Parents of Prospective Members
Parents of Prospective MembersIf your son is considering going Greek, we applaud your decision to learn more about the process, its benefits, and what we as a chapter can offer to better your son's experience at NIU. While there is a considerable amount of information on our website we have tried to answer many of those questions you might have on this page as well as within our Frequently Asked Question section of our website. Joining a fraternity is a HUGE decision. It can be a great resource to those students who take advantage of what Greek Life has to offer. Long gone are the days of “Animal House” and the stylized, embellished versions popular media associate Greek Life with. As a parent, we feel it's a good idea for you to learn about fraternities in order to help your son make the best decision about whether or not he should join our chapter or any chapter at NIU. We ask you to educate yourself by having a conversation with your son about his options and the questions and expectations both you and he may have. We would also be happy to speak with you about any concerns you may have, questions that may arise, or to further discuss your sons progress within the fraternity. Before proceeding, any prospective member should ask the following from any organization he is considering (please click to learn more):
What are the Chapters' academic standards?Academics should be your child's number one focus while in college. The main purpose of attending a University is not to join a social organization, but instead to graduate. It is the chapters hope that each member aspire to personal academic excellence and to provide it's members the resources and programming to do so. Sigma Alpha Mu, Gamma Lambda Chapter has strict academic standards for membership. We have found that along with a strong program of academic support, those who seek additional resources have a wealth of information available to them. Our chapter has a specific undergraduate chairman that is responsible for keeping track of members and their academic performance. Furthermore, the chapter has a system to help students find peer tutors, pick classes, and ensure academic success through mandatory study hours. Our national Fraternity offers over $100,000 each year in member scholarships and gifts to those students who continually demonstrate a desire to pursue academic excellence. The chapter is proud to say that as of Spring semester 2010, it has ranked in the top third of Greek organizations on our campus academically, and is several basis points above the All Greek Average. We have found both of the following to be true for the past several years; Members who live within the chapter house consistently have a higher average GPA than those outside the house. This in turn, continue to higher graduation rates. The chapter boasts an 85% or higher graduation rate for members that remain active for 4 years- well higher than the 52% graduation rate average of the NIU General Student population (As described in the 2009 NIU Academic Study). What financial expectations does the Chapter have for Members?Both attending a University and joining a Fraternity can be significant investments in your sons future. In all fraternity chapters, there exist one-time new member/initiation fees as well as semester membership dues. These dues are used to cover insurance, educational programming, chapter operations, as well as pay, on behalf of the member, those costs assessed by the National Fraternity and University. The chapter also provides a nicely appointed, reasonably priced housing option for its members. Residents of which, are expected to pay rent in order to keep the chapter and its operations stably housed. As a parent, we are sure you realize that financial responsibility is a major facet of adult life. We offer the ability to gain “Real World” practice in a sheltered, understanding, environment. If your child is truly interested in becoming a member of a Greek organization, we suggest that you, as a parent, meet with your son to work out a college budget in order to determine whether or not joining our chapter, or any chapter is financially feasible. What stance does the Chapter take on hazing?Fraternities are often portrayed in the media as allowing or encouraging activities meant to produces bodily harm or danger, mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, fright, or ridicule. While much of these accounts are fictionalized, it is an unfortunate truth that some Fraternities do allow some forms of Hazing to exist. Sigma Alpha Mu, Gamma Lambda Chapter, strictly prohibits any type of hazing activity. We strongly feel that our new member education process is thorough, fair, and accurately promotes our principles of TRUST, BROTHERHOOD, and RESPECT. While our candidate education program remains nearly half as long as most Fraternities' on our campus at only 5 weeks, our hands on approach, immersion in chapter decision making, and strong educational sessions have shown to create and support excellent members, students, and individuals. What sort of time commitment does the Chapter require?On average, your son should expect to contribute two to four hours per week for meetings and mandatory activities. If your son has the time, ability, and effort to do so, we also recommend he participates in optional activities, such as holding a chapter officer chair, getting involved in campus organizations, and participating in the various community service and philanthropy projects the chapter participates in. We strongly feel that our 5-6 week candidacy period, the shortest on NIU's campus, stimulates the growth of an individual over a short time, adequately prepares the candidate for membership, and reduces the time commitments that are placed upon him in order to promote academic success. What sort of activities will a new member participate in?Many parents have reservations about their sons' desire to join a fraternal organization. It is important to remember that fraternities offer much more than just a social outlet for today's college male. The chapter prides itself on developing men of high moral character who respect strong ideals and strive to better themselves as individuals. Our chapter prides itself on its top tier “Service to Others” program. Through the program candidates and members have the opportunity to give back to their peers, the University, and the local community. During the 2009-2010 school year our chapter posted the highest per member average of service hours performed on campus, and was a close runner up in total hours of service performed (2nd only to an organization that has 3 times the number of active members) and either hosted or participated in philanthropic events that raised over $40,000! By giving back to the community and helping those in less fortunate situations, we ultimately become better members and more importantly, better men. There are also a host of other campus activities that a candidate or member may join. Whether they be leadership based, academically based, or special interest based, we encourage all members and candidates to get involved in order to further enrich their Northern Illinois University experience.
What sort of participation does the chapter have in terms of athletics?Fraternities offer a vast array of athletic opportunities for their candidates and members. While many members often were involved in sports in grade school or high school, many find interest within their competition level in college. Sigma Alpha Mu fields competitive teams in a host of NIU Intramural Sports, participates in several Philanthropy based sporting events throughout the year, as well as participates in the Largest NIU All-Greek athletic competition “NIU-Men's Tugs.” With several trophies collected over the past year, most notably a share of 2nd place out of 11 fraternity and co fraternity teams in this years Tug's Tournament, we have established ourselves as a legitimate contender, on the field, on the court, or in the Tug's trenches. What sort of values is the Chapter based upon?The chapter is committed to following its cardinal principles of Trust, Brotherhood, and Respect. Further, members are expected to maintain a standard of “Cordial and Courteous” behavior in all aspects of their adult lives. By emphasizing strong, values based, tenants of membership, we strive to promote a group of like minded, well educated, mature, and respectful students. By doing so, we create a family atmosphere which acts as a support for its members well beyond graduation. How stable is the Chapter?Sigma Alpha Mu, Gamma Lambda Chapter has been a fully accredited chartered student organization on NIU's campus since 1982. Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity celebrated its 100th anniversary in February 2010 and looks towards the possibilities of the next century confidently. Of the 15 fraternities on this campus, SAMMY remains one of the 5 oldest continuously chartered organizations on the NIU campus. In 2006, the chapter moved into its new property to allow for continued expansion and growth. We have made unprecedented headway in both categories and are larger and stronger than we have ever been. We can proudly say we look forward to the coming years with excitement and anticipation.
If you as a parent and your son feel that going Greek will be an option, we recommend that you stress how important it is to maintain a strong balance between social activities and academics. Keep in mind that while Greek life is a rewarding, life changing, opportunity for some students, it's not for everyone. We hope that you can discuss with your son your expectations for him, support his interest in Greek life, and recommend he look for a strong, values based fraternity chapter that can show positive, proven examples of its programming and steps for success. If you and your son decide that joining an organization is the right decision, make sure he takes the time and effort to research the many different NIU Fraternity chapters thoroughly. It seems that for most members, while there is a chapter that makes them feel wholly comfortable with who they are, too often, however, new members visit only one or two houses before making a decision. The step to join a fraternity is a lifelong commitment! It is important, for the sake of the individual and the chapter, that your son doesn't rush into this process without getting the full picture and finding the organization that “fits” best for him.
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