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SLIPPERY ROCK
UNIVERSITY
Parents Guide To Greek Life
DEAR PARENTS:
Students making the transition into college for the first time have
many new adjustments to make. This is also a time for parents and
guardians to make some adjustments along with their children.
Questions about almost every aspect of their new lives as college
students can be raised. Even more questions if he or she decides to
join a fraternity or sorority. Students who have already made the
transition into college life still have adjustments to make. Living
and working in new surrounding and with people with varied
backgrounds always takes some adjustments. Returning students are
also busy deciding career interests and which major to choose if
still undecided. While their son or daughter is overcoming new
challenges, parents must adjust also. Fraternities and sororities
exist as a proven support network for your son or daughter as he or
she starts this transition in life. The Greek experience can offer
a scholastic support system, hands on experience in leading
communities, managing budgets. Also with interacting with faculty
administrators, discussions with alumni, and through educational
programs, fraternities and sororities offer exposure to potential
careers. Members of fraternities and sororities have the chance to
give back to the community through service projects. Belonging to a
Greek organization creates close friends who will cheer you on when
you are successful and support you when times are
tough.
Grades and
Academics
At Slippery Rock University, each organization within the Greek
community promotes the high standards of academic excellence. Each
fraternity and sorority encourages scholastic achievement and
academic success. Academic support is offered through study hours,
scholarships, educational programs, tutorial programs, along with
awards and incentives rewarding those who strive to fulfill their
full academic potential. The Greek governance council requires a
minimum QPA for all members who seek to join a Greek organization.
While fraternities and sororities are concerned about academic
achievement of their new members, your student is still ultimately
responsible for utilizing the resources made available. Members of
Greek organizations are more likely to obtain a degree than
non-Greek students. The first focus for any student coming to
Slippery Rock University is education, which is why scholarship is
a main focus and priority within the Greek community.
Community
Service
Giving back to the community is another key aspect of fraternity
and sorority life at Slippery Rock University. Fraternity and
sorority members have dedicated more time and resources to
community service than and other organization on the Slippery Rock
Campus. Getting involved in community service is one of the most
gratifying aspects of Greek life. It provides members a sense of
satisfaction and pride for their community, campus, and themselves.
Such involvement includes organizing blood drives, donating money
to charities, volunteering at community events, helping with Toys
for Tots and Project Christmas Elf, and being a large support to
many campus and community wide events. In April of 2002, the Greek
community helped to raise over $4,000 for the American Cancer
Society’s relay for Life and over $3,500 for the
Make-A-Wish foundation. Each fraternity and sorority also have
their own special philanthropies and service projects. Community
service is a large part of the Greek experience at Slippery Rock
University, while giving an opportunity for students to get
involved in the community around them.
Leadership
Opportunities
The Greek community At Slippery Rock University offers numerous
opportunities for students to get involved in leadership roles. The
Greek community is democracy in action. Each fraternity and
sorority elects officers to run the daily operations of the
organization. A Greek Governance Council consisting of Greek
members presides of the fraternities and sororities. Each
organization has the opportunity to be represented at Greek
Governance Council meetings to have members on the Council.
Students can seek leadership roles within their own Greek
organization, on the Greek Governance council, or on both. The
Greek Community also promotes members to get involved within other
organizations on the Slippery Rock campus. This promotes a variety
of leadership opportunities in various different organizations with
different roles and responsibilities.
Friendship
Fraternity and sorority life gives one of the best opportunities
for incoming students to meet new people and make life long
friends. Joining a Greek organization provides students with an
opportunity interact with members of all ages, and meet people
within their Greek community and other student organizations.
Becoming a member of the Greek community also offers students a
network of support while making the transition to college life. The
Greek system provides members with a social life that includes
formal dinners and dances, picnics, Greek Week and Homecoming
events and many other opportunities to interact with fellow
students. Social activities such as these help students develop
interpersonal skills and self-confidence. Greek life provides a
sense of fellowship and belonging to students within the
organizations.
What About
Hazing?
Hazing is illegal in the state of Pennsylvania, whether it is
physical or mental. Slippery Rock University and the Greek
Governance Council do not condone any such activities. Both
Slippery Rock University and the Greek Governance Council offer and
promote Anti-Hazing Workshops and do not support or tolerate any
form of hazing. Hazing has no place in the Greek
community.
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