PARENTS AND FAMILIES

As your student explores their interest in Fraternity & Sorority Life, we encourage you to keep an open mind and engage with them every step of the way! You are one of their greatest supporters and communicating with them throughout their journey is a crucial part of providing that support. 

1. Ask questions: Have conversations with your student! Help them think about what they want from a membership experience, help them identify their values, and learn more about why they want to join. Open these lines of communication early so your student knows they can turn to you for support and guidance. 
2. Listen & Validate:  The process for joining (regardless of which organization) may be an unfamiliar one for your student. There may be highs and lows throughout the process and often times they just need a listening ear from someone who knows them best and loves them. Remind them of their intrinsic worth and value – joining or not joining an organization doesn’t change this! 
3. Advocate: Help them own their experience and learn how to use the resources for themselves, before, during, and after joining! Part of going to college is learning the soft skills necessary to advocate for yourself, and our staff are happy to meet with your student if they ever have any questions or concerns. All information about the FSL experience will be sent directly to your student, starting from when they fill out our interest form, so help encourage them to take ownership of their experience. 

Here are some questions we’d encourage you to ask your student as they think about whether or not Fraternity & Sorority Life is the right fit for them!

• What does the organization do to promote scholastic achievement?

• How much time is spent on fraternity/sorority-related activities? Is this time mandatory or optional?

• Are new members (pledges) treated the same as active (initiated) members? Do they have the same privileges? 

• What are the financial obligations, and what is included?

• Are there alumni who are actively involved in organization and house management?

• What opportunities are there for leadership development? Do members participate in other campus organizations?

• How does the organization contribute to the larger fraternity and sorority community? 

• What type of programming does the organization offer (i.e. career networking, alcohol and other drug education, etc.)?

• What risk management procedures do the chapter implement to ensure safety at social events?

• Has the chapter been sanctioned by the University or inter/national organization for misconduct? Is it on a probationary or other special status?

• Is the chapter an officially recognized organization at Villanova?  

Once students have chosen their fraternity or sorority, a period of new member education, sometimes referred to as "pledging” follows. The New Member Education process usually lasts six to eight weeks and is a time for students to further contemplate their decision to join. Hopefully, their experience will be positive, and their initiation ceremony will begin lifelong membership. If, however, students feel membership has not met their expectations, they may choose not to be initiated.

If you have a concern about activities that are taking place in your student’s organization, please contact a staff member in the Fraternity and Sorority Life.  Villanova University and the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life have strong anti-hazing stances. Click here to view the policies.

Questions about activities specific to a certain chapter (i.e. chapter programs and events, paying dues, parents’ weekend, etc.) should be directed to the chapter president. You should encourage your student to reach out to their chapter president or the officer directly for the most accurate information. 

If you have questions or concerns about the broader Villanova Fraternity & Sorority Life experience, please feel free to reach out to our staff at ofsl@villanova.edu. We are happy to help answer your question or direct you to someone who can!