Supporting your Student's Experience
We understand your important role in your student’s Penn State journey. The fraternity and sorority life community welcomes families into the conversation—offering transparency, guidance, and connection as your student explores leadership, service, and belonging.
A Community of Support and Belonging
For many students, these organizations become a home away from home. Joining a fraternity or sorority means becoming part of a close-knit group of peers who share a commitment to:
- Scholarship: Members are dedicated to academic excellence and often benefit from study groups and mentorship.
- Leadership: Students take on leadership roles that build confidence and skills.
- Service: Each chapter is committed to philanthropy and service to the local community.
- Character: Chapters help students develop personal responsibility, integrity, and respect.
Want to learn more?
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life host information sessions during Family Weekend and virtual sessions closer to the start of formal recruitment. These sessions provide community overviews, an introduction to the recruitment process, and shares resources to stay engaged and informed.
Helping Your Student Stay Safe
At Penn State, we are deeply committed to fostering a safe, supportive, and inclusive community. We believe families play a vital role in reinforcing positive behaviors and helping students make healthy, informed choices—especially when it comes to joining student organizations like fraternities and sororities. One of the most important ways to support your student is by talking with them about the dangers of hazing and high-risk behaviors. Keeping the lines of communication open can make all the difference.
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It’s important to check in regularly with your student about their social life and the groups they’re involved in. Students who join unrecognized student organizations are at increased risk for experiencing hazing and other unsafe behaviors.
- Unrecognized groups are not affiliated with Penn State and operate independently of any university policies or oversight. That means they are not subject to our safety regulations, conduct standards, or support resources. These groups often seem legitimate, have support of their national organizations and are not transparent with their status.
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You can help by encouraging your student to:
- Learn the signs of hazing
- Understand their rights and the resources available
- Feel empowered to say “no” to harmful or dangerous activities
- Speak up or report anything concerning
Penn State offers a range of trainings, resources, and reporting tools to help students recognize and respond to hazing and misconduct. If your student shares concerns, or if you observe something concerning, we encourage you to report it directly. The more details you provide, the more effectively we can respond.
Love, Mom and Dad
What is my role as a parent?
Students need support throughout the process of recruitment/intake and new member education. Be supportive and learn as much as you can about fraternity and sorority life by asking questions of your student as he or she meets members in fraternities and sororities.
- Keep an open mind. Fraternity and sorority life is not for everyone. Just because you may have been a fraternity or sorority member doesn't mean that it is the right choice for your student.
- Fraternities and sororities are different on every campus. Groups that may have been strong on the campus where you attended school may not have the same reputation at Penn State. Let your student choose the group that he or she feels the most comfortable joining.
- Talk to your student about dangerous behaviors that come with alcohol misuse. Alcohol misuse can lead to poor academic performance and lower grades. Reiterate that underage drinking is illegal and a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
- According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, half of all sexual assaults in the United States involve alcohol consumption by the perpetrator, the victim, or both. Penn State is committed to fostering an environment free from sexual or gender-based harassment or misconduct. Resources can be found online.
- Have frank conversations with your son or daughter about activities that may occur in a group situation, such as hazing, that make them uncomfortable or put them or others at risk. There are many avenues for reporting misconduct at Penn State. Be sure to discuss the importance of bystander intervention with your student.
- Talk to the student beforehand about the financial obligation. Determine who will pay for what and where the limits are.
- Know that the system of fraternity/sorority recruitment at Penn State is competitive. Not everyone who wants to be in a fraternity or sorority will receive a bid.
- Do not become too involved in the sorority and fraternity recruitment/intake process, this is your student's decision. There will be plenty of activities and events for you to attend or even help plan once your student joins one of our organizations.
- Too often, parents do not allow their students to fight their own battles. It helps the student mature and gain some assertiveness when allowed to call various offices if they have questions or concerns about their decision to join a fraternity or sorority.
