Welcome to the Winthrop University Office of Greek Life!

At Winthrop University, we take pride in our Greek organizations and the ideals that they stand for. Having your son or daughter become apart of a Greek organization means several things.

Long Lasting Friendships
Going Greek gives your child the opportunity to meet people and make special friendships that will last a lifetime.

Strong Academics and Leadership
Fraternities and sororities consistently promote high scholastic achievement. In addition, they offer a variety of leadership possibilities inside and outside of the Greek community.

Philanthropic Participation
Greeks take pride in giving their time to local and national philanthropies. Through numerous community service projects Greeks make a difference.

Campus Involvement
Greeks are involved in campus wide organizations such as student government, career-oriented clubs, honor societies, religious groups, and intramural sports.

Career Development
Internships and chapter offices provide real world training that is crucial to help you stand out in the mass of college graduates.

Social Events
Formals, theme parties, and Greek sponsored events bring fraternities and sororities together in a fun and relaxed environment.

Download the Parent's Guide brochure HERE

A Parent's Guide to Greek Life at Winthrop University

Sending a child to college can be a challenging and stressful time in a parent's life. While at Winthrop University, your child will encounter many opportunities to become involved outside of their classroom experience. It is important that you, the parent, be educated about the enriching experience that your son or daughter will find by being involved in a fraternity or sorority at Winthrop University.

What is being involved in a fraternity or sorority all about?

Knowing what you have seen on television and read in the local newspaper, the reality is that those are extreme cases of fraternity and sorority life. What the media will not tell you as a parent is that there are many life-long benefits to membership in fraternities and sororities. At a  university like Winthrop, membership in a fraternity or sorority offers a small community of friends away from home. Additionally, national research has shown that involvement in fraternities and sororities increases students' chances of graduating from college. As a life-long member of a fraternity or sorority, students are offered the opportunity to develop as leaders, serve the local community, and focus on academics, as well as their careers, by connecting with local alumni members of Greek organizations.

My child is considering joining a fraternity or sorority, what advice should I give them?

Since joining a fraternity or sorority is a lifelong commitment, and there is an expense associated with membership, it should be a joint decision between student and parent. Consider sitting down with your son or daughter and research all of the organizations that are available to join. Utilizing local chapter and national websites are a great, convenient way to gather information. Feel free to contact students who are currently involved and their parents and ask them about their experience. In most cases, both students and parents will speak candidly about their Greek involvement.

As an educated consumer, consider asking the following questions before your child joins a fraternity or sorority:

• What is expected of fraternity/sorority members?
• What leadership opportunities are available to students as both new members and active members?
• Does the chapter perform hands-on community service? If so, how often?
• Does the fraternity or sorority require members to live in the facility (if housing is available)? If so, for how long?
• What is the quarterly/annual expense associated with membership? How does this vary as a new member?
• What type of member is the chapter looking for?
• What values does this organization promote?
• Is the organization officially recognized by the University? If not, why is this the case?

I am not Greek, how can I learn more about it?

Websites to take a closer look at:

• www.nicindy.org
• http://www.npcwomen.org/memorg.htm
• http://www.nphchq.org/

What are the safety risks associated with membership in a fraternity or sorority?

It can be perceived that fraternity or sorority membership may compromise a student's safety and well-being. This certainly is not the case. In order to be recognized by the University, all Greek organizations are required to follow fairly strict alcohol and risk management policies. The policies are in accordance with the state law of South Carolina, and are enforced by both Winthrop University administrators and members of fraternities and sororities themselves. In addition, all organizations should have at least one alumni adviser and university faculty or staff advisor to assist and ensure that the chapter is promoting a safe environment for its members (both in and outside of the physical facility).

Hazing is both against university policy as well as state law. Hazing is defined as "Doing, requiring or encouraging any act, whether or not the act is voluntarily agreed upon, in conjunction with initiation or continued membership or participation in any group, that causes or creates a substantial risk of causing mental or physical harm or humiliation. Such acts may include, but are not limited to, use of alcohol, creation of excessive fatigue, and paddling, punching or kicking in any form" and will not be tolerated.