| Information for Parents |
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**The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) is divided into three parts, based on the three types of questions we generally get from parents.
WORRIES What is hazing? Do fraternities haze? Will joining a fraternity take a lot of time? Will joining a fraternity have a negative effect on grades? Is alcohol a problem in fraternities?
THE FACTS How much does all this cost? Why does it cost money? Isn't this like buying your friends? Is there special housing for fraternities? What are the advantages to joining a fraternity?
CURIOSITIES Why is it "Greek" Life? What's the best fraternity on campus?
WORRIES
What is hazing? Do fraternities haze?
Hazing is a term which broadly defines a number of activities and or actions do not contribute to the positive development of a person or an organization; which cause mental or physical harm; or which subject individuals to harassment, embarrassment, ridicule, or distress.
Fraternities at GMU are quite forbidden from hazing and allegations of hazing are generally dealt with by the school administration, fraternity national offices, and local police. These matters are never taken lightly and even those actions that may appear harmless to all parties involved may have dire consequences.
Will joining a fraternity take a lot of time?
Both the new member process and the period of active membership will take time. Fraternities are in a unique position in that they combine the effects of many student organizations into one: philanthropy, service, social activities, special interests, and more. While it is a time commitment, brothers in fraternities also help each other out quite a bit and save time on other activities. George Mason University is a school where much of the student body resides off-campus, has at least a part-time job, and is taking a difficult course load. The members of fraternities are no different, and so do not deliberately seek to take all of one's time.
Will joining a fraternity have a negative effect on grades?
Fraternities were all founded on the principles of academic success. If someone is having trouble with a class or professor, the odds are that someone in the fraternity has had these same troubles before--often with the same class or professor. Most fraternities also have academic standards that require members to attend study hours, enroll in tutoring programs if they fall behind, and penalizes them if their GPA falls below the minimums. Many fraternities also wait until receiving grade reports before initiating new members, and so it is in the best interest of all members if everyone does well.
Is alcohol a problem in fraternities?
Alcohol is considered a problem on almost every college campus in the country. Fraternities, under intense scrutiny of campus administrations everywhere since the mid-1980s, have extensive risk management plans in place and simply don't have the luxury of throwing the big wild parties they are often stereotyped for. Fraternities also attend public seminars and workshops to better understand the dangers of substance abuse. And finally, anything that happens with one member becomes the responsibility (both morally and legally) of the entire chapter. Men of fraternities are probably more likely to act responsibly in these situations than not.
THE FACTS
How much does all this cost? Why does it cost money? Isn't this like buying your friends?
The cost of membership depends on the specific fraternity. Most fraternities have their dues broken down into the following areas: national insurance costs, national office costs, IFC dues, and chapter dues. Dues generally run between $200-$500 per semester. The costs are often greatest during the new member semester.
It costs money to be a part of just about any organization. Fraternities must pay for national insurance policies, to cover all members in case of accidents. Fraternities are also national organizations and must pay for the standard upkeep of a national headquarters staff, documents, materials, books, badges, flags, and more. Chapter dues often go toward helping to set up service or philanthropy events, social events, formals, composites, and more.
It may seem like a lot, but it's probably less than what many students pay during senior year for the usual things such as senior dues, yearbooks, senior pictures, prom, all night graduation parties, senior trips and activities, and everything else.
Many have heard that people in fraternities are buying their friends. There are many reasons that this is extremely incorrect. For one thing, people often join fraternities because they want to be a part of a social network. Those interested in such things often have no need to buy friends. In any case, fraternities are full of brothers, not just friends. Brotherhood is something earned, not purchased.
Is there special housing for fraternities?
At the moment, George Mason University offers no specific Greek Housing. Two sororities have reserved floors in the University Commons. Fraternities are welcome to do this as well, but since fraternities are often much smaller than sororities, it isn't usually possible to fill all the rooms. Plans are underway to look into other options, and very early plans exist for possible Greek Housing by 2014.
What are the advantages to joining a fraternity?
Help with academics, learning how to act properly in all sorts of social situations, networking, and a more fun college experience are all advantages. Most members have difficulty defining exactly what it is that makes joining a fraternity so special, but there are certainly many who probably would have transferred away from GMU long ago or who might not have such fond memories of college had they not joined. Many students graduate having no idea what to do in life. Fraternities help gentlemen figure this out. Fraternities also grant so many opportunities in skills such as leadership, organization, public speaking, events planning, budgeting, time management, and more that are often so important in the post-college world. College can be a difficult time as people are suddenly exposed to a population which dwarves that of any high school. After graduation, many find it difficult to find friendship anywhere outside of the workplace. Fraternities are not just for four years, membership lasts a lifetime. The friendships formed aren't always perfect--that's why we are brothers--but there is forever a network of support and of friends who all share something very sacred and special.
CURIOSITIES
Why is it "Greek" Life?
This is perhaps best answered on our General History of Greek Life page, but the short answer is that American Greek system is so named because of the use of Greek letters. Ancient Greeks are remembered for thinking rationally, being devoted to higher learning, and for beginning the idea of democracy. It is for all these reasons that we are known as Greeks. There is some disagreement over whether we should continue to hold that title or change it to simply "Fraternity and Sorority Life," but we will probably always be known on some level as the Greeks.
What's the best fraternity on campus?
That depends very much on who you are, and what you are looking for. If anyone ever tells you that they are the best, that's fine for their opinion. We encourage all gentlemen to explore every group on campus. Our ideals differ, but are relatively similar. We are a very diverse university, and so is our choice in fraternity opportunities. |