Joining a fraternity or sorority in college is a very important decision. Parents whose students are considering Greek life most likely have questions just like the students do. We ask parents to be supportive and learn as much as they can about Greek life at William Woods. This page will provide important information for parents about Greek life.

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.

Greeks are also leaders on campus for promoting responsible consumption of alcohol through Greeks Advocating the Mature Management of Alcohol (GAMMA). Each October, GAMMA hosts Alcohol Responsibility Week and GAMMA members work with their individual chapters on educating their members.

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 Greek Advisor at William Woods. Each chapter has at least one faculty or staff member on campus who advises the chapter.

All chapters at William Woods report to their national organizations, and all national organizations are members of either the National Panhellenic Conference (Sororities) or the North-American Interfraternity Conference (Fraternities).

Can I see where my student will be living if they join a fraternity or sorority?

Family members have the opportunity to tour our Greek chapters during the Wednesday of Fall Orientation. At other times of the year, potential students can arrange a tour through the Office of Admissions or through the Office of Greek Life and Student Involvement.

Greek Life Frequently Asked Questions

National Panhellenic Conference Parent Website (Sororities)

North-American Interfraternity Conference Parent Website (Fraternities)

Some information compiled from the National Panhellenic Conference and the North-American Interfraternity Conference.