Your Role as a Parent

What is my role as a parent?

• Encourage your son or daughter to attend as many campus events as possible during the fall semester. Being involved is the best way to meet active Greek members and learn about their chapters. Involvement in other student organizations is looked favorably upon during the membership selection process of Greek organizations.
• Students need support throughout the process of recruitment/intake and new member education. Be supportive and learn as much as you can about Greek life by asking questions of your student as he or she meets members in fraternities and sororities.
• Keep an open mind . . . Greek 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 son or daughter.
• 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 The George Washington University. Let your son or daughter choose the group that he or she feels the most comfortable joining.
• Talk to your son or daughter 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 The George Washington University is competitive. Not everyone who wants to be Greek will receive a bid.
• Do not become too involved in the sorority and fraternity recruitment/intake process. This is your son or daughter's decision.
• 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 go Greek.
• Keep the Office of Greek Life contact information on hand if you have any questions or concerns about Greek Life at The George Washington University.