Remember, that's your full meal plan, dues, formal, parties, tee shirts, retreats, etc, etc, etc.

Yep, titchou is correct. That's an all in one price. Bama greek ain't cheap! Be prepared for the big price tag!

The concept of "Old Row" sororities is not a designated place at Bama (like where the new houses are), or a "status" that is purchased (unless something has changed in recent years).

The concept has been around for a very long time -- including the same sororities, for the most part, for decades -- and there were no "Old Row" charges or extra "Old Row" costs on the house bill then.

Historically (and currently) "Old Row" sororities might be considered strong-rushing chapters that are in-state strongholds. If shirts are sold or joint parties held, it is possible that these involve increased costs (but this could happen regardless of what chapters are involved).

I don't think the prospect of a new (or entirely renovated) house at Bama is avoidable at this point -- but wish we had more specific info on costs for you.

Good luck to you during recruitment!

I think is right in line with other SEC schools as well as the University of Texas

I have no idea what is involved in costs for KKG at Alabama BUT I can tell you that it is against our bylaws and standing rules to charge monetary fines for anything. So, while other houses may fine girls for missing chapter, etc, the KKGs do not. Hope that helps.

LSU is no where near that expensive. Maybe living in house but then you are not paying for a dorm or an apt. so I don't know if I would even count that as sorority costs since you have to pay for that anyway.

If you don't mind my asking, then what is the discipline involved? Getting sent to standards?

I don't recall my chapter having financial fines either. If you didn't make enough points (chapter attendance, grades, other stuff) I think there were things you weren't allowed to attend, like formal. But I don't remember us ever having a problem with people not showing up to stuff.

Yes, repeated infractions result in being sent to standards. Nd possibly could result in some sort of probation, i magine, if things got really bad. Standards is out of my wheelhouse so am not sure what happens with habitual offenders. During recruitment, etc if you are late, for example, you get a "Job Jar" assignment. You are given a job to do like empty the trash cans after the rec session or straighten all the chairs, etc. No one likes doing this stuff because when the rec session is over, you are ready to get the heck out of that room for a while and grab some food and a nap!

Personally, I really did not realize this was unusual or not the norm until I became an advisor. I just thought everyone did it this way. But I can see how arbitrary these fines can become and how unpredictable this monetary component of sorority membership can be, and therefore,be somewhat difficult for young women.

With our chapters, they can do either - pay the fine or work it off. But it's up to Honor Board to determine which and how it is set up is in the standing rules.

If you go here http://uapanhellenic.com/index.php?o...id=11&Itemid=4 and click on the various profiles, the resulting page will often (not always, but usually) have a link for a 2013 brochure. The resulting brochure often (not always but often) has a list of costs.
Seems to be around $6,000 or so per year for out-of-house expenses. First year, add another $600 to $1,000 for various one-time fees. Some may be less, some may be more.

I was interested so I looked there and that led me to this:
http://greekaffairs.ua.edu/parents.c...Responsibility

The Greek Life office estimates $2100 per semester for a sorority member who lives out of house.

Monetary Fines
 

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My chapter had HUGE monetary fines. Specifically for recruitment. It was a major turn off. I almost dropped because of it.

Now after I graduating, I understand them; if you miss work, you don't get paid. However, at the time, working my way through college, I needed that money to pay for school. The chapter needed all the bodies they could for recruitment. My family with a long tradition of Greek life had never heard of this. They were were appalled. They could not believe that the chapter would be so adamant about attendance, let alone fining.

I really wish this side of Greek life would be discussed more here. PNMs need to know about ALL aspects of Greek life. Granted every chapter is different. It is not like you go into Recruitment and say "How much are your fines?"

Maybe things have changed. I hope they have. But, I doubt it.

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I think you're right, in that sorority membership is a commitment, for better and for worse. There are plenty of both and when there seems to be a lot more worse than better, it's time to suck it up. You made a commitment. I would guess that ridiculous financial fines was the only way to hit home with a lot of girls. You can't deny them the possibility to be an officer because the chapter is so huge that opportunity is slight anyway. You can't deny them the opportunity to attend social events or formals because they don't want to go anyway! Ability to live in the house: same. But on the other hand, the financial penalties don't hurt a lot of girls either because Mommy and Daddy just pay it, no questions asked.

I think the next big challenge in Greek life is member retention and there is some creativity that needs to be tapped to solve some of these issues. I would start by making the pledge period more of a challenge (not hazing but not 6 weeks of Christmas either) and a real discussion about commitment with the pledges. All the gifts and adoration might be counter-productive.