Welcome, K-State parents and families!
When I was an undergraduate at Kansas State University, I was a
member of the K-State Greek family, as were both of my children. I
recommend that each of you explore the opportunities that fraternity
and sorority membership offers at our university.
K-State has a proud Greek tradition. Year in and year out, K-State’s
Greek chapters thrive in Manhattan and make a difference in the
community. Our 47 Greek organizations encourage leadership,
academic excellence, service and lifelong friendship among their
members. Each year, fraternities and sororities contribute more
than $200,000 to philanthropic organizations, dedicate more than
30,000 hours of community service and donate approximately
three tons of food to worthy national, statewide and local charities.
As a parent or family member of a student joining our university
family, I hope that you will encourage your student to consider
Greek life as one of the many student organizations and organized
living options. The partnership between K-State and the Greek
community is something I am proud of and is a tradition worth
considering.
Best regards,
Pat J. Bosco, Ph.D.
Vice President for Student Life
Dean of Students
What are the benefits of membership?
What are the social opportunities for my student?
Many immediate benefits are received through membership, including numerous leadership
possibilities, social and philanthropic opportunities, academic encouragement and lifelong
friendships. When someone joins a fraternity or sorority, they not only become friends with
other members, but the families and friends of those members as well. Members are also
introduced to alumni of their organizations from all over the country. By joining a Greek letter
organization, a person can create an entire network of people, from which could possibly
come an employer, a spouse or a lifelong friend.
The social aspects of Greek life at Kansas State University add another unique facet
to a student’s college experience. Members of fraternities and sororities have frequent
opportunities to interact at sponsored events throughout the year, and within the past several
years, the Greek community has made a continued effort to offer students a safe social
environment. K-State has instituted social responsibility policies that aim to combine fun with
safety. The Greek organizations advocate responsible social functions and provide a variety
of activities for their members, including formal dances, date parties and chapter exchanges.
How can Greek life help my student succeed
academically?
What are the housing options for my student?
Academic achievement is a priority for all of our organizations. Many organizations enforce
grade point average requirements and offer study sessions, tutoring and other programs
to help members achieve their potential. Many chapters also provide incentives to their
members who excel in the classroom like recognition at meetings, reduced fees, national
awards and much more. Students who take advantage of the academic support available
and properly balance their time between academic and extracurricular pursuits will find that
Greek membership will enhance their academic performance.
How much will it cost?
What is Greek life?
Greek life is the collective term referring to the sororities and fraternities on a campus. Each
fraternity and sorority is a group of students bound together by brotherhood or sisterhood,
common goals and aspirations. Together these members learn, grow and make the Greek
organization stronger.
Going Greek at Kansas State University is an important decision for your student, and one
that you need to be comfortable with as well. If your student goes Greek, he or she will be part
of a 3,300-member self-governing community that provides a multitude of opportunities for
both personal and professional development. Greek life will help lead your student to a bright,
successful future.
Fraternity and sorority chapters have always been self-sufficient organizations. Chapters
collect dues and membership fees from every member, and most groups have one-time
initiation fees, plus semester dues. Dues are spent on philanthropic and social events,
scholarship programming, membership recruitment and parent/alumni programming. Most
chapters offer payment plans and scholarships to help their members meet their financial
obligations. Historically, room and board costs for many chapters with facilities are less than
that of university residence halls. For more information about fraternity and sorority costs,
visit our website: k-state.edu/greek.
How much time does Greek membership require?
Like most other extracurricular activities, how much your student gets out of their Greek
membership is related to how much they put in to it. On average, expect your student to
contribute four hours per week for meetings and mandatory activities. Optional activities
such as holding an office, attending social events, playing on an intramural sports team or
helping out with various projects will take additional time. With good time management, your
student’s Greek activities will easily fit into their weekly schedule and allow plenty of time for
classes, studying, work and participation in other campus activities.
At K-State, 32 fraternities and sororities have a chapter house. All of our sorority houses
and almost half of our fraternity houses are alcohol free. A majority of our houses are
supported by a house director who serves as a host to the chapter and helps with the
general management of the facility.
Housing for fraternity men and sorority women differs:
• Fraternity men move into the chapter house during their freshman year or first year of
membership. They will continue living in the house for two or three years based on live-in
requirements and available space.
• Sorority women typically do not live in the chapter house until their sophomore year.
New members live in the residence halls or apartments during their freshman year or first
year of membership, and then move into the chapter home.
All of the chapter houses are complete residential facilities offering a meal plan and
parking. Greek chapter houses are all privately owned and are not university property.
Many chapters offer a virtual house tour or photographs on their websites. The
multicultural fraternities and sororities are not housed.
What about hazing?
You may have heard about hazing in the media. Hazing is a violation of the university
policy and state law. University judicial charges can be brought forth for individual students
and/or organizations accused of hazing. The Office of Greek Affairs works closely with the
governing councils to educate Greek members on these policies. All new Greek members/
students are also required to sign an agreement against hazing activities. For a full list
of anti-hazing policies, please visit our website: k-state.edu/greek. If you ever feel your
student may have been hazed or harassed by a Greek fraternity or sorority at K-State,
contact the Office of Greek Affairs at 785-532-5546 immediately.
All chapters are recognized student
organizations through the Office of
Student Activities and Services.
The Greek community
consists of 47 fraternities
and sororities, with a total
membership of more than
3,300 undergraduate students.
Most chapters are governed by their
respective governing body: Interfraternity
Council, Panhellenic Association and the
National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Nine fraternities and
sororities have a
multicultural emphasis.
How can I get involved as a parent or family member?
Follow us on Twitter
Interfraternity Council: @KStateIFC, Panhellenic Association: @KStatePHA
Find us on Facebook
facebook.com/KStateGreekAffairs
3424
Website: k-state.edu/greek
Phone: 785-532-5546
Email: greek@k-state.edu
214 K-State Student Union
Manhattan, KS 66506
Office of Greek Affairs
214 K-State Student Union Manhattan, KS 66506
Office of Greek Affairs
contact info
Division of Student Life
There are many ways that you as a parent or family member can get involved in your
student’s Greek experience. Many chapters have Family Day, Mom’s Weekend and Dad’s
Weekend events where they invite the parents and families of all members who can come
and participate in social events and activities. These events are a great way for you to meet
the parents and families of other chapter members. Some chapters also have organizations
for parents to join, such as a parents association, a mom’s club or a dad’s club.
7645-62425-6/12-710
• Learn as much as you can about the K-State Greek community and the fraternities
or sororities that interest your student.
• Ask questions about what the organizations will offer your student to make
the best decision for him or her. Fraternities and sororities are different on every campus,
so allow your student to choose the group with whom they feel most comfortable.
•Keep an open mind. Your college experience may have been different than your
student’s.
• Discuss the financial obligations with your student. Determine who will pay for what
and the limits those expenses may include. Joining a fraternity or sorority is a lifetime
commitment, both financially and personally.
• Above all, be supportive.
Notice of nondiscrimination
Kansas State University is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, or other nonmerit reasons, in admissions, educational programs or activities and employment (including
employment of disabled veterans and veterans of the Vietnam Era), as required by applicable laws and regulations. Responsibility for coordination of compliance efforts and receipt of inquiries concerning Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the
Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, has been delegated to Clyde Howard, Director of Affirmative Action, Kansas State University,
214 Anderson Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506–0124, (Phone) 785-532-6220; (TTY) 785-532-4807.
What can I do as a parent or family member?