Facts About Joining a Fraternity
General Rush Information	Chapter Rush Information & Dates	Facts About Joining a Fraternity		Famous Phi-Psi’s
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Joining Phi Kappa Psi Cost Commitment Pledging Parental Support Concerns Drinking
Joining Phi Kappa Psi			Cost
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How do I go about joining Phi Kappa Psi? Fraternities organize a process of meeting people and making friends called "rush".  There is formal and informal rush.  The college or university usually decides formal rush, the activities and time periods for events are predetermined and limited. Informal rush usually amounts to one friend inviting another over to the fraternity house or to a chapter event. Both offer you an opportunity to meet other people on campus and learn what a fraternity has to offer its members. When the friendships are struck, an invitation to join or "bid" is given. When accepted, a pledge period ensues where the potential members learn about the fraternity and its members. At Phi Kappa Psi, this lasts six weeks. When the members get to know the pledges, and the final decision is made, a formal initiation ceremony takes place and the pledges become members.			Doesn't it cost a lot of money to be in a fraternity? Each fraternity is self-supported through fees charged to all members. In the first year of membership, a few onetime expenses are assessed. At Phi Kappa Psi, pledge fees are paid to the national organization ($50 to cover the cost of the pledge pin and manual of Phi Kappa Psi). Upon becoming a member, an initiation fee of $250 is paid to cover the official membership badge, certificate, and card, and enrollment on the official rolls. After those initial payments are made, your only expense will be the regular dues. If housing is offered, fraternity lodging and meals are competitive with other housing options. A variety of payment plans are usually offered, depending upon the local chapter.
Commitment			Pledging
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Being in a fraternity takes a lot of time. Participating in any worthwhile activity always requires an investment of one’s time. Research has shown that involved college students are more likely to graduate, and they report greater satisfaction with their college experience.  Through your fraternity involvement you will learn how to balance your academic world campus involvement and social commitments.			What about pledging or hazing? New fraternity members all experience a period of orientation. During this time you and the other new members will participate in weekly meetings to learn about your college or university and the fraternity, leadership, retreats, community service projects, and activities designed to build friendships among the new members and the older fraternity members. Phi Kappa Psi’s pledge education period lasts six weeks, unless the local chapter receives a waiver for an extension from the national office. Hazing is strictly forbidden under the fraternity’s national bylaws and constitution. Furthermore, Phi Psi NJE observes a strict no hazing policy that goes beyond the requirements set by national bylaws.
Parental Support			Concerns
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What is my role as a parent? Be supportive and learn as much as you can by asking questions of your son as he meets people through the rush process. Fraternity members will be more than happy to tell him (and you) about their group. You ax~ welcome to contact the local alumni who serve as advisors to the chapter or on the house corporation board. Ask one of the members for their names. Many chapters have special Parent’s Clubs or Mom’s Clubs with accompanying events to get parents more involved in their son’s life on campus. Ask about joining or forming one at your sons’ chapter.			Aren’t all fraternities just like the one shown in the movie "Animal House”? Unfortunately, after the showing of that movie, fraternity members have been categorized as partiers, irresponsible, and abusive. In reality, fraternities are values-based organizations dedicated to the development of character and lifelong friendships. Behavior of chapter members is molded and guided by interaction with older members, alumni advisors, and faculty advisors, and supported by a belief system handed down by the fraternity’s founders, nearly 150 years ago. The Mission Statement of Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity expresses some of the basic expectations of membership:
Drinking
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What is alcohol use really like in the fraternity? Alcohol abuse is unhealthy and inconsistent with fraternity ideals. All fraternities are expected to uphold state, county, and city laws and university policies regarding the consumption of alcohol. That includes prohibiting members from purchasing alcohol for underage members. Phi Kappa Psi believes that alcohol consumption is an individual choice and educational programs provided by the fraternity can aid that responsible decision-making regarding alcohol. That is why we include the Alcohol 101 program in our chapter leadership retreats and a copy of the Alcohol 101 CD-ROM in every pledge packet Alcohol 101 provides the physiological, psychological, and legal information to help college students make responsible decisions about drinking or not drinking. This is an interactive CD-ROM in which your real-time choices about drinking in a hypothetical social setting are revealed with different behavioral outcomes in the cyber game. Students who choose not to drink will know that it is ok and feel comfortable with their decision. The days of large quantities of alcohol at a social function are gone. The National Pan Hellenic Council, the organization of women’s national sororities, has issued a resolution, which is currently being ratified by members, that their chapters will only cosponsor functions in men’s fraternity facilities such as houses, dorms, or lodges if those functions are alcohol-free.