University of Michigan - Flint

Coming to college is one of the major life changes that your son/daughter will go through. Joining a fraternity or sorority will help make the transition easier. The Greek experience is multifaceted and offers numerous opportunities to your student. Developing life-long friendships with the members in their chapter and other Greek organizations helps make campus life a little easier. For many students, these organizations become a home away from home. In addition to the brother/sisterhood, every chapter is dedicated to enhancing leadership, scholarship, and philanthropy/service through various programs and opportunities. It will be up to your student to determine the level of involvement they want to have in the organization and what kind of experience it will be for them.

Your student will make friendships with other members that will last a lifetime.  In addition, Greeks have national networks for its members to use for securing jobs and advancing careers. Joining now is an investment in your student’s future as they will reap the benefits now and for a lifetime. Wherever a member ends up after college, chances are he/she will be able to find other members of the same fraternity/sorority.

Students often find managing their time difficult when moving from the highly structured high school environment to the freedom of challenge. Greek membership assists in that transition by offering academic programs that may include study partners, mandatory study hours, and time management and study skill workshops.

Unfortunately, individuals without complete information often define the image of Greek life. Since only 2% of the U.S. population is Greek, most people don’t have first-hand experience and stereotypes are the norm. Greek organizations do hold social events, but most of these do not include alcohol. These “social” events include educational programs/workshops, community service events, intramural sports,  Homecoming, Spirit Week, Greek Week and other events in addition to parties, mixers, and dances. Today’s Greek communities across the nation have adopted a stringent approach to socializing thereby creating a safer, more beneficial environment for its members. There are strict guidelines and procedures concerning the availability of alcohol at chapter events, and these rules are enforced by the inter/national organizations, the University, and by internal chapter standards.

The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter, but the first semester of membership is most time intensive as the new member goes through the chapter’s Education 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 and tradition of the organization, develop friendships with their new member class as well as the rest of the chapter, and allow them to become involved in other activities and organizations. After the initiation into the chapter, expectations will vary. Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other mandatory events (philanthropies, service, initiation) throughout the year, but they are generally planned in advance. The majority of UM-Flint Greek students attends class full-time, work, and are active in their chapter! The important thing to remember, is the more your student puts in to the chapter, the more they will get out of being a member!

The perception that fraternities and sororities are only an option for “rich” students is widespread and false. Greek organizations are very affordable and fees go to services that will positively impact your child. Each chapter is self-supported through dues charged to all members. In the first year of membership, a few one-time expenses are assessed. First semester costs run a little higher, but will go down the following semester.  Average dues for IFC and NPC fraternities and sororities average $200-$250 a semester. Dues for NPHC organizations have a higher first-semester cost, but reduce substantially and vary from organization to organization. Some organization also have payment plans that can be arranged to reduce and ease that financial responsibility.

The University of Michigan-Flint has a zero tolerance stance on hazing and enforces its policies rigorously. If you believe your child is being hazed, please contact the Coordinator of Greek Life, Jessie Hurse IMMEDIATELY at 810.762.3431 or by email at jhurse@umflint.edu.

Students elected to officer positions manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. These officers are assisted by members serving on committees, so everyone is involved in and exposed to leadership positions. Each member learns cooperation, communication, and planning skills. Alumni act as advisers, and some chapters have alumni advisory boards that work with its members. Each group is governed by its inter/national headquarters, which established their chapter’s regulations, and offers advice and direction through professional staff and volunteers.

The Coordinator of Greek Life, is the UM-Flint's professional staff liaison to the Greek community, offering support, advice and guidance to governing councils, chapter officers, advisers, and members.