Frequently Asked Questions:
- What will I get from Greek Life that I would not get out of any other college organization?
- How will joining fraternity or sorority benefit me after college?
- Will my academics be comprised if I join a Greek chapter?
- What kind of community service and philanthropies do Greek organizations participate in?
- How much does it cost to be a member in a fraternity or sorority?
- How time consuming is joining a fraternity or sorority?
- Are fraternities and sororities primarily social in nature?
- What is the Hazing Policy?
- What is recruitment?
- How do I join a fraternity or sorority at St Cloud State University?
- Where can I go to learn more?
What will I get from a Fraternity or Sorority Experience that I would not get out of any other college organization?
Coming to college is one of the major life changes that you will go through. Joining a fraternity or sorority chapter will help in making the transition easier. Developing life long friendships with the members in the Fraternities/Sororities helps make the campus seem smaller. For many members, their Fraternities/Sororities become a home away from home. In addition to the brotherhood/sisterhood, every SCSU Fraternity/Sorority is dedicated to enhancing leadership, scholarship, and philanthropy/community service as part of their experience. No other student organizatiosn have a life-long connection to their Alma Matter. Fraternities/Sororities have been around since the earliest American Colleges.
Alumni/Alumnae Networking and Advisement support
The challenge to live to a higher standard and to develop oneself above and beyond
How will joining fraternity or sorority benefit me after college?
The lifelong friendships you will make by being a member of a fraternity or sorority chapter will last into post-college years. Greek students have national networks for their member to use for careers and job re-locations. Membership in a chapter can be a life long experience that is an investment in your future. Wherever you end up after college, chances are you will be able to find an alumni chapter or members from your fraternity or sorority in the area.
Will my academics be comprised if I join a Fraternity/Sorority at SCSU?
Academic achievement is a number one priority for students in fraternities and sororities. When students join a SCSU Fraternity/Sorority they become part of a larger group of students who value their academic goals at St. Cloud State University. In order to join a SCSU Fraternity/Sorority; individuals are required to have a minimum grade point average. (Currently it is set at a 2.3 Cumulative G.P.A. ) Additionally, every fraternity and sorority has a scholarship officer who initiates programs within the F/S as well as the entire F/S community to encourage academic success.. The scholarship officers of each chapter provide various resources for members, such as, tutoring, education programs, and awards and recognition.
The University assigns a Graduate Student as an advisor to the Academic Officers of each of our groups to work with them to manage academic success, engage them in learning opportunities, and faciliate individual assessment.
Why Scholarship is important:
- Scholarship was one of the founding principles of all Fraternities & Sororities. Since we were founded at academic institutions the atmosphere surrounding our development has been deeply rooted in academics.
- “promoting friendship for a lifetime, inspiring academic excellence and lifelong learning…”
- “an organization of women, which seeks for every member throughout her life bonds of friendship, mutual support, opportunities for self-growth, respect for intellectual development…”
- ” but they also created a fraternity steeped in the traditions of the past and dedicated to the Pursuit of Learning.”
- The pursuit of brotherhood through scholarship, leadership, service and social experiences
- The intellectual ambition of the Fraternity shall be the attainment of highest scholarship
- Focus the Fraternity on personal character development through leadership, scholarship, community service, and positive social experiences.
- We seek the highest ideal of womanhood, and we try to gain this ideal by cultivating not only the power and passion for seeking intellectual development but, also, the spirit of love and charity
- To foster a nurturing environment that provides women the opportunity to achieve their potential through life-long commitment to intellectual growth, individual worth and service to humanity.
- We promote the pursuit of knowledge. It is the key to a fuller, richer life. We gain it through education.
What kind of community service and philanthropies do SCSU Fraternities & Sororities participate in?
One of the most gratifying aspects of a SCSU Fraternity & Sorority Experience at St. Cloud State University is the sense of satisfaction and pride which 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 volunteering at local shelters and soup kitchens, to food and clothing drives. Helping others will undoubtedly be one of the most rewarding experiences a student in a fraternity or sorority will have in college. Below are just few of the causes, issues, service, and philanthropy :
Philanthropy/Community Service: Cystic Fibrosis, Anorexia Nervosa &
Associated Disorders, and The Delta Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation
Philanthropy/Community Service: Speech & Hearing Impaired, House Ear
Institute, Project Astride, and Sound Beginnings, Adopt-A-Highway
Philanthropy/Community Service: Cystic Fibrosis, Domestic Violence, and "Take Back the Night"
Philanthropy/Community Service: American Diabetes Assoc, March Of Dimes,
Adopt-A-Highway, Children's Hospital, Salvation Army Bell Ringing
How much does it cost to be a member in a fraternity or sorority?
The Fraternity/Sorority experience is an investment in your future. The leadership skills, the academic assistance and the friendships will benefit you beyond your college days. Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial commitment. Each chapter is self-supporting through the dues paid by their members. Most chapters offer members payment plans to assist in paying for dues. Membership dues go to services that directly support the betterment of the chapter and the national organization. To assist members, chapters may offer various scholarships and grants.
Each F/S is self-supported through dues charged to all members. In the first year of membership, a few one-time expenses are assessed. If housing is offered, fraternity lodging and meals are competitive with other housing options in the St Cloud communuity. It is also important to note that a variety of payment plans are usually offered by the individual F/S.
Fraternities & Sororities Vary in their costs.
