Sorority & Fraternity Life: Frequently Asked Questions
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What is Sorority & Fraternity Life?
Refers to social organizations for undergraduate students. -
What is Recruitment?
Recruitment also know as rush is the period of time when Sorority & Fraternity Organizations hold events open to everyone for people to find out what that organization is about. -
How do I join a Sorority or Fraternity organization?
To be eligible for Sorority & Fraternity Life recruitment, a first-semester student must enter with a 2.5 high school G.P.A. Upperclass students must have minimum G.P.A. of a 2.5. However, it is important to remember that some fraternities and sororities may require higher academic eligibility requirements. To find out more about each organization, you should attend recruitment events. -
What is the financial obligation to join a Sorority or Fraternity organization?
Dues vary widely from organization to organization and are typically higher the first semester of joining. As you get to know Sorority & Fraternity members on campus, be sure to ask them specific questions related to the financial obligation for their individual organization. -
What is Deferred Recruitment?
Deferred Recruitment is a period of time at the first semester of the academic year where Sorority & Fraternity Organizations cannot recruit members. This period is followed by General Recruitment in which all organizations take part in events. After General Recruitment, there is specific recruitment for each individual organization. -
Will joining a sorority or fraternity adversely affect a student's grades?
Students often find managing their time difficult when moving from the highly structured high school environment to the freedom of college. Sorority & Fraternity membership can assist in that transition by offering scholarship programs that may include study partners, mandatory study hours and time management workshops. However, students must be academically focused to maintain good grades. -
Does hazing take place in Fraternities and Sororities?
The University has a NO HAZING policy. Hazing is considered by the Fraternity Executive Association to include any action that produces mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. The University of Detroit Mercy Code of Rights and Responsibilities states that no member of the University community may harass, threaten, coerce, abuse or harm any person.
Fraternities and sororities, athletic teams, and other student organizations, in their member recruitment, member development and activities are not excluded from these policies regardless of their own organization policies. At the same time, the University may support and act upon the hazing policies of each organization. Thus student organizations are bound by both University and its own policies regarding hazing.
Hazing policy statements are a required part of files for all Sorority & Fraternity, social and service organizations, and any other organization engaging in pledging potential members. Hazing allegations will be investigated and followed up by the University quickly and aggressively. This is presented in the University's Code of Conduct.
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By joining a Sorority or Fraternity are you just buying friends?
There are many reasons that this is extremely incorrect. For one thing, people often join fraternities because they want to be a part of a social network. Those interested in such things often have no need to buy friends. In any case, fraternities and sororities are full of brothers and sisters, not just friends. Brotherhood or Sisterhood is something earned, not purchased. The reason for dues is national insurance costs, national office costs, conference dues and chapter dues. -
After you graduate from college, can you still be a part of a Sorority or Fraternity ?
You cannot be considered an active member but the University encourages active alumni participation by Sorority or Fraternity members. Most organizations hold alumni events throughout the year. -
Is there special housing for fraternities?
Yes, Phi Kappa Theta and Sigma Pi offer housing. Check with the organization for more information.