How can membership assist my student in succeeding academically?

Each chapter has a minimum GPA students need to maintain in order to stay on active status in the chapter. If a student falls below that required GPA, study programs and other resources are offered to that student to help get their grades back to where they need to be. All chapters at William Woods have a faculty or staff advisor that helps to make sure the chapter is putting the necessary emphasis on academics.

What is the cost of membership?

Each fraternity and sorority have their own costs associated with membership. These costs will be addressed very early in the Recruitment process, and will never be kept a secret from the members. Payment plans and scholarships are available in most cases to work out what works best. The first semester a member joins tends to be the most expensive.

For housing, William Woods fraternities and sororities are housed in University residence halls. The Office of Residential Life website can be consulted for the different options and prices in University housing.

What about hazing and alcohol?

William Woods University has a strict anti-hazing policy that goes in accordance with Missouri State Law. If a member of one of William Woods Greek organizations suspects hazing, they are asked to report it to the Office of Student Life immediately. When new members join Greek organizations at William Woods, they are made aware of William Woods anti-hazing policy.

Alcohol is not allowed in any of the sororities at William Woods. The fraternities follow their national headquarters' policy on alcohol in the chapters. Chapters host socials at off-campus locations, and are taken by bus to those off-campus locations to help ensure members' safety. All socials are registered with the Office of Greek Life and Student Involvement.

Who is actually in charge of the fraternity or sorority?

Each chapter has elected officers that run the day to day chapter operations. Those officers report to alumni and faculty advisors, and to the Director of Greek Life and Student Involvement at William Woods University. Each chapter has at least one faculty or staff member on campus who advises the chapter.

Is it expensive to be in a fraternity or sorority?

Like any club or organization, it costs to be a member. Fraternities and sororities are self-sustaining organizations, and the membership dues provide the operating budgets for the chapters. The first semester of joining is usually the most expensive semester: new member fees, initiation fees, and active badges are usually purchased during this semester. Chapters have payment plans for members and many have scholarships available to members!

Where will my child live if they join a fraternity or sorority?

William Woods University is unique that the fraternities and sororities are housed in University residence halls. The chapters are able to make updates and changes, making it feel more “homey”, but the chapters are governed by the same rules and regulations our other residence halls are.

When will my child move into the chapter house?

With Recruitment occurring during Orientation, new students are placed in temporary housing. When a student decides to go through Recruitment and accept a bid to join a fraternity or sorority, they will move immediately into the chapter house the Sunday before classes start. Current members of the chapter they join will help them move!

What about alcohol in the houses?

All sororities at William Woods University are nationally dry according to their national headquarters’ rules and by the National Panhellenic Council (governing body of all sororities). The fraternities at William Woods University follow the University policy on alcohol, which is you can have alcohol in your room if you are over 21 years of age.

My child is participating in LEAD, is an athlete, and is majoring in Equestrian Science. Will they be able to do it all?

Yes! William Woods University supports the students getting involved on campus and doing what interests them! Fraternities and sororities provide excellent support networks for students. Chapter members have the same classes and are able to study together, chapters promote LEAD events and attend together, and chapters will support their athlete members at their events.