The cost can range from $60 dollars to $350 dollars at initial joining semester. this usually pays for ones "jeweled" membership badge/Pin, educational materials, programing costs, Insurance,and if the F/S is Inter/national affiliated; they have membership costs to forward.
Once you are a member, you pay semester dues to your F/S to cover insurance and F/S programming costs. You are 'pooling' your funds to operate and do t hings as a group. Groups establish their goals and needs for the semester and outline a budget to match the costs of the organizations goals, mission, and purpose.
How time consuming is joining a fraternity or sorority?
The amount of time involved in joining a fraternity or sorority will vary for each group. For first year students, the semester in which you decide to become a member will be the most time intensive period for you, as this is the time that the members will go through the F/S education period. The time spent in this program will give you the opportunity to develop leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of the organization, develop friendships with others in their new member class, as well as the rest of the chapter, and allow you to become involved with other organizations. More importantly it will introduce you to the values of your F/S and find connection to your individual values, those of the organization, and how that translates into membership.
After initiation into the chapter, expectation will vary. Each group has weekly meetings and other mandatory events (community service events, programs, academic expectations and ceremonies) throughout the year, but they are planned well in advance. In addition to the weekly meeting, the more you put into the your experience the more you will get out of being a member!
Are fraternities and sororities primarily social in nature?
There is a social aspect to the F/S community, but these “social” events include education programs/workshops, community service events, intramural sports, Family Weekend, Greek Week, Carnival, Homecoming, and dinner exchanges in addition to parties and socials. Today’s Greek communities across the nation have adopted a stringent approach to socializing thereby creating safer, more beneficial environments for their members. Each group caries insurance and adheres to Risk Management policies. Parties are not the purpose of fraternities & sororities, they are a benefit. If you are looking for your F/S experience to be just about 'parties". We do not think that SCSU Fraternities & Sororities may be for you. if you want to experience a comprehensive and variety of opportunities and can see yourself committing to that type of college lifestyle. We welcome you.
What is the Hazing Policy?
Physical and mental hazing is prohibited by St. Cloud State University, as well as by the national organizations, and by the laws of the State of Minnesota. St. Cloud State University’s groups recognize that hazing has no place in their organizations and have eliminated it. St. Cloud State University does not tolerate any form of hazing whether intentional or unintentional and works with alumni and undergraduate members in an effort to provide members with a positive and rewarding F/S experience. Most “pledge” or new member periods are a fun way to learn the history of the organization, its purpose, mission and Values and how that transcibes into ones daily life as a member of a SCSU Fraternity/Sorority.
We "Kick off" the expereince with a membership development leadership development program for all the new members of SCSU Fraternities/Sororities called "Greek 101".
Greek 101 Program
What is recruitment? Membership Exploration....
In the beginning of the Fall semester fraternities and sororities at SCSU will host a wide array of recruitment events. The sororities offer a Membership Exploration Week in the month of the September and is planned for minimal interference with class schedules. Its purpose is to provide a week of opportunities to meeting the women, experience some of the the actvities they do as sorority members and show you a 'snapshot" of what a sorority experience can be...
The fraternities host recruitment events First year students are highly encouraged to attend membership exploration oportunities and meet members.
Stereotypes are long held and comign to SCSU with an open mind and 'critically examine" what a F/S experience can be for you is just part of what the University encourages you to do.
How do I join a fraternity or sorority at SCSU?
You will receive information about recruitment and membership exploration in many ways.
During SCSU orientation, there will be an opportunity to come to a session sponsored by the University on Fraternity & Sorority Life
The Fraternities offer Informational Sessions all day at certain times during MainStreet each year as well as SideStreet in the Spring.
Each individual F/S sponsors their own individual events so you can meet their members and find out about their individual organizations in order to find your place.
Joining is a 'two-way" process.
1. You tell them you are interested to join
2 They may tell you they would welcome your acceptance to join by offering a 'bid of membership".
3 You decide to join and notify them.
4. The F/S has to verify you are a SCSU Student, Verfiy your Academic Standing, and have you sign a "Acceptance of membership" form with the University.
Where can I go to learn more?
The General page will provide more information or you can always Contact US with your Greek-related questions.
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The Center for Student Organizations & Leadership Development |
Questions & Inquiries greekexperience@stcloudstate.edu
Graduate Advisor : Katie Treichel - trka0701@stcloudstate.edu , 320-308-3004 Office: AMC 139 (Academic Success & Scholarship Development, Greek Programming Board, and Fraternity & Sorority Programming Initiatives)
Graduate Advisor: Chelsea B. Redger - rech0602@stcloudstate.edu ,320-308-2205 Office: AMC 118 (Interfraternity Council Advisor - Men's Fraternities)
Graduate Advisor: Evan Schaefer - scev0701@stcloudstate.edu , 320.308.2205 Office: AMC 118 (F/S initiatives & programs assistant)
Fraternity & Sorority Liason : Robert C. Reff, Ph.D. Counselor for Health/Wellness Greek Programming. (Generalist counselor with special interests in relationships, healthy emotional expression, group counseling, outreach, men’s health, and alcohol abuse and sexual assault prevention programs specifically for the SCSU Fraternity & Sorority Community.) Counseling & Psychological Services
Fraternity & Sorority Community Advisor : Stuart R Umberger - srumberger@stcloudstate.edu , 320-308-3004 Office: AMC 139 (Panhellenic Council Advisor, Overall Fraternity & Sorority Learning Community Program)
