CWRU’s Greek Life is a unique Greek experience with exponential potential. We emphasize the ability for each potential new member to discover a sorority/fraternity which will celebrate their unique contributions to the chapter and help them further grow towards the best version of themselves through the lens of our four pillars: Citizenship, Leadership, Ritual, and Scholarship.
As your student navigates the process of joining one of our sororities/fraternities, here are a few tips on how to best support your student through this experience.
With numerous organizations to consider, it is important to explore the various options. Each organization has its own personality, values, philanthropic partner, and other attributes. Encourage your student to learn about these differences to help them find an organization where they sense a deep and meaningful connection.
Discuss with your student what they hope to gain from becoming a member of a sorority/fraternity. Help them clarify and describe their goals; many organizations seek new members who are as ready to invest in the chapter as the chapter is to invest in them.
Each organization has financial obligations related to joining and remaining a member throughout their time as a student. As your student learns more about each organization, discuss the associated costs for joining and membership and how your student plans to cover those expenses.
Share with them any concerns you may have about them joining a sorority/fraternity. Discussing these concerns together can raise valuable questions for your student to ask chapters they are considering. In addition, you and your student are always welcome to visit or reach out to the Greek Life staff to discuss any concerns.
Joining a sorority/fraternity typically requires significant commitment. Since the recruitment period is designed to help your student discover and develop meaningful, life-long connections, there is an intentionality to the process. Whether your student feels confident about joining an organization or is still on the fence, remind them to trust the process. There is an organization here for everyone, but some students take a few semesters to find the group they feel is truly right for them.
While the recruitment experience is the student’s experience, you can be an important source of guidance and support. Your student may feel unsure about making a life-long choice; that is a common experience. As an important sounding board, you can provide emotional, psychological, or financial support. Remind them to take a deep breath and reflect on what they are hoping to find in a sorority/fraternity to help them thrive as a student and whole person. The time required to make the best decision varies greatly depending on the person.
If you are a member of a sorority/fraternity, assure them they are not obligated to join your organization. Chapters of the same organization can vary greatly on different campuses; the goal is for them to feel as connected to the organization they choose as you feel to yours. Whether or not they join your organization, you can still bond over the shared experience of being a member of a sorority/fraternity. You may discover that organizations are more similar than you first believed.
Once your student joins a sorority/fraternity, continue learning about their ongoing experience. Each organization has advisors helping guide and support that group as well as your student specifically throughout their journey. In addition, Greek Life staff members are available to talk with you and/or your student to address any concerns and answer questions you might have. Our mission is to continue the 185+ year tradition of Greek Life at CWRU by supporting our students and organizations to make Greek Life one of the most meaningful and impactful parts of every member’s CWRU experience.