A fraternity or sorority is a group of men or women formed by a brotherhood or sisterhood and common goals and aspirations who make a commitment to each other for life. The members that form a fraternity or sorority share their efforts, friendship and knowledge.

Your daughter or son will become a part of a network that will help one another grow for life. They will benefit from networking in order to get jobs or build up their career, as well as having a support system at school to keep them uplifted and motivated to succeed. Your daughter or son will further be able to develop into a wiser, smarter, and well-rounded individual through involvement and development as a member of a fraternity or sorority.

While there are many benefits to fraternities and sororities, also referred to as “Greek Life,” for both the individual student and the campus community alike, the four main areas of focus for these organizations are: Scholarship, Leadership, Service and Sisterhood/Brotherhood. While your daughter or son is a student at the University of Houston, their involvement in a sorority or fraternity can positively affect them in each of the above areas. Upon graduation, they will be prepared to take on the challenges of their professional and personal life as a well-rounded, balanced individual. Research has proven time and time again that members of sororities and fraternities are more likely to stay in college, more likely than non-members to graduate from college, and more likely to enjoy their full college experience.

Above all else, your daughter or son’s reason for attending college is purely academic. Chapters require at least a 2.5 grade point average in order to be initiated. Each individual chapter sets its own academic standards and requirements for its members to remain in good standing. Students often find time management difficult when moving from a highly structured high school environment to the freedom of college. Greek membership assists in that transition by offering scholarship programs that may include study partners, mandatory study hours, and time management workshops. Most chapters elect a scholarship or academic chair who assists with these efforts and upholds chapter standards. Some chapters even offer scholarships for academic achievement. Your daughter or son can access the network of chapter members who already know how to use campus resources like the library, tutors, computer labs, and academic advisors. Nothing can take the place of a disciplined and academically focused student to ensure success in college. Thanks, in part, to the chapters’ academic goals and programs, many chapters’ cumulative grade point average exceeds a 2.5.

While each chapter differs in what it requires of its members, there are certainly time commitments for fraternity and sorority affairs. Chapters normally have: weekly membership meeting, new members meetings, executive board meetings, study hours. Additionally, fraternities/sororities host special events during the year that members normally attend such as: philanthropies, socials, recruitment, and initiation. Check with each chapter about its individual member requirements.

The sorority/fraternity experience is an investment in your daughter/son’s future. The leadership skills, academic assistance, and friendship will benefit your daughter/son beyond their college days. Greek organizations are quite affordable and all fees provide services that will positively impact your daughter/son. Dues directly support the betterment of the chapter and the national organization. Many students work to supplement funding for their dues. Chapters and/or national organizations may offer scholarships and grants. Many chapters have monthly payment plans. We encourage students to ask questions related to finances during the recruitment process. We also encourage you to be “hands on” in this decision if you have any questions about the obligations regarding finances. Chapter costs will vary.

Although some parents who have knowledge about the system may not consider this aspect of fraternity/sorority life to be of high concern, many of the stereotypes that exist around fraternity/sorority life cause the issue of ‘secret societies’ to be a concern for parents. For those with limited experience with fraternities and sororities, several aspects of the organizations' membership knowledge and traditions are unknown to those who are not initiated in that particular organization. Fraternity and sorority rituals or what some might say “secrets” exist not to separate members of the fraternity/sorority community, but instead are designed to bring together shared values and common bonds.

Each member of the sorority or fraternity in which your daughter or son chooses membership can count on their peers for support in each of the above areas. There’s also a sense of friendship, and even family, which comes with sharing such important developmental changes with the other members. These friendships often last far beyond graduation from UH, making the decision to join a sorority or fraternity one that could benefit your daughter or son throughout their lifetime. The national headquarters for each sorority and fraternity often possess intricate networking abilities to help your daughter or son find internships while at UH and professional positions after graduation. Ultimately, the lifelong friendships that will support your daughter or son through the many phases of his or her life both during and after college are important, and worthwhile.

Each semester our fraternity and sorority members here and across the country participate in a wide variety of community service projects. These projects take many forms and benefit many worthy causes like the American Heart Association, Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the March of Dimes, the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Club, TRIO Programs, Habitat for Humanity, and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital just to name a few.

Organizations encourage & favor students that have a life outside of their sorority/fraternity. Members have freedom to participate in things that are important to them so that no member feels that their priorities have no worth in their organization.

You are doing your job right now by reading this page! You will want to gather as much information as possible about the interest your daughter or son has in the particular organization. Another job you have is to be supportive and get an understanding about why she/he wants to become a member.