Parents

Joining a fraternity or sorority can be a meaningful part of your student’s Missouri State experience. Membership offers opportunities to build friendships, develop leadership skills, serve others, receive academic support, and grow personally.

As a parent or supporter, you may have questions about what membership involves. Whether your student is exploring their options, participating in recruitment or intake, or already a member, this page is here to help you understand the experience and support your student every step of the way.

What can my student gain from joining Fraternity and Sorority Life?
Community and Belonging
Leadership Development
Scholarship
Service and Philanthropy
Lifelong Connection

A brief description of what each governing council's purpose

Click here to learn more about PHA

Click here to learn more about IFC

Click here to learn more about NPHC

What Families Should Know

Joining a fraternity or sorority starts with exploring organizations and finding a chapter that aligns with your student’s interests, values, and goals. The membership process varies by council, but students have opportunities to meet members, learn about organizations, and make an informed decision.

Panhellenic Sororities: Students participate in formal or informal recruitment, meeting members and learning about different chapters through a mutual selection process.

IFC Fraternities: Students participate in recruitment events during the fall or spring semester, where they can explore different fraternities and potentially receive a membership offer, or “bid.”

NPHC Organizations: Students can attend informational sessions to learn about an organization’s history, values, culture, and membership requirements. Each organization determines its own membership process.

Parent Tip: Encourage your student to ask questions, explore their options, and find an organization that feels like the right fit.
Joining a fraternity or sorority comes with financial responsibilities that vary by organization. Costs may include chapter dues, national organization fees, events, and other membership expenses, with the first semester sometimes costing more.

Before your student joins, encourage them to ask questions and make sure they understand the organization’s financial expectations. Financial transparency sheets are available on each council’s page to help students and families better understand potential costs.

Parent Tip: Talk with your student about the financial commitment before joining and encourage them to ask about payment plans, additional fees, and what is included in their membership costs.
Students are students first.

Fraternity and sorority membership should complement their academic experience. Chapters may have GPA requirements, academic expectations, and resources to help members stay on track and succeed.

Parent Tip: Encourage your student to ask chapters about GPA requirements, academic support, and expectations for maintaining membership.
Joining a fraternity or sorority is a commitment that can include chapter meetings, service projects, leadership opportunities, social events, and other activities. The time commitment varies by organization and may be greater during a student’s first semester.

Students should consider how membership will fit alongside academics, work, and other responsibilities.

Parent Tip: Encourage your student to ask about the typical time commitment and discuss how they can balance membership with school, work, and other priorities.

Support Your Student

Ask Questions. Stay Curious. Let Your Student Lead.

Choosing whether to join a fraternity or sorority and deciding which organization is the right fit is an important personal decision.

Families and supporters can play a valuable role by helping students think through their options while allowing them to take ownership of their experience.

Consider asking your student questions such as:

What interests you about this organization?
What values does the organization represent?
What are the financial expectations?
What is the time commitment?
What are the academic expectations?
What does the new-member experience include?
What leadership, service and professional-development opportunities are available?
Who would you talk to if you had a concern?

The goal is not to choose an organization for your student, but to help them make a thoughtful and informed decision.

Community Standards

The well-being of students is an important part of the fraternity and sorority experience at Missouri State. Students are expected to follow university policies, organizational expectations and applicable laws. Fraternity and Sorority Life also works with campus and community partners to provide education, prevention resources and support.

Anti- Hazing Statement

At Missouri State, hazing has no place in the fraternity and sorority experience. We are committed to creating a community where students can build meaningful connections, develop leadership skills, and feel welcomed and respected—without fear of hazing or harmful behavior.

We take concerns about hazing seriously and work with students, chapters, and campus partners to promote education, prevention, and accountability. As a parent, you can expect us to prioritize your student’s safety, well-being, and positive experience.

For more information regarding the University Hazing Prevention and Programming Click Here

P.E.A.C.E. Program

The PEACE Program is a partnership between Springfield Police Department, Missouri State University, and the Office of Student Engagement that helps students better understand local laws and build positive relationships with law enforcement.

For parents, PEACE provides reassurance that students are receiving education and resources to make informed, responsible decisions and navigate their community confidently. Click here to learn more

Parents

What can my student gain from joining Fraternity and Sorority Life?

Community and Belonging

Leadership Development

Scholarship

Service and Philanthropy

Lifelong Connection