Welcome parents! This page of the Greek Life website is dedicated to informing and supporting parents or family members of Samford Greeks. The Samford Greek community is like no other. Samford Greeks are faithful in their endeavors in the classroom and out. We hope you are informed by how our community is purposeful by giving back and taking on leadership opportunities on campus and in the Birmingham area. Lastly, we most of all want to provide you with authentic and real facts to better equip you to support your Samford Greek.
Parent’s Role
- Students need support throughout the process of recruitment/intake and new member period. Be supportive and involved by learning as much as you can about Greek life by asking questions of your student as he or she meets members in fraternities and sororities.
- Keep an open mind . . . Greek life is not for everyone. Just because you may have been a fraternity or sorority member doesn’t mean that it is the right choice for your son or daughter.
- Encourage your son or daughter to keep an open mind about each organization that they come into contact with. Fraternities and sororities are different on every campus. Let your son or daughter choose the group that he or she feels the most comfortable joining.
- Talk to your son or daughter beforehand about the financial obligation. Determine who will pay for what and where the limits are.
- Understand that the fraternity/sorority recruitment at Samford is competitive, and not everyone who wants to be Greek will find a chapter that fits them.
- Do not become overly involved in the sorority and fraternity recruitment/intake process; this is your son or daughter’s decision. There will be plenty of activities and events for you to attend or even help plan once your student joins one of our organizations.
- Too often, parents do not allow their students to “fight their own battles.” It helps the student mature and gain assertiveness when allowed to call various offices if they have questions or concerns about their decision to go Greek.
- Keep the Office of Greek Life contact information on hand. If you have any questions or concerns about Greek Life at Samford feel encouraged to contact our office. email: greeklife@samford.edu, office: 205-726-4221
Frequently Asked Questions
How will my student benefit from joining a fraternity or sorority?
Fraternities and sororities are rooted in founding principles that foster academic achievement, student involvement, community service, and life-long friendships. Advantages include:
- A support group to help ease the adjustment to college.
- Scholastic resources to help students achieve their academic goals.
- Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experience.
- Encouragement to get involved, stay involved and maximize their potential on campus.
- Opportunities for active participation in community service projects.
Furthermore, national studies conducted annually consistently indicate that students who choose to join Greek-letter organizations experience many positive benefits, including the following:
- Greek students are more likely to stay in college than non-Greek students.
- College graduates who belong to a sorority or fraternity tend to be more financially successful than other college graduates.
- Greek alumni give both more money and more frequently to their alma maters than non-Greek alumni.
- Greek students are more active on campus and in community activities. Upon graduation, these members are also more likely to get involved in volunteer and charitable organizations.
What is the financial obligation?
Like some opportunities for involvement in college there is a financial commitment associated with a joining a fraternity or sorority. The costs go toward the Inter/National fees, chapter operating expenses, and social functions. Financial obligations differ among individual chapters, as well as living in or out of a chapter house. New members can expect to pay higher dues their first semester than in subsequent ones. While your son or daughter is participating in the recruitment process, make sure that he or she asks about the financial obligations of membership.
The following costs are a range and depend on which chapter your student joins.
NPHC: $1,000 - $3,000 (all money is asked up front)
IFC: $450 - $1200
Panhellenic: $800 - $1,000 first semester
Is hazing a part of the Greek culture at Samford?
Hazing is not tolerated. If you sense your student may be participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity or sorority, you should contact the Office of Greek Lie or Office of Student Values. Calls will be handled in an immediate and discreet manner.
Who is actually in charge of the fraternities and sororities?
Individual chapters elect officers to manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. These officers are assisted by alumni who act as advisors. Each chapter is also responsible to report with their Inter/national organization, which offers support, advice, and direction through paid professional staff and regional volunteers. At Samford, the Director of Greek Life serves as the primary contact for the Greek community.
What is Recruitment/Intake?
Chapters on Samford’s campus practice either recruitment or Intake. There are two forms of recruitment, formal and informal. Formal recruitment is held prior in the beginning few weeks of the fall semester each year for IFC and Panhellenic groups. The formal process allows your son or daughter to explore the full range of student organizations and activities. However, throughout the remainder of the calendar year, both men and women will have the opportunity to meet and interact with fraternity and sorority members. The Membership Intake process to join an NPHC organization occurs at various times throughout the year at the discretion of each organization. It is heavily encouraged that students do extensive research into the NPHC organizations by visiting their web sites and reading historical documents about each group, prior to contacting the respected organization. NPHC Greek Speak will take place early each semester to provide education for chapter requirements for all Samford chapters.
What is pledging?
All fraternity and sorority members experience a period of orientation. During this time, your student and other new members will participate in weekly meetings to learn about the university and the fraternity/sorority history, leadership retreats, community service projects, and activities designed to build friendships among new members (pledges/associates/candidates) and the initiated members. ALL FRATERNITY AND SORORITY POLICIES FORBID HAZING, and are committed to a membership education period that instills a sense of responsibility and commitment in the new members. This period will assist your student in overcoming some of the concerns about success in college. Samford requires all education processes to be complete within 10 weeks.
What is a philanthropy or service project?
Greek members take it as part of their mission to support their national philanthropies (non-for-profit causes) financially and physically. Throughout the year, each the chapter spends time fundraising and volunteering to help their particular philanthropy. Some of the philanthropies that have been supported by Samford Greek chapters are: Relay for Life, Samford Gives Back, Birmingham Zoo, The Lakeshore Foundation, Christ City Church, Love Lady Thrift Store, Cornerstone Schools of Alabama, Magic City Wood Works, Mobile Pantry, First Light, North Star Youth Ministries, CHIPS Center, Christian Service Mission, Lakeshore Trail Clean ups, Walk M.S. Birmingham, Julia’s Place Donation Drive, Boys and Girls Club of America Tutoring, Ronald McDonald House, Birmingham Community Kitchen, American Heart Association, SafeHouse of Shelby County, and Dance Away Diabetes. The time spent together on these events is one of the many times that fraternity brothers and sorority sisters can bond, while making a difference in someone’s life.
How will joining a chapter now benefit my student after college?
The life long friendships your student will make through their chapter can last into post-college years. Membership in a chapter can be a life-long experience. Joining now is really an investment in your student’s future. Wherever a member ends up after college, chances are he/she will be able to find an alumni chapter or other members of their fraternity or sorority in the area. In addition, Greeks have national networks for its members that could be helpful in finding jobs or internships. Alumni also have the opportunity to serve as mentors through advisory boards for collegiate chapters.
What can I do as a parent or family member?
Be supportive, and learn as much as you can by asking your student questions before they join. Many groups will provide written statements concerning activities, finances, and policies; your student should be encouraged to obtain and read this information. In addition, allow your student to make their own choice (especially if you yourself were Greek). Your support should not end after the recruitment period but continue throughout your student’s years in school. Once your student joins a chapter, take advantage of the Mom’s and Dad’s weekend activities and during the fall participate in Samford’s Family Weekend. These are great opportunities for you to see your student interacting with their chapter members, and one more way for you to spend time with your student.
How do I get more information about Greek Life? How do I contact the Greek Life office?
You can go to the Greek Life homepage at www.samford.edu/greeklife for various resources and information. Also, you can contact the Greek Life office at 205-726-4221 and someone can assist you with any questions you may have about Greek Life.
Greek Life Partners
Parents can receive a discount for staying at Sonesta ES Suites Birmingham Homewood, 32964 if they include code 2BEGREEK.