麻豆区

Parents and families are key partners in a student's commitment to higher education. The fraternity and sorority experience may be something completely new to the families of students or something very different from an older family member's own experience. If your student has expressed interest in joining a fraternity or sorority at Dickinson, you may have questions. You may contact the Office of Campus Life or Assistant Director for Campus Activities, Sophie Bisbal, at bisbals@dickinson.edu or (717) 245-1103.

Our Fraternities and Sororities

Campus Life oversees the 10 social Greek-letter organizations on Dickinson's campus. For more information, you can visit the national headquarters' websites. Our chapters include:

Fraternities

• , , ., 

Sororities

• Delta Nu (local chapter), , , , ,  

Unrecognized Organizations

Any other social Greek-letter organizations besides the ones listed above are currently unrecognized by 麻豆区 and/or their inter/national organization. Participation in organizations that have had their recognition suspended or revoked by the College is prohibited and is a violation of the Community Standards. These violations may result in individual sanctions up to and including suspension from the College. 

What are fraternities and sororities?

Fraternities and sororities now occupy a place in American popular culture, but they are much more than the stereotypes portrayed in movies and television. Fraternities and sororities are organizations made up of groups of students that have bonded together and agreed to live out the values espoused by their founders, their creed and the national organization. Fraternities and sororities are values-based social organizations, meaning they subscribe to a specific set of core values and beliefs and incorporate concepts such as brotherhood/sisterhood, community service, scholarship, leadership, and building relationships into their daily actions. 

The Recruitment Process

Students at 麻豆区 cannot go through the recruitment process until their second semester first-year (transfer students need to have completed three Dickinson credits). This is known as deferred recruitment to allow students to find their footing on campus before being recruited. If your student is going through a recruitment process for a social fraternity or sorority in their first semester, this is likely an unrecognized organization on campus and is in violation of the Community Standards. Please remember that the recruitment process is mutually selective, meaning that the organization must be interested in your student for membership, as well as your student interested in the organization. For more information on the recruitment processes for our organizations, please see the section "Information on Joining" for on our  page. 

Financial responsibility

Each organization has annual membership dues which support chapter operations. In addition, your student will likely be charged an initiation fee, along with semesterly or yearly dues, to maintain membership with the organization.  Generally, dues range from $250-$650 per semester, though some could be higher. Your student should ask about the financial expectations of the chapter during the recruitment process. 

New Member Education

Once your child accepts a bid for membership and the recruitment period ends, they will begin what is known as "New Member Education." Each of the organization's New Member Education plans and schedules are reviewed and approved by the office of Campus Life at the beginning of the semester and includes a core curriculum to help the student understand the chapter that they are joining. If there are concerns about your student's New Member Education process, please reach out to the office of Campus Life or the Department of Public Safety. 

The New Member Education process at 麻豆区 is limited to a maximum of four weeks. For more information on hazing, please visit our . Any student or family that feels they are being hazed or has witnessed hazing is encouraged to report hazing to the Department of Public Safety or by using their anonymous tip . 

Benefits

Being a member of a social Greek-letter organization offers access to a larger network of sisterhood or brotherhood nationally and internationally. Fraternities and sororities are values-based organizations, meaning they are each guided by their own set of values that include, but are not limited to, friendship, service, tradition, leadership, scholarship, philanthropy, and fostering connections with the larger chapter and its alumni. Our organizations often host study nights, peer tutoring, and espouse a strong commitment to their academic goals. 

Traditions of Secrecy

While some parents or guardians who are familiar with the system might not view this aspect of fraternity and sorority life as particularly concerning, many of the stereotypes surrounding Greek Life make the issue of secret societies worrisome for those who are not familiar with it. For parents or guardians with no prior involvement or experience with FSL organizations, several aspects of the organizations' membership knowledge and traditions remain unknown to them.

Fraternity and sorority rituals and secrets are not intended to create divisions within the Greek community. Instead, they are designed to foster common bonds and shared values among members. These rituals and secrets are not meant to be an elitist doctrine that separates people based on their membership in an organization. For some organizations, the official reveal of their new members is a ceremony with great pride and tradition and should be respected as such. 

What should I look out for as a parent/guardian?

Hazing should not be a part of the New Member Education process in any way. However, it is important to engage with your child to watch for possible signs of hazing. For example, if they mention attending late-night events, not getting enough sleep, doing favors for other members, skipping classes, or experiencing a decline in grades, contact the Campus Life office or the Department of Public Safety immediately, or file a report . Although this list is not exhaustive and these signs do not always indicate hazing, it's important to stay vigilant. For more information on hazing and hazing prevention, please see Dickinson's full hazing policy here.