1.) What is being involved in a fraternity or sorority all about?

Knowing what you have seen on television and read in the local newspaper, the reality is that those are extreme cases of fraternity and sorority life. What the media will not tell you as a parent is that there are many life-long benefits to membership in fraternities and sororities. At a college like CNU, membership in a fraternity or sorority offers a small community of friends away from home. Additionally, national research has shown that involvement in fraternities and sororities increases students' chances of graduating from college. As a life-long member of a fraternity or sorority, students are offered the opportunity to develop as leaders, serve the community, and focus on academics, as well as their careers, by connecting with local alumni members of Greek organizations.

2.) My child is considering joining a fraternity or sorority, what advice should I give them?

Since joining a fraternity or sorority is a life-long commitment, and there is an expense associated with membership, it should be a joint decision between student and parent. Consider sitting down with your son or daughter and researching all of the organizations that are available to join. Utilizing local chapter and national websites are a great, convenient way to gather information. Feel free to contact students who are currently involved and their parents and ask them about their experience. In most cases, both students and parents will speak candidly about their Greek involvement. Lastly, most groups have a local volunteer advisor or advisory board who can answer specific questions or share additional information.

3.) As an educated consumer, what questions should my son/daughter and I be asking before he/she joins a fraternity or sorority?

• What is expected of someone who is a new member of a fraternity/sorority?
• What is expected of fraternity/sorority members after they are initiated?
• What leadership opportunities are available to students as both new members and active members?
• Does the chapter perform hands-on community service? If so, how often and where?
• What is the semesterly/annual expense associated with membership? How does this vary as a new member?
• What type of member is the chapter looking for?
• What values does this organization promote?
• Is the organization officially recognized by the university? If not, why is this the case?

4.) I am not Greek, how can I learn more about it?

In addition to the CNU Greek Life website, the following websites can help you learn more about Greek Life beyond this campus:

• www.nicindy.org
• www.npcwomen.org
• www.nphchq.org

5.) What are the safety risks associated with membership in a fraternity or sorority?

It can be perceived that fraternity or sorority membership may compromise a student's safety and well-being. This certainly is not the case. In order to be recognized by CNU and maintain membership in Panhellenic, IFC, or NPHC, all Greek organizations are required to follow alcohol and risk management policies in accordance with the state law of Virginia as well as university policies and procedures. These are enforced by both university administrators and members of fraternities and sororities themselves. In addition, the fraternity/sorority councils ensure that the chapters are promoting a safe environment for its members.

Hazing is both against university policy and state law. The Christopher Newport University hazing policy states:

Hazing is a criminal offense in the Commonwealth of Virginia . Hazing is a serious violation of University policy and is prohibited in all forms. This policy is based upon the proposition that students are entitled to be treated with consideration and respect at all times. It applies to all student organizations and individuals. Concurrently, the NCAA North American Interfraternity Conference, the National Panhellenic Conference and the National Pan-Hellenic Council state unequivocally that hazing has no place in the collegiate organizations they govern. In determining whether a specific behavior violates the hazing policy, consideration will be given to the behavior's relationship to the University's mission and purpose.

Hazing is defined as any mental or physical requirement, request, or obligation placed upon any person which could cause discomfort, pain, fright, disgrace, injury, or which is personally degrading, or which violates any federal, state, local statute or University policy, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding. Examples include, but are not limited to, tests of endurance, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced or encouraged calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced or encouraged consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, exposure of members or prospective members to potentially dangerous or hazardous circumstances, activities that have a foreseeable potential for resulting in personal injury, such as drop-offs, or any activity which by its nature is so profound that it would have a potential to cause severe mental anxiety or distress, such as sleep deprivation, forced or encouraged exclusion from social contact, forced or encouraged conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, panic, degradation, or any other forced or encouraged activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the student.

The officers, principally the president or chairperson of each organization, are responsible for informing members and prospective members of this hazing policy each semester. The Office of Student Activities and the Center for Honor Enrichment & Community Standards are excellent resources regarding hazing behavior and prevention. Violations of the hazing policy should be reported to the Director of the Center for Honor Enrichment & Community Standards.

Hazing is not tolerated in any form at Christopher Newport University . If you have a question about this policy, would like to report a potential hazing incident, or would like to report risky behavior in a fraternity or sorority please contact Leah Eickhoff, Assistant Director of Student Activities, at leah.dooley@cnu.edu or 757-594-7260 .

Special thanks to Ohio State University for portions of this content.