Parents' Page

Parents' FAQs for Fraternity Life

How will my student benefit from joining a fraternity?

Fraternities are rooted in founding principles that foster academic achievement, student involvement, community service, and life-long friendships. These organizations are comprised of students who have common interests and values who form a network of support for one another during their college years. Advantages include:

  • A support group to help make the adjustment to college easier
  • Scholastic resources to help students achieve their academic goals
  • Leadership skills acquired through hands-on experience
  • Encouragement to get involved and maximize their potential on campus
  • Opportunities for active participation in community service projects

What will my child get out of fraternity life that they would not get out of any other college organization?

Coming to college is a major life change that your son will experience. Joining a fraternity will help make the transition easier. The fraternity  experience is multifaceted and offers numerous opportunities to your student. Developing life-long friendships with the brothers in their chapter and other Spring Hill chapter members helps make the campus seem more like home. In addition to the brotherhood, every chapter is dedicated to enhancing leadership, scholarship, philanthropy/service, and financial responsibility through various programs and opportunities. It will be up to your student to determine the level of involvement he wants to have in the organization and what kind of experience it will be for him.

My student is thinking of joining a fraternity. What is the process?

Joining a fraternity is a mutual selection process. In the spring semester the IFC hosts a formal recruitment process.  This gives your student the opportunity to meet each chapter on campus during their first semester to make the best decision for them about which one to join. There will be multiple information sessions and recruitment events during the fall semester to ensure each rushee is prepared for formal recruitment. 

What are the financial obligations of fraternity membership?

Like joining other campus clubs and organizations, there is a financial commitment associated with joining a fraternity. These fees go towards operating costs for the chapters, national fees, and social activities sponsored by the chapters. Chapters will work with their members to make sure these do not become burdensome.  Financial obligations differ by chapter. Be sure that your son checks with each chapter while going through the recruitment process about the financial obligations of membership. Being worrisome about financial obligations should not be the main reason a student does not go through rush, however. 

Can my son be a part of a chapter if he is a commuter?

Certainly! Fraternity membership can be a valuable experience, regardless of whether the student is living at home or in a residence hall.  Off-campus students find Fraternity membership provides them with a place to hang out between classes, a place to study, and a support group of friends they don't get by not living in the residence halls.

How much of a concern is alcohol with fraternities at Spring Hill?

Although the common stereotype is that fraternities enable binge drinking and reckless behavior, Spring Hill chapters work to dispel such stereotypes. The fraternity community strives to maintain a safe and responsible environment in terms of social activities sponsored by its chapters. All fraternities have strict guidelines that must be followed in order to hold social functions. They are required to follow very strict and detailed risk management and alcohol policies and are held accountable to the Student Code of Conduct and Alabama State Laws.

Is hazing a concern?

Hazing, in any form, is not tolerated. The hazing policy at Spring Hill coincides with Alabama state law. Fraternities are required to sign Anti-hazing forms as a part of keeping their recognition at SHC. Hazing includes any activity that subjects members, or prospective members, to harassment, ridicule, intimidation, physical exhaustion, abuse, or mental distress. It is contrary to the purposes of the fraternity community and the College. If you sense your student may be participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity, you should contact the Center for Student Involvement at 251-380-3027. All calls will be handled in a discreet manner.

How will being a fraternity member affect my student's grades?

Some parents worry that the extra social events and responsibilities of being in a fraternity might take away from their student's time for academics. Being a fraternity member is a time commitment, but one of the core values of fraternities is academic excellence. Each chapter maintains a certain grade point average that members must strive attain during their college experience. If members do not meet their requirements, chapters offer resources members to receive assistance. Often chapters organize incentives and awards for the most improved GPAs or the best GPAs. The fraternity community realizes the importance of a quality education, and academic excellence is a priority. Additionally, Greek-men statistically have a higher average GPA than non-Greek-men.

How will joining a chapter now benefit my student after graduation?

The life long friendships your student will make through their chapter can last long into his post-college years. Fraternities have national networks and connections for its members to use for securing jobs and advancing careers. Membership in a chapter can be a life-long experience that the member and the fraternity enjoy together. Joining now is an investment in your student's future as they will reap the benefits now and for a lifetime.

Who actually is in charge of the organization, and is there outside support?

Individual chapters elect members to officer positions who manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. These officers are assisted by members serving on committees, so everyone is involved in and exposed to leadership positions. Each member learns cooperation, communication, and planning skills. Chapters are also required to have a faculty or staff advisor. Additionally, each chapter is responsible to their national headquarters, which offers support, advice, and direction through paid professional staff and regional volunteers. All chapters have alumni acting as advisors, and some chapters have alumni advisory boards that work with its members.
 
The Coordinator of Student Involvement is Spring Hill's professional staff liaison to the fraternity and sorority community, offering support, advice and guidance to governing councils, chapter officers, advisors, and members. Mike Freyaldenhoven is the staff member serving as a primary contact for the fraternity and sorority community.

What is my role as a parent?

  • Encourage your son to attend as many campus events as possible during the fall semester. Being involved is the best way to meet active fraternity members and learn about their chapters. Involvement in other student organizations is looked favorably upon during the membership selection process.
  • Students may need support throughout the process of recruitment and new member education, but keep in mind that this is your son's decision.
  • Fraternities are different on every campus. Spring Hill College Greek Life prides itself that our organizations stay true to their core values as well as with the school's greater Jesuit ideals. Groups with strong reputations at other schools likely do not have the same reputation at Spring Hill College. Let your son choose the group that he feels the most comfortable joining.
  • Talk to your son beforehand about the financial obligation. Determine if there are any limits. 
  • Feel free to email any members of the IFC staff for any concerns or questions you may have!

Contact

 
Email
 
Mailing Address
IFC
4000 Dauphin St
Mobile, AL 36608
 
Director of Student Involvement
 
Mike Freyaldenhoven
251-380-4186

Going Greek

IFC Recruitment Process

The Interfraternity Council utilizes a deferred recruitment process. This means that individuals cannot join fraternities until they have completed a semester at Spring Hill College. Fraternities conduct informal recruitment for upperclassmen throughout the fall and spring semesters. Incoming freshman are required to wait until the formal recruitment process in the spring. To join a fraternity at Spring Hill College the Interfraternity Council requires that men maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA and are in good standing with the Colege.
 
The formal recruitment process occurs each spring semester starting with an orientation event. Then each fraternity has an informal event night for men to attend leading up to formal events on the last evening of recruitment. The process ends with a formalized Bid Night where men who have gone through the recruitment process accept their bids. There is food provided at each event throughout the week. No registration fee is required, and it is required that rushees attend every informal night. 
 
Spring 2018 Rush Begins on January 22, 2018.
Rush sign-ups will begin the week of January 15th.