Information for Parents & Families about Fraternity & Sorority Life
Welcome Parents & Families to Fraternity & Sorority Life at DePauw University
We appreciate your interest in fraternity and sorority life at DePauw. As a parent or family member, you are no doubt curious about the activities and organizations your student is involved with. It is our hope that, through this site, we can assist you in learning more about our fraternity and sorority community and what it means to be a member.
A student’s choice to join a fraternity or sorority is a personal one; parents and family members can assist in this decision-making though dialogue and general support. Students need to not only decide if fraternity and sorority life is for them, but then ultimately decide which organization best fits their interests, values and personality. Chapters are different from campus to campus, so what you may know about a certain organization may not be the case within DePauw’s fraternity and sorority community.
Encourage your student to make their own choice, but ultimately, the recruitment process is one of mutual selection. In other words, both your student and the organizations are making decisions about who will join which chapter. Most students join a chapter through the recruitment process, however some do not. Students who decide not to affiliate with a fraternal organization still find DePauw to be a welcoming place with many social, academic and service opportunities to enhance their collegiate experience.
Support should not end after the recruitment process. Your son or daughter will value your continued support throughout their fraternal experience. You can foster this support through asking questions, meeting their brothers or sisters, attending parents’ or family weekend activities as well as learning what you can about their fraternal experience as membership is likely to play a significant role in their DePauw experience.
If you have any questions about Fraternity & Sorority membership at DePauw University, please contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life by calling us at 765.658.4500 or via e-mail at fslife@depauw.edu.