment
The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter but the first quarter can be the most time intensive as the new member goes through the chapter's education program. The time spent in this program will give your student the opportunity to develop their leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of the organization, develop friendships, and allow them to become involved with other organizations. After the initiation into the chapter, expectations will vary. Traditionally, each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other events (philanthropies, service, and initiation) throughout the year, but they are planned well in advance. In addition to weekly meetings, the more your student puts into the chapter, the more they will get out of being a member.
