Frequently Asked Questions
Alcohol abuse is unhealthy and inconsistent with fraternity/sorority ideals. All fraternities/sororities are expected to uphold state, county, and city laws, as well as university policies regarding the consumption of alcohol. Due to the fact that Greek organizations comprise the largest student organization nationwide, Greek communities are constantly in the media spotlight. Social problems such as binge drinking and drug use occur in nearly every facet of society. The Office of Greek Affairs provides continuing training and preventative programs on substance abuse to our community to combat this.
Alcohol consumption has never been a requirement for Greek membership and there are a significant percentage of Greek men and women who do not drink. All sororities and some fraternities at Georgia Tech offer alcohol free housing and all have strict regulations on the use of alcohol. In addition, no fraternity or sorority is allowed to purchase alcohol for members.
Students often find managing their time difficult when moving from the highly structured high school environment to the freedoms of college. Fraternities and sororities assist in that transition by offering scholastic programs which might include study partners, study hours, time management workshops, exam and paper libraries, and scholarships. Members can access the network of Greek members who already know how to use campus resources like the library, study skills centers, computer labs, and academic advisors. Georgia Tech Greek organizations all have minimum GPA requirements for their members and will help each member achieve it, but members are still ultimately responsible for utilizing the resources made available.
Every Greek organization is different and unique, but at Georgia Tech, we have yet to come across any Tri-Lambs, 90210 KEG houses or John Belushi Animal House types.
Georgia Tech and every Greek organization has a firm stance against hazing as it is easily the most dangerous and destructive practice that an organization can take part in. Although many people automatically associate the term "hazing" with the idea of mistreating or abusing pledges or new members, any member can actually be a victim of hazing. Hazing can be defined as singling out an individual or group of people and forcing them to do something that is psychologically, physically, or emotionally harmful or damaging. Potential members of fraternities and sororities are never forced to do anything they do not feel comfortable doing.
New fraternity and sorority members experience a period of orientation. During this time, new members will participate in weekly meeting to learn about the university and the fraternity/sorority, leadership retreats, community service projects, and activities designed to build friendships among the new members and the older members of the chapter and to instill a sense of responsibility and commitment in the new members.
In addition, The Office of Greek Affairs provides continuing training and preventative programs on hazing to our community to prevent hazing from happening and to help new members identify if hazing is occurring and how to address it.
There is a very elaborate hierarchy of power in place to ensure the success and safety of undergraduate members. Within each Greek organization there are numerous student leadership positions. These range from chapter president, VP, treasurer, and scholarship chairman all the way to kitchen manager and intramural chairman. Each officer has a set of duties he/she is responsible for completing. Most chapters also utilize a committee system to assist the officers in their duties.
The executive council of officers within each chapter must then answer to several outside governing bodies. First, the student governing boards, the Collegiate Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, and National Pan-Hellenic Council. These executive councils are comprised of 7-8 experienced officers from different fraternities and sororities who are elected to their positions by the presidents of the fraternities and/or sororities they represent. The executive councils develop and enforce policies within the respected universities guidelines. The second body to which chapter officers must answer is their alumni governing board. This body is made up of alumni who are financially responsible and liable for the success of the organization and chapter house (if applicable). These alumni make sure the organization (and house, if applicable) is functioning properly and that the undergraduate members in the chapter are safe and acting responsibly. Third, the officers within each chapter must answer to their national organization. Each fraternity and sorority is sponsored and given its charter, or permission to operate, by and inter/national organization. These inter/national organizations ultimately determine the status of their member chapters. Therefore, chapters must meet certain guidelines and complete the appropriate paperwork required by their inter/national organizations.
Finally, because Greek organizations are registered with the Institute as student organizations, they must also abide by Institute policies. These regulations are imposed by university administrators. The final set of policies that Greek organizations must abide by is local, state, and federal laws.
Each chapter is self-supported through dues charged to all members. In the first year of membership, a few one-time expenses are assessed. After those initial payments are made, a member’s only expense will be his/her regular dues. This cost is used to pay for intramural sports, community service projects, scholarships, upkeep of the house (if applicable), and the dozens of social events offered. If housing is offered, fraternity and sorority lodging and meals are competitive with other housing and dining options. Consider the cost of being Greek for a full four years and compare it to other four year living options and you may be surprised. It is more often less expensive to be Greek than not. A variety of payment plans are usually offered. Information about detailed costs and expenses are included in the 2009 Guide to Greek Life.
Friendship is not a commodity that can be bought and sold. Fraternities and sororities build lifelong friendships based on common interests, goals, beliefs and respect. A person must pay to live in any living organization, or any residence hall for that matter. It is probably fair to say that most individuals, Greek or non-Greek, tend to socialize to a certain extent with the people with whom they live. When confronted with this myth, members commonly say “If you insist I bought my friends, then it was the best investment of my life.”
