Note to Parents

As a parent, your primary interest is that your son or daughter is successful at University and earns the grades that will lead to a promising future. You also hope that your son or daughter will have a well-rounded University experience, learn about the people around him or her and develop the personal skills to succeed in life. While half of the student's experience will be academic in the classroom, the other will be learning experiences outside the classroom. Greek organizations provide an excellent environment to hone leadership skills, personal development goals, and time management planning. Furthermore, Greek life has been a tradition on Canadian campuses since 1879. Canadian leaders such as Prime Ministers Mackenzie King (Kappa Alpha - U of Toronto: 1895), Lester B. Pearson (Delta Upsilon - U of Toronto: 1919) and Paul Martin (Psi Upsilon - U of Toronto: 1961) participated in Greek life. John McRae, the physician and poet ("In Flanders Fields") was a member of Zeta Psi Fraternity (U of Toronto: 1894), the oldest Greek organization in Canada.

What these leaders learned from their Greek membership are the ideals, traditions and skills that are still alive today in the Fraternities and Sororities on Canadian campuses. Twenty-five campuses from Halifax to Vancouver have a Greek life and it is possible that your son or daughter will have the opportunity to participate in a Fraternity or Sorority sponsored event even if they do not themselves opt for Greek membership. Fraternities and Sororities hold many parties, sport competitions and fundraising activities throughout the academic year to rouse campus spirit and involvement. This information is meant to give you insight about Greek life and Rush (the period of new member recruitment) if you have never experienced it for yourself. For some, you may be reminiscing about your own experience as a student in Greek life. For others, you never even knew that Fraternities existed in Canada! This is designed to give you more information about Greek life of today and the next millenium.

Who runs the show? Undergraduate chapters elect their own executive officers to run the business of the chapter. Alumni members of the organization serve as Advisors and guide the Undergradutes in their decision making and control of chapter function. As officers graduate, new members are expected to replace them in the elected roles of Chapter President and Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, Scholarship Planning, and Risk Management. While all fraternal organizations structure their executives differently, each has a directing body which prepares members for similar positions in their future careers. Planning, time management and team-based decision making enable the members to properly drive the continued success of Greek life which has been ongoing in Canada for over 130 years.

How much does it cost? Like any International organization, there are bills to pay to ensure its proper operation. Fraternities and Sororities are no different. When your son or daughter becomes a new member, there is usually a fee paid to the International headquarters. There are also monthly or semesterly dues, depending on the chapter. When it is time to become a full member, there is usually a one-time fee to be paid to the International/National headquarters that covers the cost of their badge, certificate and certain other items. These fees go to keep the house (if the chapter has one) and national organization running. Without them, the chapters could not function. If your son or daughter lives in the house, there are room and board fees which are comparable to residence halls fees. The cost per house vary. Please encourage your son or daughter to ask about live-in cost when they go through Rush.

What about alcohol use? Alcohol use is usually not permitted in any Sorority residence but this varies depending whether the chapter is a Local (not affiliated Internationally) or is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference. Make sure that your daughter inquires about this during Rush. For Men's Greek residence, there is more variability. Some North-Ameircan Interfraternity Conference member organizations have developed an Alcohol-Free Housing policy. This curbs alcohol consumption in the Fraternity residence. Non-Greek and Greek university-life alike nonetheless involve alcoholic events whether they be at a campus bar, coffee house or pool hall. What is important to note is that Greek members are exposed to Alcohol and Drug Abuse seminars as well as educational programmes on date rape, assault and safety. Alcohol consumption has never been a requisite for Fraternity membership. Gone are the days of "Animal House" and like-minded stereotypes. Today, dry events are just as cool as non-dry ones and offer a varied and enjoyable social schedule to Greeks.

What about hazing? The Greek system has taken a firm stance on hazing. It is not permitted or tolerated. Hazing is the degrading or humiliating treatment of non-initiated members by initiated ones. Though hazing has long been a part of military and athletic team initiations, Greeks have received arguably the most attention in regards to hazing. It is absolutely not allowed and any instances should be reported immediately to Greek advisors and campus administration. Most Canadian campuses have anti-hazing support networks including hotlines and seminars. These have mainly been due to the leadership of Fraternity and Sorority men and women. Friends are not won by intimidation. Greek men and women continue to work hard to remove all aspects of hazing from Canadian campuses.

How can I be involved as a parent? During Rush, your son or daughter will be making the decision about which Fraternity or Sorority best fits his or her personality and ideals. The decision isn't easy and he or she may need your support during this time. After Rush, the student will become educated in the history and traditions of his or her chosen organization until he or she is initiated. It is an exciting time and the new member will no doubt invite you and family members to the celebrations that usually follow initiation. Most organizations involve parents heavily by throwing Parent Teas, Father/Daughter Balls, Father/Son Golf Tournaments, Homecoming BBQs, Mother/Daughter Luncheons, Parent Nights and so on. Look forward to these invitations and get ready for fun ahead!

Welcome to Greek life! If you have any more questions, please go to www.npcwomen.org and www.nicindy.org to learn more about the National Panhellenic Conference and North-American Interfraternity Council. Talk to your son or daughter about the Greek system. It is a great time to join Greeklife in Canada!