While the following information addresses many common concerns a parent might have when their son is thinking about joining a fraternity, we know it does no cover everything. If you have any additional concerns or questions please get a hold of us through our contact page. We are here to help in any way possible.
Though you may have been exposed to negative stereotypes of fraternities, joining a Greek organization is one of the best decisions your son can make during his college years. Over 140 years ago, our founders laid the basic principles and values of an organization that complimented our college education by giving back to our communities; the best way to put an education to use. As a Pike, your son will learn how to lead and compromise within a group while serving on committees and in chapter meetings and to hone those skills; he will have access to Pi Kappa Alpha's leadership summits held annually across the country. He'll be given the tools and confidence to strive for high grades through our chapter scholarship programs. The chapter atmosphere will promote diversity in your son's life and encourage him to join other groups on campus to better him. Perhaps most importantly, he'll have a network of over 250,000 brothers across the world to help and mentor him through every stage of his life. The phrase "helicopter parent" is overdramatic, but parents are clearly more involved in the decisions their sons make today than in the past. Our goal is to help you understand Pi Kappa Alpha and all of its benefits, while letting you know about our risk management policies and the expectations we hold for every member of the Fraternity.
Parent’s FAQ
Will my son’s fraternity experience be like the movies “Animal House” and “Beta House”?
Unfortunately, movies such as "Animal House" and "Beta House" have given fraternities a bad name as irresponsible, reckless, and foolish. These movies in no way resemble the reality of our fraternity. Members of Iota Gamma are part of a value-based organization and they commit themselves to their growth as individuals through academic achievement, leadership experiences, diversified networks and community involvement. Pikes believe there is no better compliment to a college education than philanthropic participation in the community.
Is there hazing and what is ritual?
Pi Kappa Alpha recognizes the danger hazing poses for individuals and the detrimental effect hazing inherently has on organizations. Undergraduate delegates to numerous International Conventions have repeatedly adopted legislation denouncing hazing. Pi Kappa Alpha has developed a new member education program completely void of hazing and requires that each chapter reads and distributes the Chapter Statement on Position on Hazing to each new member. The Fraternity mandates an eight week new member education program that educates new members on their fraternal responsibilities as active members and prepares each man with the tools to immediately contribute to the success of the chapter.
The word “ritual” is often associated with sacrificial scenes from movies, when in fact it is nothing more than a confirmation of our beliefs in the presence of our brothers. The Ritual of Pi Kappa Alpha is a member's only event where the values and ideals of our fraternity are explained and new members commit themselves to these values and ideals for life.
I don’t want my son’s grades to hurt; will the time he invests in the Fraternity hinder his achievement?
One of the biggest adjustments a new collegiate has to make is getting used to the time management and personal accountability required to be successful academically. Academics are emphasized from day one at Pi Kappa Alpha. Study hours, tutoring and brother mentoring are all encouraged activities in the new member education program. A commitment to scholastic excellence carries on well beyond initiation. Iota Gamma offers financial incentives for outstanding scholastic performance and brothers in the same major can offer advice on the best path to graduation. Additionally, studies show that Fraternity membership increases retention by 28% and that 70% of greek members graduate compared to only 50% of non-greek students.
How will the Fraternity help my son after graduation?
There are over 129,000 living Pi Kappa Alpha alumni. While membership in the Fraternity cannot guarantee a member a job after graduation, a network of such magnitude will definitely open some doors along the way. Some notable prominent Pikes include Tim McGraw, Bobby Bowden, Stephen Covey and Ted Koppel. Click here for a list of ‘Prominent Pikes’.
On top of the alumni network, members of Pi Kappa Alpha also receive valuable life lessons and leadership training through their experiences within the Fraternity. There are numerous leadership roles available in the chapter as well as activities including, community service projects, philanthropies and social events that will help your son develop the necessary leadership and social skills to be successful after graduation.
Will it cost a lot of money?
Pi Kappa Alpha's fees are in line with most fraternities across the country. When your son becomes a new member there is a one time $50 fee assessed for a new member pin and a manual of Pi Kappa Alpha. Iota Gamma is supported by the dues of our members, and upon initiation there are semester dues of $285. The $285/semester fee goes towards the various expenses that allow us to run our chapter. In addition there is a $100/summer fee that helps us pay for our summer recruitment.
Who’s in charge of the Fraternity?
Pi Kappa Alpha chapters are governed by the undergraduate members. However, the chapters each have an alumni advisor who stands by to guide chapters along the way and keep an eye on their activities. The National Fraternity offers advice, guidance and programming through a paid staff that makes yearly visits to all their chapters.
How does my son go about joining a Fraternity and which is the best for him?
Many campuses organize a recruitment process for students to learn about the fraternities on their campus. Chapters of Pi Kappa Alpha are always open to meeting new members and are happy to speak with anyone interested in Greek Life. Remember that just like a search for college, your son must find a fraternity that suites his personality and needs. Every group has different strengths and weaknesses, do not be afraid to ask questions about chapters to find the right one.
What is my role as a parent?
We encourage all of our parents to be as involved as possible and ask a lot of questions. This will likely be a growing experience for you and your son. We try to provide as much information as possible on our site. There is also additional information provided on our international website here. Also, do not hesitate to contact our chapter president or recruitment chairman with any questions or concerns you have. You can find their contact information here.