FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What kind of time commitment is required when joining a sorority or fraternity?
Membership in a Greek chapter requires from two to eight hours per week. Being part of a fraternity or sorority can be as time-consuming as the student chooses. Participation in some events, Spring Sing, Freshman Follies, and Varsity Review, take more time than other activities. Greek members learn time management early in their collegiate careers.
Do sororities and fraternities cost more than living in the residence halls?
While each individual chapter establishes its own fees, and the costs and services will vary from chapter to chapter, in a study of the 2006-2007 academic year completed in May 2007, the average expense was less to live in Greek housing. When room and board (15 meals per week) were compared between the averages of Greek chapters and single student housing provided by Residential Life, the average cost of Greek living was less than Residential Life housing. The average cost to live in a fraternity house $4,603, the average cost to live in a sorority house was $4,942, and the average cost to live in single student housing was $7,793. That comparison did not include new member or initiation fees. Likewise, it did not include any social, parlor, or house corporation fees. All of these expenses are subject to change; please ask for the most up to date information prior to making any decision.
Does financial aid cover any of these expenses?
Cash awards that students receive or are refunded by the OSU Bursar can be applied to room and board in the Greek chapter houses.
If my son is considering joining a fraternity should he go ahead and submit his residence hall housing deposit in case he changes his mind?
Absolutely! All freshmen are required to live in university-approved housing. It is important that he have his choice of housing on campus if he does choose to live in a Residential Life facility. Provisions are made for release from Residential Housing contracts if your student has the opportunity to move into a fraternity house.
If a person joins a fraternity or sorority and decides he or she doesn’t like it, can he or she join another one?
That depends on several factors. As long as the person has not been initiated into a chapter, there may be procedures to affiliate with another chapter. There will be a waiting period before that person can sign or affiliate with another chapter. That waiting period will vary based on gender and the circumstances surrounding the situation.
Is hazing a problem?
Oklahoma State University has very strict policies and the State of Oklahoma has laws against hazing. Additionally, the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council have adopted a governing document that speaks to the topic of hazing. When violations of the Hazing Code can be substantiated the responsible parties will be dealt with in a fast, firm, and fair manner.
Are there campus rules for living in a fraternity or sorority? What are the rules regarding alcohol?
Greek chapters are all considered “University approved housing”. As such, freshmen are allowed to live in them and they must be substance-free and provide a house director. All OSU students must conduct themselves according to the Students Rights and Responsibilities. Additionally, the Greek community, through the governing bodies of IFC and Panhellenic has additional policies and expectations of their memberships.
What is a house director?
A house director is a live-in adult, sometimes a graduate student, employed by the chapter house corporation. His or her duties vary from chapter to chapter. Generally, the house director serves as host or hostess for social events, supervises employed staff, counsels and works with members, and manages and maintains the house and kitchen. All sororities and fraternities with houses are required to have a house director.
What types of opportunities are there after college?
Joining a fraternity or sorority is a lifetime commitment with lifetime benefits. Following graduation, members can find alumni groups from their organization all over the nation. These alumni groups offer the continuation of the friendship and experiences of Greek life.
Do you have additional questions?
Contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs by e-mail at gogreek@okstate.edu or by phone at (405) 744-5490.