Frequently Asked Questions
We know families play an important role in a student’s Penn State journey. This FAQ helps parents and guardians understand what fraternity and sorority life looks like on campus—how recruitment works, what safety measures are in place, and how organizations support student growth and well-being. Explore answers to common questions and learn how to stay informed, connected, and confident as your student builds their Penn State experience.
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Sororities and fraternities serve as a great resource for students academically through study hours and tutoring programs. Most chapters require a high grade-point average for initial membership into the organization. All chapters at Penn State are required to hold a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5. However, many of our chapters pride themselves on their outstanding academic achievements and hold grade point averages much higher than the minimum requirement.
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In the recent past, fraternities and sororities operated under a self-governance model with the belief that it was a growth opportunity for students, who would learn, develop, and mature through these leadership opportunities by overseeing their own operations. However, to increase the safety for members and others on campus, the University instituted a number of new measures, which include University oversight of the fraternity and sorority organizational misconduct and disciplinary process. Other measures include strict social restrictions and monitoring of social events by University staff members.
The Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council, Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) serve as the governing bodies for fraternity and sorority chapters on campus, helping to unify and oversee the groups, and serve as a link to campus, community, and University administration.Fraternities and sororities at Penn State, as at most colleges and universities in the United States, are considered private, independent, social entities that freely associate and determine their own membership. Individual chapters elect officers to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. These officers are assisted by alumni, chosen by the chapters, who act as advisers.
In cases where there are fraternity houses, those dwellings are located off campus and are generally privately owned by the organization's alumni board or other third-party landlord.
Each chapter is responsible to its Inter/national organization, which offers support, advice, and direction through paid professional staff and regional volunteers. The professional staff in Penn State’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life serve as advisers to the four governing councils and serve as the primary contacts with the University for the fraternity and sorority community.
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Sororities and fraternities have a rich history at Penn State dating back to the 1870s. These organizations are rooted in founding principles that foster academic achievement, student involvement, community service, and life-long friendships. Fraternities and sororities are groups of students who come together to form a personal network of individuals with similar ideas, interests, and a mutual pursuit of a well-rounded college education. Advantages include:
- A support group to help make the adjustment to college easier
- Scholastic resources to help student achieve their academic goals
- Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experience
- Encouragement to get involved and maximize their potential on campus
- Opportunities for active participation in community service projects
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Hazing has no place at Penn State. It is against Pennsylvania law and strictly prohibited by the University. Penn State maintains a zero-tolerance policy for hazing of any kind, especially when it involves alcohol, physical harm, or emotional distress. When violations occur, organizations risk immediate loss of University recognition, and individuals involved may face serious disciplinary action.
But creating a culture free of hazing requires all of us. Penn State can only act on what is reported—and every report helps protect students and strengthen our community. If you believe your student may be involved in or impacted by hazing, contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life right away. All concerns are handled with discretion and care.
- Learn more about Hazing Prevention at Penn State or explore reporting options to help keep our community safe.
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There is a financial commitment associated with a joining a fraternity or sorority. The fees go toward the Inter/Nationals chapter operating expenses and social functions. Financial obligations differ among individual chapters.
- New members can expect to pay higher dues their first semester than in subsequent semesters.
- Additional costs throughout the semester will go toward chapter meal plans, pictures, gifts, t-shirts, etc. While the student is participating in the recruitment process, encourage him/her to ask about the financial obligations of membership.
- The University has also instituted a semesterly membership fee for all individual members: $90 for Interfraternity and Panhellenic Council members and $30 for Multicultural Greek and National Pan-Hellenic Council members. This fee supports increased safety initiatives and resources as well as educational activities.
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The fraternity and sorority community at Penn State is making serious efforts to create a more responsible and safe environment for its members at social events. All fraternities and sororities have strict policies regulating the consumption of alcohol for underage members and guests, and all organizations are held accountable for violations of their respective governing council's social policy by the University and the council.