UMKC encourages all students to explore fraternities and sororities. Participating in fraternity and sorority activities can give all students opportunities to meet new people, learn about campus life, and have fun. For students who decide to “Go Greek,” it often becomes one of the most important, most positive decisions they make in their lives. The only real way to learn about our community is to explore it fairly and experience it personally.
Fraternity and sorority members do many good things. Each semester Greek service projects raise thousands of dollars for charity. On average, fraternity and sorority members consistently get better grades than non-Greeks. Greeks encourage members to be involved in campus life and leadership. Greeks have fun in parties, mixers, “date dashes,” and major events like Court Warming and Greek Week. Greeks join international networks of alumni who can help with networking in post-collegiate life. Greeks get experience leading organizations, including running business meetings, managing budgets, and organizing events. Most importantly, though, Greeks develop some of the closest friendships of their lives and have a more meaningful college experience because of them.
Though our Greek system is relatively small, it maintains a proud heritage. Several chapters are considered among the best in the nation by their international headquarters offices. All chapters routinely make great accomplishments in service projects, campus leadership, and individual accomplishments. All chapters are currently in good standing with the University and their constituent offices.
There are seventeen chapters: seven fraternities and nine sororities. Of these, five are Interfraternity Council fraternities, three are Panhellenic sororities, one is a local sorority, one is an international sorority, three are historically African American fraternities, and four are historically African American sororities. More than 500 students are members of fraternities and sororities.
Alcohol is a part of Greek life at UMKC, just as it is a reality for nearly any group of college-age students. Greeks, however, have extensive risk management programs to make sure students remain safe, and oversight from UMKC and from international headquarters offices. In fact, according to the statewide CORE survey, UMKC Greeks engage in less dangerous behavior than non-Greeks and are one of the most responsible Greek communities in the state.
Hazing is not only illegal, it is antithetical to the values of Greek organizations. If it was revealed that any UMKC organization conducted hazing activities, the organization and its members would face harsh disciplinary procedures. There is no reason to believe any Greek organization at UMKC hazes.
Greeks are extremely busy between being leaders and being involved on campus. However, Greeks also consistently get better grades than non-Greek students, and nationally have significantly higher graduation and post-graduation success rates. Greek organizations stress learning above all and will always accommodate a member's academic needs, including establishing tutoring sessions or study times if a member is struggling.
The Student Life Office works very closely with all social fraternities and sororities to help them realize their potential. A full-time staff member is devoted to creating educational programming and training for members to help them develop and grow, and to provide oversight and advising to help them follow paths to excellence. UMKC works directly with members, student leaders, volunteer advisors, international headquarters offices, and national networks of Greek life professionals to assure the success of Greek chapters and Greek individuals. The Greek advisor is on-call for Greeks at all times, and lives within two blocks of every current chapter house.
Eight of our fourteen organizations have houses. They are located on or very near campus. To protect student privacy, we do not give out their exact locations.
The majority of UMKC Greeks do not live in chapter houses. UMKC fraternity and sorority houses are subject to Kansas City zoning laws that no more than five non-related persons can share the same house. Members who do not live in chapter houses live in residence halls on campus, or off-campus with parents or in their own apartments like other students.
Every chapter has dues and they are all different. These rates are based on fees from headquarters offices, insurance rates, and fees to maintain chapter operations.
Each chapter is different. The most important thing is to be exposed is to meet the members of each chapter, learn about the organizations' values and activities, and decide which chapter—if any—best suits your personality and values.
Every chapter has members from almost every school at UMKC. The most important thing is to find out which chapter best fits your personality and values. After that, the chapter will help with your studies no matter your discipline.
Each chapter is different. The best path is for a person to participate in a few activities. Once the person decides that a chapter is right for him or her, and the chapter decides that the person is qualified for membership, membership issues take care of themselves. |
