Take time to find out more about the fraternity and sorority community at Johns Hopkins and the chapter your student is joining. Visit the chapter and inter/national websites of the organization to find out what they do and what they are about. Review new member manuals and printed materials provided to your student (rarely is new member material secret). Ask to contact the chapter's alumni advisor to learn about his or her involvement with the chapter. Ask about activities and events that involve parents and participate in them. When you visit campus, meet your student's fellow members and, if possible, their parents. In short, be supportive, be involved, and ask questions.
Students can make their experience as extensive as they might like. Some members spend many hours a week with their chapters participating in intramural athletics, holding an executive office, or attending social functions while others may limit their time to chapter meetings and events. Chapters normally have a weekly membership meeting, meetings for new members, and meetings for the executive board. During their first semester, new members attend a variety of activities to meet other chapter members, learn about the organization's history and values, and develop leadership skills. These events are planned in advance to allow members time for studying, involvement in other organizations, work, and other activities.
Fraternities and sororities are self-governing student organizations; this is a key element in each member's personal development and learning to function as part of a team. Students serve as officers of the organization, develop the standards under which they operate, and hold members accountable to reaching chapter goals and objectives. That being said, fraternities and sororities at Johns Hopkins are offered plenty of guidance. The Office of Greek Life, in coordination with local alumni advisors and international and national headquarters, supports and advises activities and programs of recognized fraternities and sororities. Chapters are also accountable to the policies of the University and those of their inter/national organization.
Membership in a fraternity or sorority is a living and learning experience with shared values and objectives. Members learn to work together to develop and accomplish group goals. A common bond of brotherhood/sisterhood is developed among chapter members - a bond that extends to all who share the same heritage, traditions and ritual and who wear the same badge. These friendships last beyond the college years and are nurtured by alumni activities and networking programs that provide opportunities for continued camaraderie, service, and personal development.
For most groups, the one time expenses include the new member and/or initiation fees and possibly the purchase of fraternity/sorority pins or badges. Recurring expenses (annually or semesterly) include chapter or social dues, headquarters fees, and liability insurance payments. Dues payments go toward social events, chapter programming, and operating expenses. The overall total may vary from group to group. Be sure to advise your student to ask about the costs associated with joining a particular group before joining.
Johns Hopkins University seeks to promote a safe environment in which students may participate without compromising their health, safety, or welfare. All student organizations are accountable to policies of the Undergraduate Student Handbook. For more information about hazing, click here.
Fraternity and sorority grades at Johns Hopkins are typically on par with the rest of the University. In general, sororities are more likely to surpass both the all-campus and the all-women's grade point average. Most fraternity chapters are at or above the all-campus and the all-men's grade point average. Please remember that these are averages; academic performance of individual members, of course, will vary. Fraternity and sorority chapter averages are posted on this site.
[link to Chapter Grade Rankings] Many fraternities and sororities have academic achievement as a core value. Some have GPA requirements for joining and remaining in good standing. Chapters typically elect a scholarship chair to coordinate recognition activities for high achievers and to seek help for members who struggle. Upperclassmen also serve as mentors and as a resource for underclassmen in choosing classes, studying, and navigating the campus and the community. | 
