A Parent's Guide to Greek Life at Rockhurst University
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For almost 80 years Rockhurst has enjoyed a rich tradition of Greek Life on campus. From its beginning in 1934, the Greek community has continued to grow in size, while still providing each member with a high-quality experience. We invite you to be a part of this exciting tradition!
What is Greek Life All About?
Learning
Chapters place a strong emphasis on scholarship, offering academic workshops and study hour requirements for members. The result is that the Greek GPA is consistently higher than the University average. Learning also incorporates personal development of members through chapter– and University-sponsored educational programming.
Leadership
Fraternity and sorority members are actively involved in almost every other aspect of campus life and student organizations, including Student Senate, Social Activities Board, and Campus Ministry, and serving as Orientation Leaders and Resident Assistants. Greeks are also involved in the greater Kansas City community through service and internships. Fraternities and sororities offer training and leadership development programs at the local and national levels as well to help members strengthen skills.
Service
Participation in service projects benefits not only the community, but facilitates personal growth and unity among members. Along with giving time to hands-on service projects, each Greek organization raises money for a national philanthropy through special events, and participates in raising funds and awareness for local philanthropies by sponsoring events such as blood drives, canned food drives, and an annual haunted house.
Brotherhood & Sisterhood
The fraternity and sorority experience offers unmatched opportunities for lifelong friendships with men and women with similar values and interests. Fraternity brothers and sorority sisters help members become the very best version of themselves, and will offer support through each person’s greatest successes and most trying challenges not only during the college years, but through all of adulthood.
Welcome from the Rockhurst Student Life Staff!
Greetings, and welcome to the Rockhurst family! We are confident your son or daughter will have a wonderful experience at Rockhurst University. Among many other opportunities to get involved, I would like to invite you and your student to consider a fraternity or sorority during his or her time with us. RU offers 8 different organizations (3 fraternities and 5 sororities), that can help each student feel right at home. The Greek experience offers a variety of benefits, including a lifelong network of individuals with similar values, strong relationships built through brotherhood and sisterhood, academic support and resources, opportunities to give back through community service and philanthropic initiatives, unmatched leadership opportunities, and so many more. I hope that you find this information to be a helpful introduction to what you and your student can expect from his or her Greek experience. Our website is another great resource for specifics, particularly regarding recruitment activities for fraternities and sororities. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to our office.
Go Hawks, and GO GREEK!
Contact the Office of Student Life:
Assistant Director of Student Life 816-501-4398
More information on Greek Life
Fast Stats and Facts
- The Spring 2013 Greek GPA was a 3.51, compared to the University-wide GPA at a 3.37.
- The Spring 2013 Fraternity GPA was a 3.46, higher than the all-male GPA of 3.27.
- The Spring 2013 Sorority GPA was an impressive 3.53, surpassing the all-female GPA by 0.1.
- Fraternity and sorority members complete, on average, 3,500 hours of community service per year.
- The Rockhurst Greek community is about 530 members strong (Spring 2013), including 360 sorority members and 170 fraternity members.
- Greeks make up about 40% of the total student body.
- Rockhurst has 5 sororities, including Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., Gamma Phi Beta, Theta Phi Alpha, and Zeta Tau Alpha.
- Rockhurst currently has 3 fraternities : Alpha Delta Gamma, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.
FAQs
What kind of time commitment can my son or daughter anticipate?
The time commitment can vary depending on the level of involvement your student chooses. If he or she chooses to take a leadership role as an officer of their organization, or takes active roles in planning and executing events, it will be a significant commitment. As with anything, the more he or she puts in, the more they can take from the experience!
How much will it cost for my son or daughter to join a Greek organization?
Each chapter’s dues and fees are different, and include various one-time costs upon joining as well as dues paid to the national organization. Additionally, programming, social events, and philanthropy events all require funds and are primarily paid for by dues. Chapters would be happy to go into more detail about finances with your son or daughter during recruitment events so they know what to expect.
What is recruitment like at Rockhurst?
Fraternities and sororities both recruit during the beginning of the spring semester, giving men and women a full semester to adjust to college life before making a commitment to a Greek organization. Potential new members are expected to have earned 12 hours of academic credit and a minimum 2.5 GPA before joining. Sororities have a formalized process, with events spanning four days. Fraternities have a more relaxed recruitment schedule in late January, beginning with Open House events leading up to individual chapter events. For more details, check out the website!
What is the new member process like?
The new member processes of all Greek organizations are focused around understanding the history and significance of the organization, as well as developing bonds among members. However, your son or daughter should never feel uncomfortable during a new member process. Rockhurst has a zero-tolerance policy for hazing, and will take action against any chapters who are out of line with national risk management policies and laws regarding hazing. Everyone has the right to feel safe and valued from day one.
Is Greek Life similar to what I see on TV and in movies?
Fictional accounts in movies and TV shows tend to focus on, and exaggerate, the “social” aspect of fraternities and sororities, rather than the multidimensional, impactful reality of membership. Social is actually intended to mean the interpersonal skills members acquire, not parties. Fraternities and sororities at Rockhurst are award-winning chapters. We invite you and your student to ask lots of questions to learn what Greek organizations are really about!
