The Role of Parents and Families

Your student has embarked upon a great adventure by choosing to attend the University of West Florida. Your student has many opportunities ahead of him or her while at UWF. By joining a fraternity or sorority, he or she is joining many other new members in their search for a sense of community at the University. Students can feel overwhelmed once they are in a new environment. We in the Greek Affairs Office hope to help your student through this new and exciting time in their lives.

Encourage your student to attend as many campus events as possible during UWF’s Argo Arrival and the beginning of school. Being involved is the best way to meet the active Greek members and learn about their chapters. Involvement and interest in other student organizations is looked favorably upon during the membership selection process. Students need support throughout the process of recruitment/intake and new member education. Be supportive and learn as much as you can about Greek life by asking questions of your student as he or she meets members in fraternities and sororities. Keep an open mind . . . Greek life is not for everyone. Just because you may have been a fraternity or sorority member doesn't mean that it is the right choice for your student.

Fraternities and sororities are different on every campus. Groups that may have been strong on the campus where you attended school may not have the same reputation at the University of West Florida. Let your student choose the group that he or she feels the most comfortable joining.

Talk to your student beforehand about the financial obligation. Determine who will pay for what and where the limits are. Know that the system of fraternity/sorority recruitment at UWF is a mutual selection process. Not everyone who wants to be Greek will receive a bid, but the Office of Greek Affairs will do everything possible to make sure the potential new members understand the process and possible outcomes.

Do not become too involved in the sorority and fraternity recruitment/intake process . . . this is your student’s decision. Too often, parents or families do not allow their students to "fight their own battles". It helps the student mature and gain some assertiveness when allowed to call various offices if they have questions or concerns about their decision to go Greek.

The following websites have been designed just for you and can be very beneficial in understanding the process your student is going through:

The Office of Greek Affairs is more than willing to assist you if you have any additional questions or concerns please contact us!