Families
Families can play an important role in helping students make informed decisions about fraternity and sorority membership and navigate their experience once they join.
Fraternity & Sorority Life works with students, families, chapter leaders, advisors and inter/national organizations to support a safe, responsible and meaningful membership experience. Whether your student is considering joining or is already a member, we encourage you to ask questions, learn about their organization and stay connected throughout their experience.
On This Page
- Considering Membership
- Questions to Ask
- Cost of Membership
- Academics
- After Your Student Joins
- Safety & Hazing Prevention
- Who to Contact
Considering Membership
Fraternity and sorority membership can provide students with opportunities to build friendships, develop leadership skills, participate in service and philanthropy and become more connected to the university community.
Texas Tech's fraternity and sorority community includes organizations represented by four governing councils. Each council and organization has its own membership process, values, traditions, expectations and financial obligations.
Students do not need to have a family connection or legacy relationship with an organization to pursue membership.
Questions to Ask
Students should choose an organization based on where they feel comfortable, supported and aligned with the organization's values. Families can help by encouraging students to look beyond a single recruitment event or first impression.
Before joining, encourage your student to ask:
- What are the organization's values and expectations for members?
- What is the time commitment during the new member period and after initiation?
- What are the total costs of membership?
- Are payment plans or scholarships available?
- What academic expectations does the chapter have?
- What leadership, service and involvement opportunities are available?
- How does the chapter approach health, safety and risk management?
- Who are the chapter's advisors?
- What support does the inter/national organization provide?
Families should also learn which governing council the organization belongs to because recruitment and membership processes vary significantly among councils.
Cost of Membership
Fraternity and sorority membership includes a financial commitment. Costs vary by organization and may include local chapter dues, inter/national organization fees, council fees, social activities, philanthropy expenses and, for some organizations, facility-related costs.
The first semester may cost more because of one-time new member or initiation fees.
Before Committing
Students and families should understand the full financial commitment before accepting membership. Ask the organization:
- What is the total expected cost for the semester and academic year?
- Which expenses are included in dues?
- Are there additional optional or required expenses?
- When are payments due?
- Are payment plans available?
- Does the organization offer scholarships or financial assistance?
- Are housing or meal costs associated with membership?
Do not assume that an organization advertising lower base dues will necessarily have a lower total cost. Ask about all anticipated expenses before making a decision.
Academics
Academic success should remain a priority throughout a student's fraternity or sorority experience. Organizations may establish GPA requirements for joining and remaining an active member and may provide study programs, academic resources, tutoring or recognition for academic achievement.
Families should encourage students to understand both the university's academic expectations and any additional requirements established by their organization.
Community Grade Reports
Fraternity & Sorority Life publishes semester grade reports for the fraternity and sorority community. Historical grade reports are maintained in the FSL Archive.
After Your Student Joins
After joining, students generally participate in a new member education or membership intake process before becoming initiated members. The structure and length of this process vary by organization.
This can be a busy period as students balance academics, membership activities and other responsibilities. Membership should complement a student's college experience, not interfere with their health, safety or ability to succeed academically.
Stay Connected
Families can support students by maintaining open communication and asking about their experience. Encourage your student to talk about:
- How they are balancing academics and organization commitments
- What they are learning through the new member process
- Whether they feel respected and supported by other members
- How much time they are spending on organization activities
- Whether the experience matches what they were told before joining
- Any activities or expectations that make them uncomfortable
Many organizations also offer opportunities for families to become involved through family weekends, chapter events, service opportunities or alumni and family organizations.
Safety & Hazing Prevention
Hazing is prohibited at Texas Tech University. A student should never be expected to participate in an activity that causes physical or psychological harm, humiliation, intimidation or unreasonable risk as a condition of joining or maintaining membership in an organization.
Families are often among the first people to notice when a student's behavior or well-being changes. Pay attention if your student:
- Becomes unusually secretive about organization activities
- Appears exhausted or is consistently deprived of sleep
- Experiences unexplained injuries
- Shows a sudden decline in academic performance
- Withdraws from friends, family or usual activities
- Expresses fear about consequences for missing an activity
- Seems distressed about expectations placed on new members
- Is being asked to participate in activities they do not feel comfortable discussing
One warning sign does not necessarily mean hazing is occurring, but families should trust their concerns and ask questions. You do not need to determine whether conduct meets a formal definition of hazing before contacting the university.
Report a Concern
If you are concerned about your student's experience or the behavior of an organization, contact Fraternity & Sorority Life or submit a report to the university. Providing contact information can help university staff follow up with you if additional information is needed.
If there is an immediate threat to someone's health or safety, call 911.
Who to Contact
Your student may be able to resolve routine questions directly with chapter leadership. Depending on the issue, useful contacts may include:
Chapter President
General chapter operations, membership experience, safety concerns and chapter expectations.
New Member Educator
Questions about activities, schedules and expectations during the new member education process.
Chapter Treasurer
Dues, payment schedules, chapter charges and other financial obligations.
Chapter Advisor
Concerns requiring adult guidance, organizational context or assistance beyond student leadership.
Inter/National Organization
Organization-specific membership requirements, policies, standards and concerns involving the local chapter.
Fraternity & Sorority Life
University expectations, council questions, chapter concerns, safety issues and help determining the appropriate next step.
Contact Fraternity & Sorority Life
If you are unsure where to start, contact our staff. You do not need to know which university office or process applies before reaching out.
Fraternity & Sorority Life
Student Union Building, Room 024
Phone: 806.742.2403
Email: fsl@ttu.edu
Fraternity & Sorority Life
-
Address
Texas Tech University, Student Union Building 024, Lubbock, TX 79409 -
Phone
806.742.2403 -
Email
fsl@ttu.edu