Myths and Questions
I can’t afford to join a fraternity.
Nearly every house sets costs comparable to the room and board in a Cornell residence hall — in many cases, less. Additional membership fees or social dues should also be moderate. A significant proportion of Greeks, like Cornell students at large, receive financial aid from the university.
Student leaders in each house manage the finances of the fraternity. Many houses have established scholarships funds to support students in need, either from the alumni or from their national organization. Financial needs should not be a barrier to joining a fraternity at Cornell.
But I’m serious about my studies.
So are we. Studies demonstrate that students in fraternities outperform the general student population academically (Spring ‘20 GPA: Cornell fraternities = 3.81; all male students = 3.51) and graduate at a higher rate.
The academic and advisory support of fellow members helps in navigating course selection, exams, and majors. Ask about the alumni: they’re lawyers, entrepreneurs, academicians, physicians, financiers and philanthropists. Of particular benefit is the network of hundreds of alumni who can assist with your summer internship, launching your career or admission to graduate school.
There are so many houses; I can’t visit all of them. How do I narrow it down?
The size and diversity of Cornell’s fraternity system is definitely a double-edged sword, but we firmly believe there’s a house for everyone.
You can glean some information about chapters, including their house locations, costs, GPA, service hours, and disciplinary history from the SFL organization scorecard. Their website will link to information about their national organization, their alumni newsletter, and perhaps their history at Cornell. But ultimately, there’s no substitute for meeting actual brothers. Attend all of the IFC’s tabling sessions, open houses, and other activities, so that you can meet members from a wide array of chapters.
How does housing and dining work?
Each chapter has its own requirements and culture related to housing and dining.
The purpose of eating and living together is to add to the shared experience of fraternity, getting to know people at their most natural. But chapters will also work to accommodate students with dietary restrictions, disabilities, or outside obligations so that they are included in their dining and housing program in an inclusive way.
Typically, if the chapter offers a meal plan, you will be expected to take at least some of your meals with the other members after you join, and if the chapter has a house, you will be expected to live there for at least one or two years. As a member, you will help support these programs financially and/or through cleaning and other duties.
I’ve already made some great friends at Cornell.
That’s great! The best of fraternity life is experienced when students have both an in-residence community and additional circles of close friends outside of the house. The best of Cornell’s fraternities welcome personal friends of their members who often participate in events, programs, meals, and informal gatherings.
My family is against me joining a fraternity.
To be clear, no fraternity ever wants to come between you and your family. They deserve your respect—and ours.
The reasons why families may be against fraternity membership vary. Sometimes it is fear of the cost. Sometimes it is fear it will affect your grades. Sometimes they don’t really know what the Greek system is, but fear you will be mistreated because of things they have heard in the news. But the best antidote for fear is information. Studies show that fraternity members are emotionally healthier than non-members. We have a greater sense of belonging and greater loyalty to the school. We live for cheaper than those in residence halls. We enjoy great friendships that can last a lifetime.
We cannot make these arguments on your behalf. But we are ready to provide you with the facts, so that you can make an informed decision with your family’s support.
What about hazing?
It exists in some fraternities — and in clubs, sports teams, and organizations. If you see it, run from it, report it. As far as we’re concerned, any individuals that condone, encourage, or conduct physical or psychological hazing should, well, have their fingernails pulled out — slowly. These houses should be closed immediately (and forever) and the students responsible should get kicked out of Cornell — on their way to jail. Any questions?
I don’t drink very much (at all).
Different chapters have different “party” cultures. Some chapters houses are dry, and even in the ones that aren’t, day-to-day life isn’t anything like what you see in movies.
Let’s be clear. Drinking in college is not the problem. Alcohol abuse is — in fraternities, sororities, dorm rooms, on athletic teams, clubs, and off-campus housing. Since the change of the legal drinking age to 21 in the 1980s, college administrators have struggled to encourage mature, responsible drinking habits for all students, but the results are decidedly mixed.
Find a house where students enjoy themselves, do not abuse alcohol, and respect each member’s personal choices. Find a house where “social” is a healthy part of an active, responsible lifestyle.
Fraternities don’t seem very diverse.
Some are. Some are not. Most want to be. Some students are dissuaded by a stereotype of fraternities as rich and white. The best of Cornell houses actively seek new members different from themselves, recognizing that we learn from people who hold differing opinions, perspectives, and experiences. There are houses that seek and welcome diversity in hometown and home country, academic interest, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, socioeconomic status. Find the houses where you’re appreciated for who you are.
A recent national study concluded that while fraternity membership was less diverse than the campus population, those in fraternities had more interaction with diverse populations while on campus than their non-Greek classmates.