Sororities and fraternities have been serving the Loyola University Chicago campus since 1924. These organizations are rooted in founding principles that foster academic achievement, leadership, community service, and life-long friendships. Greek organizations are groups of men and women who come together to form a personal network of individuals with similar ideals, interests, and a mutual pursuit of a well-rounded college education. Advantages include:

- A support group to help make the adjustment to college easier.

- Scholastic resources to help students achieve their academic goals.

- Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experience.

- Encouragement to get involved and maximize potential on campus.

- Opportunities for active participation in community service projects.

- Opportunities for active participation in community service projects.

- National research has shown that involvement in sororities and fraternities increases students' chances of graduating from college.

- Membership in a sorority or fraternity is for a lifetime. Many alumni return to campus for sports and other special events. These activities promote lifetime friendships that extend beyond individual chapters and include members of the national Greek community

While the costs involved in being a member of a Greek chapter vary, it is important to know that each organization does collect dues and some have initiation costs as well. The dues go toward (Inter)National fees, chapter operating expenses and social functions. Financial obligations differ for fraternities and sororities and among individual chapters. New members can expect to pay higher dues their first semester due to initiation fees.

Additional costs throughout the semester may go to gifts, social events, T-shirts, etc. Several chapters offer payment plans and scholarships for members who need financial assistance. While your student is participating in the membership intake/recruitment process, make sure that he or she asks about the financial obligations of membership.

The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter but the first semester is the most time intensive as the new member goes through the chapter's new member education/membership intake program.

The time spent in this program will give your student the opportunity to develop their leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of the organization, develop friendships with their new member class, as well as the rest of the chapter, and allow them to become involved with other organizations.

After initiation, expectations will vary. Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other mandatory events (philanthropic, service, initiation) throughout the year. These events should be planned in advance.

The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter but the first semester is the most time intensive as the new member goes through the chapter's new member education/membership intake program.

The time spent in this program will give your student the opportunity to develop their leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of the organization, develop friendships with their new member class, as well as the rest of the chapter, and allow them to become involved with other organizations.

After initiation, expectations will vary. Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other mandatory events (philanthropic, service, initiation) throughout the year. These events should be planned in advance.

Throughout the year, each chapter and council spends time fundraising and volunteering to help a particular service project or philanthropy (not-for-profit causes). The time spent together on philanthropic events is one of the many times that sorority and fraternity members will have to bond while making a difference.

The social activities within the Loyola Greek community include intramurals, philanthropy/service events, and mixers. The Loyola Greek community has adopted a more proactive approach to managing social events and all organizations follow FIPG Social and Risk Management Guidelines or a similar set of guidlines from the national/international headquarters.

Sororities and fraternities serve as a great resource for students academically. Every chapter at Loyola is encouraged to have a faculty advisor and scholarship chair that assists members with study hours and academic incentives. Your student can also access the network of chapter members, many of whom already know how to utilize campus resources. Most chapters require a high GPA for continued active membership in the organization.

Each sorority or fraternity on campus has (Inter)National alcohol policies, which require members to follow all federal, state, and local laws, governing alcohol consumption. The University also has policies for all students regarding alcohol consumption. All of our chapters participate in educational programs about alcohol use and abuse.

Hazing is both against university policy as well as state law. Hazing is contrary to the purposes of the Loyola Greek community and Loyola University Chicago. Both chapters and individual members sign off stating they understand these rules and regulations and will not partake in any form of hazing. If it is discovered that hazing has taken place and the person(s) involved are found responsible judicially, those being hazed and the perpetrators may face sanctions up to and including removal from the University. The chapter may face charges as well.

If you sense your student may be participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity or sorority, you should contact the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution at (773) 508.8890. Calls will be handled in a discreet manner.

Students elect their own officers to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. These officers are assisted by chapter members serving on committees and alumni who serve as advisors to the officers and general chapter members. Each chapter is governed by its (Inter)National Headquarters, and governing council here on campus. Additionally, the Student Activities & Greek Affairs staff supports and advises the governing councils, chapter officers, and advisors. These professional staff members also enforce the policies of Loyola University Chicago.

1. Students need support throughout the process of recruitment/intake and new member education. Be supportive and learn as much as you can about the Loyola Greek community by asking questions of your student as she or he meets members in sororities and fraternities.

2. Keep an open mind. Being a member of the Loyola Greek community is not for everyone. Just because you may have been a sorority or fraternity member doesn't mean that it is the right choice for your Student.

3. Sororities and fraternities are different on every campus. Chapters that may have been strong on the campus when/where you attended school may not have the same "personality" now at Loyola. Let your student choose the group that he or she feels the most comfortable joining.

4. Talk to your student beforehand about the financial obligation. Discuss who will pay for what and determine the limits of spending.

5.Know that the process of joining a sorority or fraternity at Loyola. Not everyone who wants to be a Loyola Greek will receive an invitation to do so.

6. Do not become too involved in the sorority and fraternity recruitment/intake process. This is your daughter or son's decision.

7. Too often, parents do not allow their students to ask their own questions. It helps the student mature and gain some assertiveness when allowed to call various offices if they have questions or concerns about their decision to go Greek.

8. Keep Student Activities & Greek Affairs contact information on hand if you have any questions or concerns about Greek Life at the Loyola University Chicago.