FAQ

Greek Life or Fraternity and Sorority Life is a collective term referring to sororities and fraternities. Each organization is a group of students bound together by brotherhood or sisterhood and common goals/values/aspirations. Together these members learn, grow, serve, lead, and work to make their Greek-lettered organization thrive. 

All members join for a difference reason, but at its core members of the Greek Life community join for the leadership opportunities, the personal and professional development, friendships, civic engagement, and the lifelong commitment and alumni opportunities.

"Animal House", "Sydney White", "House Bunny", "Neighbors" and other movies featuring fraternities and sororities may be entertaining movies, but are not accurate. Movies and TV shows often over exaggerate stereotypes. At the heart of each organization are their core values of leadership, service, scholarship, and life long friendships. 

The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter. The fist semester of membership is about the equivalent of a 1-2 credit course; typically including a chapter member education program, a weekly chapter meeting, a sisterhood/brotherhood event and time for community service or philanthropy. Each organization can provide additional information about their time commitment. 

Chapters collect dues and membership fees from members. Most Greek-lettered organizations have higher one time fees to help cover the cost of initiation and the new member process. Dues help cover the cost of programming and vary depending on the organization. The financial obligation tends to range from $0 to $450/semester. All chapters offer payment plans and some offer scholarships to help members meet their financial obligations. 

Individual chapters elect student officers to manage the daily operations of the organization. Officers are often assisted by alumni advisors. Inter/national organizations have headquarters professional staff and volunteers to support, advise, and direct chapters. At UMD Rachel Kraus is the Greek Life Advisor is a resource for all Greek-lettered organizations on campus. 

Recruitment is an opportunity to meet each organization, get a glimpse of Greek Life and assess whether or not you would like to be part of the UMD Greek Community. You do not need to join a chapter at the the end of recruitment. 

UMD and Greek-lettered organizations do not offer official Greek Life/chapter housing. However, that doesn't stop members from living together. 

All Greek-lettered organizations are held accountable to local, state, university, governing council and national policies.

The University of Minnesota Duluth has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing. Greek Life shares the University's definition of hazing, "Hazing means any act taken on University property or in connection with any University-related group or activity that endangers the physical and/or mental health or safety of an individual (including, without limitation, an act intended to cause personal degradation or humiliation), or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation in, admission to, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization". 

Hazing can be reported to Kirby Student Center, the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, or the UMD Police Department. 

Yes! Chapters encourage their members to participate in other campus programs, sports, and clubs. Students often find out about other activities on campus through their Greek Life peers. It's also a good way to reach other potential members and show involvement and pride at UMD. The great part about being in Greek Life is often having people to join new clubs or intramural sports with. 

Each month a newsletter is sent out on what is going on in Greek Life at UMD. To read past newsletters check out the Resources page.