Family Resources
Sending a child to college can be a challenging, yet exciting time in a parent's life.
While at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), your student will encounter many opportunities to become involved outside of their classroom experience. It is important that you, as the parent or family member, be educated about the enriching experience that your son or daughter will find by being involved in a fraternity or sorority at BGSU. Below are some questions you may have about fraternities and sororities, in addition to some tips in helping your student find the organization that is best for them.
Contrary to what is seen in movies or news headlines about what it means to be in a fraternity or sorority, the fraternal experience at BGSU offers opportunities for members to grow as leaders, serve the community, excel academically, and prepare themselves for a career. Membership in a fraternity or sorority at BGSU offers a home-away-from home and makes the large University setting feel a bit smaller. At BGSU, fraternities and sororities cultivate environments that encourage members to maintain a high GPA, perform community service, become involved in outside student organizations, and ultimately become a campus leader. To put it simply, fraternities and sororities exist to make men better men and women better women; not only while they’re in college, but for their entire life.
To be frank, some fraternities and sororities at BGSU are better at creating a positive and enriching environment for their members than others, so it is important for you to be involved in helping your student make the right choice when it comes to joining a fraternity or sorority. Since joining a fraternity or sorority is a lifelong commitment that continues well after graduating college, consider sitting down with your student to research all of the organizations that are available to join. Utilizing local chapter and national websites are a great, convenient way to gather information.
• What is expected of fraternity/sorority members?
• How will membership affect your academics?
• What does the fraternity/sorority do to contribute positively to members’ academic success?
• What leadership opportunities are available to students as both new members and active members?
• Does the chapter perform hands-on community service? If so, how often?
• Does the fraternity or sorority require members to live in the facility (if housing is available)? If so, for how long?
• What are the expenses associated with membership? How does this vary as a new member?
• What do membership dues pay for?
• What type of member is the chapter looking for?
• What values does this organization promote?
• Is the organization officially recognized by the University? If not, why is this the case?
• What is the time commitment?
Check out the websites of the national umbrella organizations that govern our fraternities and sororities:
It can be perceived that membership in a fraternity or sorority may compromise a student's safety and well-being because of concerns related to the party culture, hazing, body image issues, among others. At BGSU, we are diligent in creating a positive environment so that these risks are prevented through clear policies and intentional education. In addition to having policies and regulations through their national organization, fraternities and sororities must also stay within accordance with BGSU’s Code of Student Conduct which outlines clear policies regarding alcohol, hazing, event management, drugs, among others. These policies are in accordance with the state law of Ohio and are strictly enforced by BGSU administrators, leadership from the national headquarters, and members of the BGSU fraternity/sorority community themselves. All organizations have at least one alumni advisor to ensure the chapter is acting within accordance of policies. Additionally, every fraternity and sorority that is housed on campus has a live-in staff member who enforces policies, responds to crisis, and serves as a resource to members.
Beyond enforcing policies, the Fraternity & Sorority Life staff is committed to providing educational programming related to alcohol consumption and binge drinking, bystander behavior, body image, among many others to ensure that health and wellness are at the forefront of the fraternal experience. We also partner with several areas on campus that promote wellness and safety such as The Wellness Connection, the Counseling Center, and Student Conduct just to name a few.
A major concern of many parents and families is whether their son or daughter will be hazed in order to join an organization. Not only is hazing against University policy, but also against state law. Thus, there is a zero tolerance for such behavior from fraternities and sororities at BGSU.
• Any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; and/or which demeans, degrades, or disgraces any person regardless of location, intent or consent of participant.
• Any activity or situation that, intentionally or unintentionally humiliates, degrades, abuses, or endangers a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any student organization or athletic team.
BGSU has a 24-hour anonymous hazing hotline available for students to use should they or someone they know encounter hazing. The number is 419-372-HAZE (4293).
Typically, fraternities and sororities do have a live-in requirement for one or two years. Learn more about living in the Greek Village.
Updated: 05/23/2023 08:24AM