Parents
We are happy your son or daughter has expressed interest in joining the Greek community at Oklahoma State University. Greek life at any university offers your son or daughter a “home away from home" providing friendship, academic support, leadership skills and opportunities for service all of which will assist your son or daughter in a successful future. OSU has a number of fraternities and sororities with unique qualities, well suited to each of its members. Your son or daughter will have no trouble choosing an organization to join.
If you have any more questions about Greek life, please contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs by e-mail at gogreek@okstate.edu or by phone at 405.744.5490.
Why should your son or daughter join a fraternity or sorority?
Greek grades are consistently higher.
Greek graduation rates are higher, both four-year and six-year rates.
Greeks comprise more than 53 percent of campus leadership positions.
Every All-University Intramural Champion has been Greek.
Greeks are extremely involved in OSU’s nationally recognized Homecoming celebration.
Greek alumni continue to be generous donors to the University.
FRIENDSHIP
At Oklahoma State University, fraternities and sororities enable young men and women to establish strong friendships that last far beyond their college years. Affiliation provides members with an opportunity to interact with other students of all ages, backgrounds and interests.
Members meet a diverse group of people within the Greek community and other student organizations. Membership offers a network of support while making the transition to college life.
ACADEMIC SUPPORT
Knowing the reason your son or daughter is at OSU is to get an education, the Greek community has made academics a top priority. Many chapters have an academic development program which enforces a strict academic policy that includes maintaining a respectable grade point average to participate in chapter activities. In addition, many of the chapter houses include quiet places to study as well as resource rooms or libraries complete with computers with online connections and copy/fax machines.
LEADERSHIP
The Greek community is strongly united and growing in numbers. On campus, Greek members have proven themselves as empowered, strong campus leaders.
Because fraternity and sorority chapters are self-governing bodies in which the members take on the responsibilities and offices of the organization, Greek life is a special living and learning environment. The hands-on experience helps members develop leadership, organization and communication skills. Chapters and members interact and make connections with other student organizations and departments on campus.
Greeks learn the importance of dedication, working with others, responsibility and self-reliance. In addition, there are many leadership opportunities within the Greek community apart from those within each chapter. Whether a member is a natural leader, wants to cultivate his/her skills or just wants to be involved, Greek life will help him/her develop their unique, individual potential.
SERVICE
One of the most gratifying aspects of Greek life is the sense of satisfaction and pride that comes with involvement in community service. Greeks throughout North America recognize local and national organizations in need of aid by donating time and money through their special philanthropies and service projects. OSU Greeks raise tens of thousands of dollars and devote thousands of hours in hands-on service each year to a variety of projects that benefit the citizens on a local and national level. In addition, the Greek community comes together several times per year to perform joint projects for both the campus and the community. Whether raising money or donating time, service is an essential part of the Greek experience.
HAZING
A common concern about Greek affiliation is hazing. All Greek governing bodies at OSU have policies against hazing. The University has a policy against hazing. It’s against the law in Oklahoma and 43 other states. Congress has passed legislation that keeps an individual who has hazed someone from receiving federal financial aid. Hazing is not tolerated at Oklahoma State University. If you have specific concerns, questions or comments, please contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs.
MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT
There are two topics that are foremost in young peoples’ minds relating to Greek Life: recruitment and recruitment. Recruitment is the procedure used to invite new members into the sororities and fraternities at OSU. Fraternity recruitment and Panhellenic recruitment are different. If your son or daughter attended Greek Discovery Day, you have a good head start on understanding the way they work.
Panhellenic Fall Formal Membership Recruitment is a process that will take place August 6-11, 2007. The young women participating move into their permanent housing for this event on August 6 and the process ends with Bid Day on August 11. Potential New Members must adhere to specific policies and procedures to become paired with one of the sororities at OSU. Likewise, current members of our sororities follow policies; one is to not have contact with your daughter during the summer to discuss becoming a member of their sorority. It is important for you, as parents, to know regardless of what may be said to you or your daughter, membership in a particular chapter cannot be guaranteed by one, or a few, members of any OSU sorority. You may e-mail the recruitment coordinators at osurecruitment@yahoo.com.
Fraternity recruitment is a more casual process that takes place, literally, year around. The first step taken by a young man interested in becoming a member of one of the fraternities is to complete and return the IFC Recruitment Registration Form. Once the form is on file with the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs for the appropriate time period, your son can “sign,” or agree to become affiliated, with an OSU fraternity. Incoming students cannot “sign” an Intent to Pledge Form until “Signing Day”. Signing Day 2007 will be June 16, 2007. This form is available online or in 050 Student Union.
Both recruitment processes are substance-free events. Your son or daughter should not come into contact with alcohol or any other mind-altering substance while being contacted about joining a fraternity or sorority. If this happens, please contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs immediately!
Report Hazing by calling: 1-888-NOT-HAZE (668-4293)