Information for Parents

Trinity University has seven local sororities and seven local fraternities that are all founded by Trinity Students. The Greek system at Trinity is full of a rich history that dates back over 75 years. Membership in a social fraternity or sorority can be an enriching experience full of personal development, leadership opportunities, lifelong friendships, and service to others. 

Recruitment

To help our students adjust to the rigorous academic life Trinity has to offer, the University and Greek Council have instituted a number of policies and procedures. Mainly, Trinity has a deferred rush and new member orientation period. That is, first-year students are not allowed to join a social Greek organization until they have completed at least 12 credit hours at Trinity University and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3 (athletes must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.6 to accept a bid). Transfer students must have at least a sophomore standing to join a fraternity or sorority. Not only does deferred rush help students focus on their academics as they begin college, but it also allows the students to meet the various Greek organizations without feeling pressure to commit right away.

New Member Orientation

The organizations New Member Orientation programs are governed by several University and Greek Council policies. For instance, there is a four-week maximum on all orientation programs and a nine hour hands-off period during the school week. The purpose of this time is to educate new members about the organization and to bond the new members with the entire group, not to create an unequal power differential in the organization. As such, there is zero tolerance for hazing or for violations of other University and Greek Council policies. In most cases, hazing allegations go to Student Conduct Panel. If you have any questions, you can contact the alumni adviser for your student's organization as well.

Helpful Tips for Parents

• Encourage your student to keep an open mind about Fraternity & Sorority life. Students may have different stereotypes about certain organizations or Greek life in general. Encouraging your student to meet the Fraternity & Sorority members on an individual level is the best way to find out if he/she wants to be involved with Greek life. Encourage your student to make his or her own choices about going in a Fraternity or Sorority.
• Students need your support throughout the process of recruitment and New Member Orientation. Be supportive and learn as much as you can about the community by asking questions of your student as he or she meets members in fraternities and sororities.
• Have a conversation about the financial obligations of Fraternity & Sorority life before your student joins an organization. Because the organizations at Trinity are local, their dues are relatively inexpensive compared with national fraternities and sororities. Most of the groups' semester dues range from $200 to $400.
• An inherent aspect of Fraternity & Sorority life is that it is a selective process. On average, about 15 women and three men do not receive bids each year. However, every year we have several sophomores and even juniors who join a Fraternity or Sorority who did not receive a bid their first year.

For questions about Greek Life at Trinity University, please contact jamie.thompson [at] trinity.edu (Jamie Thompson), Director of Student Involvement.