Research has shown that involved college students are more likely to graduate and they report greater satisfaction with their college experience. Through fraternity and sorority involvement, members will learn how to balance thier academic, work, campus involvement, and social commitments. Rest assured that members of the Greek community are not required to participate in any event, program or meeting that might conflict with academic requirements. This means that academic commitments preclude any other time commitments. In addition, varsity athletes, members of marching band and debate, and students studying architecture or engineering are just a few examples of students with large time commitments who regularly join fraternities and sororities. There are even graduate students that join.
Parents can be supportive and learn as much as possible by asking questions of your student as he or she meets people through the recruitment process. Fraternity and sorority members will be more than happy to tell you about their group. Parents have opportunity to participate through parent clubs and the many family events that each chapter holds. Most chapters keep family members up to date on chapter news through newsletters or other means as well.
Greek life offers everything that university courses do not offer - development of social skills, leadership opportunities, a needed break from studying, and FUN! Each fraternity and sorority has numerous social events, charity projects, workshops, and more - all designed to help you and your resume, so you can succeed. In addition, each inter/national fraternity and sorority has an established philanthropy, or community service program, that raises money for a charity of choice. These philanthropies are carried out by member chapters at various universities all over North America. The community service programs allow chapters to give back to the community. These nationally designed service projects make up only a small percentage of the service projects actually carried out by Greek communities. These community service event projects are fun and often double as social events because chapters regularly donate their time and energy to events sponsored by other organization.
While most new member classes are comprised of mostly freshmen, students of any class standing (whether it be freshmen, sophomore, junior, senior, or even graduate students) are welcome in the Greek community. When you decide to join depends on you. Some people like to get acquainted with campus and the college life before entering into the Greek community. Other people see Greek life as a way to help them do just that. A few organizations even have a minimum credit hour requirement, so you may need to be a sophomore or junior to join.
Fraternities and sororities are comprised of men and women from varied backgrounds and interests and must they learn to respect each others individuality and differences. For this reason, Greek men and women are incredibly well rounded. Greek communities offer limitless opportunities for individual growth and development.
First, the resources to aid in academic achievement are readily available. Members have access to older, more experienced students, mentors, and scholarship programming within their chapters. Every Greek organization understands that academic responsibilities take priority over all other programming or requirements.
Second, leadership opportunities are innumerable. There are leadership positions available within each fraternity and sorority and within the Greek community at large. Greeks are exposed to mentors and role models in every facet of campus life.
Third, a very active and planned social calendar helps members of the Greek community to fine tune interpersonal skills. Constant interaction with members of their own chapter and other organizations help members to network and build long-lasting friendships.
Finally, individuals are able to learn important lessons about themselves from experiences in the Greek community. They can discover their own strengths and weaknesses and learn how to utilize their talents for the future. Time management skills, the importance of cultural diversity, and interpersonal skills are all included in the variety of programming within Georgia Tech Greek life.
Not true. If we were, then why are we here trying to get you and everyone else to join? Fraternity men and sorority women come from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. ANYONE can join a Greek organization!
Georgia Tech Greek life welcomes people of all backgrounds and actively educates all members about the importance and value of diversity. Programming is inclusive of Greeks and non-Greeks alike. The recruitment process for men and women is one of "mutual selection." This means that fraternities and sororities are interviewing prospective members while at the same time prospective members are able to interview the organization.
Georgia Tech is a big place. The sooner you know more people, the more comfortable you will feel on campus. By joining in your first year, you will find adjusting to college life a lot easier. Many fraternity and sorority members who didn't join in their first year on campus wished they had.
Fraternity men call each other “brother” and sorority women call each other “sister” because they are part of a fraternal family. Through their fraternity and sorority membership, they develop a sense of family and lifelong friendship. Brothers and sisters provide each other with incredible emotional support and a home away from home. Membership in a fraternity or sorority is for life - from the class of 1945 to 2009, you have a fraternal bond with everyone - the bond of friendship.
Many members are involved in university-wide religious groups. A few chapters even recruit new members based upon religious affiliation. No Greek organization will prevent a student from practicing his/her faith.
The belief that membership in a Greek chapter prevents friendship with non-Greeks is absolutely ridiculous. Interaction with students in and out of the Greek community happens all the time. Friends are made in the classroom, in all types of extra-curricular activities, and the list goes on and on. Many members of the Greek community have lived in either residence halls or in an off-campus living arrangement. Students also maintain strong friendships from high schools or hometowns.