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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: Can I join a fraternity
or sorority and still live in a residence hall?
A: Yes, you may join
a fraternity or sorority chapter and still reside in the Living Learning Center
(LLC), Kuehne Hall, West Hall or the Washburn Village.
Q: Fraternity and
sorority members are all a bunch of elitists, racists, and cliquish!
A: Are all Southerners
dumb, barefoot and eat grits? Of course not!
These generalizations
have stumped fraternity and sorority members for years because so many of
our members come from a variety of ethnic and economic backgrounds. Most members
and alumni will tell you that they have made friends with others who they
would have otherwise never met!
The truth is
that anyone can be a member of a fraternity or sorority at Washburn. Remember,
"a mind is like a parachute, it only works when open."
Q: Aren't fraternities
and sororities just like ones in the movies and TV?
A: Heck no! The image of
Greek life is often defined by individuals without complete information.
The movie "Animal
House" was intended to be a parody of a fraternity gone awry. Unfortunately,
some fraternity chapters in the 1970s and 1980s used that movie as a model
for their activities and behavior. At Washburn, those days are long over.
Greek organizations pride themselves on social responsibility. Washburn University
fraternity
men and sorority women are held to strict standards of acceptable behavior.
Actions that have a negative impact on the Washburn community are not accepted
in the Greek community. An internal governance structure ensures that Greeks
hold themselves to the highest standard.
Q: Don't fraternities
and sororities take up a lot of time?
A: Fraternity and sorority
membership requires anywhere from 2 to 8 hours a week. Whether it be planning
a party, a community service project, or regular weekly meetings, fraternity
members have learned to manage their time wisely with other commitments like
homework, boyfriends/girlfriends, and a job. This is also why so many fraternity
and sorority members have succeeded in their lives.
Q: Aren't fraternities/sororities
expensive?
A: Annual membership
dues vary from approximately $200 to $350. This cost is used to pay for upkeep
of the chapter house, community service, scholarships, intramurals, and the
dozens of social events offered. As one member put it -"a fraternity
is the best deal on campus!"
Q: If I'm new to
campus, shouldn't I wait to get my feet "on the ground" before I
join?
A: New students tell
us that Washburn seems like a big place when they arrive. The quicker you
meet other students, the more comfortable you will feel on campus. By joining
in your first year, you will find adjusting to university life a lot easier.
Most members who didn't join their Freshman year wished they had.
Q: What is Recruitment?
A: Recruitment - which
used to be referred to as "Rush" - is the time when fraternities
and sororities seek new members to join. It's a time when interested Washburn
students have an opportunity to visit each fraternity or sorority and compare
what each has to offer. You are encouraged to find the chapter that feels
like a "home away from home."
Q: If I take part
in Recruitment, do I have to join a fraternity or sorority?
A: No. Recruitment is
a time to see what fraternity or sorority life can offer you. Attending Recruitment
functions or registering for Recruitment information does not commit you to
joining a fraternity or sorority.
Q: What is "Bid
Day?"
A: "Bid Day"
is when you receive your invitation(s) to join a sorority. The sororities
utilize a mutual selection process where interested women indicate, in order,
the organizations they are interested in joining and the organizations choose
the women they are most interested in having as members. The selections are
then matched together.
Women receive their
"bid" (or invitation to join) in the Fall and Spring semesters .The
men's fraternities use an "open" bid process where an interested
man may receive a bid from any fraternity at any time of the year (including
summer).
If you receive more
than one bid, this gives you an opportunity to make an informed choice with
no pressure. If you have any questions when making this choice, each chapter
has a member who can clarify any questions or concerns.
Q: I'm interested,
but I'm still not sure...
A: That's what Recruitment
is about! It's a time for you to see if joining a fraternity or sorority is
right for you. The Student Activities and Greek Life Office is here to
answer questions about fraternities and sororities without trying to influence
you to join a particular chapter.
Please contact us for:
To learn more about
our community, be sure to visit the links available on the right-side of this
page. If you have any questions, please feel free to visit our office (Memorial
Union, Lower Level), call 231.1010 ext. 1723 or e-mail getalife@washburn.edu.
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