Parents Guide

to

Fraternities and Sororities at the University of Kentucky

Welcome to the University of Kentucky community! Entering college will be an exciting and challenging time in both your and your student's life. We believe that the challenges and rewards of collegiate life can be greatly enhanced through becoming the positive influences and opportunities available when one becomes a part of the Greek community.

Among the vast student population, sorority and fraternity members become a part of a smaller group that works to achieve common goals. Sororities and fraternities strive to achieve the greatest potential from each individual member, utilizing each person's talents and addressing individual needs. Greek-letter organizations give individuals a more well-rounded collegiate experience while fostering leadership and academic success. In choosing the Universtiy of Kentucky and the Greek community, your student is choosing an outstanding institution of higher education and a Greek community that is recognized as one of the best in the nation.

Susan West 

Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, Assistant Dean of Students

Please feel free to contact Susan at 859-257-3151.

Some Questions You May Have...

Won't a fraternity or sorority have an adverse effect on my student's grades?

Actually, it's more likely that a fraternity or sorority will help your student's grades. The proof is in the results. The all-Greek grade point average at UK is higher than the non-Greek average. Why the difference?

When a student joins a fraternity or sorority, he or she become a part of a larger group of students who have already made it through their first year at UK. Not only does this group understand what a first-year student is faceing, but they can also provide assistance in most of the courses your student will be taking. There are few other places where a student can gain access to the variety of resources that the Greek community can provide.

Ultimately, the responsibility for succeeding in the classroom is the individual student's. With the broad range of resources available within the Greek community, however, students are more likely to achieve their academic potential.

Aren't fraternities and sororities expensive?

Contrary to popular belief, fraternities and sororities are not just for the "rich" people. Though joining a Greek organization does carry a financial commitment, that commitment is typically less than what a student would spend on housing, food and entertainment as a non-member. For sororities, the average cost per semester range is from $2600 to $3664. This number assumes the student is living in the fraternity or sorority house. This compares to students living in UK residence halls which cost will range between $2822 and $3764 for rent (including $1057 for food) each semster.  Using a conservative estimate of $500 for entertainment brings the total semester cost ranging from $3322 to $4264.  If rent and food are not included, the average cost ranges from $535 to $896 for each eactive semester.  The first semester of membership is usually more expensive than the second because of one time initiation costs.  You can expect to pay between $795 and $1270 during the first semester of membership which would include one chapter meal a week.

Todays Sororities and Fraternities May Surprise You...

National research projects conducted by the Center for Advanced Social Research at the University of Missouri provide data on why memberhsip in a fraternity or sorority may be a beneficial choice for your student.

Following graduation, Greek-affiliated alumni have higher average incomes than non-Greek alumni.

Even when accounting for parents' educational levels, graduation year, and gender, students who were affiliated with fraternities and sororities have significantly higher average incomes following graduation.

Students who join fraternities and all sororities are more likely to return to college the following year.

Students who return to college will be to complete their degree programs and graduate. Students who join fraternities and sororities are 28% more likely to return to school the following year than students who choose not to join a fraternity or sorority.

Following graduation, Greek-affiliated alumni are involved in more civic organizations and contribute more financially to charitable organizations than non-Greek alumni.

Fraternity and sorority involvement correlates positively with citizen involvement and charitable giving later in life.