Letter to Parents

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the Clemson Community. The start of your student’s college career is
one of the most exciting times of his life. With 15,000 students at Clemson University,
it can also be confusing, hectic, and sometimes an overwhelming experience. The
Greek community offers an opportunity to meet many new people and can enhance
your son’s experiences throughout campus.

Fraternity membership not only opens avenues into the University, but life in general.
The fraternity promotes leadership opportunities, builds friendships/brotherhood,
encourages community service, and allows for social and athletic opportunities.
Becoming part of the Greek system will give your son the opportunity to grow as a
campus leader and an individual. The Greek Community makes up 7 in 10 people
listed in Who’s Who, 43 CEO’s of top 50 companies, 75% of Congress, and 66% of
the presidential cabinet since 1900.

On the behalf the 19 fraternities here at Clemson, I encourage your son to go through
the recruitment process, also known as RUSH, to consider membership. Whether
your son decides to join a fraternity or another organization of his choice, I want
him to enjoy his career at Clemson University and stay here through graduation.
Once again I welcome you to the Clemson family.

Go TIGERS!

Go GREEK!

Sincerely,

Zach Miller
IFC President

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 Common Questions

Q. How does the Greek community actively support academic success?

A. All national fraternities and sororities espouse excellence in scholarship and academic achievement as central to their purpose and they back that with visible support and resources. Sororities and fraternities set minimum GPA's for both initiation and continuation in good standing. Many chapters provide scholarship programs, study halls, tutoring, computer resources, test files, and recognition activities to encourage and support excellence in academic achievement. National awards and individual Greek council awards often factor in academic achievement by chapter members. In addition, the Clemson Fraternity and Sorority Life office offers and coordinates programs which can support chapter scholarship initiatives. No fraternity or sorority can hope to compete and survive in the Greek community unless it gives academic achievement the attention it deserves. The Clemson University Greek community believes that its survival and growth is tied to its role in supporting the academic goals of its members.

Q. How does Greek membership assist students in developing their leadership potential?
 

A. Greek letter organizations provide many opportunities for holding leadership positions. In most cases, this means leading an incorporated organization with significant budgets and reporting responsibilities to both the campus and a national organization. Many of the leaders of other groups on the Clemson campus are fraternity men and sorority women. These men and women are leading their own chapters and the three councils which govern the fraternities and sororities on campus. By being in leadership positions and having to work with their peers, students gain hands-on experience with organizational behaviors. This sets them up for success when they enter the working world. Wherever you look on campus, Greek men and women are leading the way.

Q. How does Greek membership help reinforce or create a sense of civic responsibility and service to others?
 

A. Every school year Greek women and men give hundreds of hours of service and raise thousands of dollars to support many different worthy causes. Most chapters support both local charities and their national organization's philanthropy. For some local projects, the involvement by the Clemson Greek community is the largest single instance of volunteer participation in their programs. Clemson fraternities and sororities work with such causes and programs as: Habitat for Humanity, WORTHhouse, Helping Hands of Clemson, and different school mentoring and tutoring programs, to name a few. It is hard to drive for very long in the Clemson area without driving on a road "adopted" by a Greek organization. Clemson Greeks have made and continue to make a difference, both on and off campus, through organized service and dedicated philanthropy.

Q. What about the stories I see on the evening news about fraternities and sororities around the country?
 

A. Nobody likes stereotypes, and over the years, Greek women and men have been caricatured, lampooned, and portrayed in an unflattering manner by movies and television. This is not to say that members of the Greek community have not committed heinous offenses against their peers; they have. Yet, when the number of students committing these acts is viewed in the context of the American Fraternal system, they represent less than one-one-hundredth of one percent of the total membership. The media does not play up the positive values of Greek groups because they do not perceive these values to have "entertainment value," but those ideals are much more characteristic of Greek life than is the "Animal House" caricature. Sororities and fraternities at Clemson, with the support of the Clemson Fraternity and Sorority Life office, are committed to member education programs which instill commitment and pride in the organization, as opposed to the fear and negativity often associated with hazing and alcohol abuse.

Q. How will Greek membership provide social activities for my student?
 

A. The social life of fraternity men and sorority women can be very rich and rewarding, with friendships made that can last a lifetime, and the development of social skills which will be useful to any adult. Fraternities and sororities provide activities which sharpen conversation techniques, conflict resolution skills, and promote poise and a sense of social grace. All of the Greek letter organizations at Clemson advocate the legal, responsible use of alcohol by members, and both they and their national organizations, as well as the Clemson Fraternity and Sorority Life staff, work to ensure that this responsibility is taken seriously.
 

Q. What are the costs associated with joining a Greek organization and how much time is required of members?
 

A. It is important that each student who considers joining be aware of the expenses of both initially joining a group, and maintaining membership. Each chapter is self-supporting, funded largely by membership dues and some fundraising. Costs vary depending on individual national dues, insurance premiums, social fees, and house expenses, where applicable. Most chapters will provide a payment plan for members with special needs. Your student and you are strongly encouraged to ask about membership financial obligations.

Q. As a parent, what should I do to support my son or daughter's decision to join a Greek letter organization?
 

A. First of all, be supportive of that decision and encourage your student to find out as much as they can about a prospective group(s). Consult with your student as you feel comfortable about this decision, but in the end, let him or her make the choice for their membership. After that decision is made, talk with your daughter or son periodically and ask them about their Greek experience. Feel free to contact the Clemson Fraternity and Sorority Life staff if you would like any additional information about a particular group.

Recent research initiative reports that fraternities and sororities add value to the college experience
The Center for Advanced Social Research, at the University of Missouri-Columbia, conducted a two year study on the effects of membership in a fraternity or sorority on undergraduate and life experiences. The research findings showed:
Fraternity and Sorority membership helps keep students in college: Students who belong to Greek organization are more likely to stay in college. Student retention increased about 28% according to the study.
Alumni members achieve success: After factoring out the effects of parents' education level, gender and year of graduation, the study found Greek membership correlated positively with higher income.
Greek alumni give more to Alma Maters: Colleges receive more gifts - and in greater amounts - from Greek members. 11% of member alumni gave $1,000-$5,000 versus 1.4% among non-members.
Greek members are more active in campus and community activities: Greek members tend to participate more fully in extracurricular campus activities than do other students. Greek members also nurtured their "social capital" - involvement in the community - in later years.