Dues?

[endofthemovie]

I think at one point someone mentioned that their school required sororities to put dues on the flyers they handed out at information sessions. Does anyone know if Purdue or Ohio State has that policy?

I might be paying for my own dues, or at least part of them, and I will be paying for the majority of college costs, so I don't want to rush only to find out I can't afford to join a sorority.

Also, if dues increase when you live in the house, about how much of an increase is there? Like, twice as much? A couple hundred dollars more?

[KSUViolet06]

My school required chapters to do this during formal recruitment. Chapters also do it during COB.

Dues vary alot by campus and chapter.

Generally speaking, costs increase significantly when you live-in. You are not only paying dues, but housing and meals as well.

I'll use my chapter as an example: I had to pay about $900 in dues, plus $2500ish in room and board fees when I lived in. Then there were extras like parlor fees, formal and other events, tee shirts, etc. So it is a significant increase.

I would suggest really considering whether or not this is something you can afford BEFORE you go through recruitment.

[honeychile]

Another matter to consider is how many months of the year for which you would be required to pay dues. If the sorority houses are university owned, they tend to charge only for the months of the school year. Those houses completely owned by the sorority tend to charge for the entire year.

[aephi alum]

The sororities at my school made little half-sheets available during formal recruitment. These half-sheets detailed semester dues, initiation/badge fees, parlor fees, and rent for the chapters that had houses.

If nothing else, you should be able to get ballpark figures from the Greek Life office or your recruitment counselor.

Your new-member semester will be the most expensive (leaving out room and board if you live in the chapter's house). You will have to pay initiation fees and buy a badge. You will also be tempted to buy a bunch of lettered items - you can find any number of lettered t-shirts, sweatshirts, keychains, car stickers, tote bags, glasses, etc.

Also, if you live in-house, yes, you will have to pay for room and board, but you have to pay for that anyway, whether you live in-house, in a dorm, or in an off-campus apartment. Living in-house may work out to be less expensive than living in a dorm.

[endofthemovie]

Originally Posted by aephi alum

Also, if you live in-house, yes, you will have to pay for room and board, but you have to pay for that anyway, whether you live in-house, in a dorm, or in an off-campus apartment. Living in-house may work out to be less expensive than living in a dorm.

Yeah, that's what my dad told me. He said it's approximately the same in a dorm or in the house, maybe less, maybe more. He also said that room and board at the house could be covered by a loan, just like for a dorm, so that would be helpful.

[nate2512]

At Ohio State, the average per quarter is $555 out of house $2284 in house. The average for new member quarter is $728.

http://osugreeks.com/pha/09viewbook.html

[endofthemovie]

Originally Posted by nate2512

At Ohio State, the average per quarter is $555 out of house $2284 in house. The average for new member quarter is $728.

http://osugreeks.com/pha/09viewbook.html

That's definitely a lot less than what I had been thinking, lol, and should be feasible. Thanks!

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by endofthemovie

That's definitely a lot less than what I had been thinking, lol, and should be feasible. Thanks!

The linked website has some great information. Try it.

[endofthemovie]

Originally Posted by honeychile

Another matter to consider is how many months of the year for which you would be required to pay dues. If the sorority houses are university owned, they tend to charge only for the months of the school year. Those houses completely owned by the sorority tend to charge for the entire year.

Thanks, I hadn't thought about that.

[endofthemovie]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I would suggest really considering whether or not this is something you can afford BEFORE you go through recruitment.

Yeah, that's why I was wondering. I want to avoid having to drop, assuming I get a bid, if I can. Or at least have some sort of idea about how much it will cost me so I don't go into the situation totally blind.

[ZetaGirl22]

Living in IS more expensive yes, but in most cases in my experience, it actually works out to be cheaper than living in the dorms AND paying dues. In fact when I lived in my chapter house, both the room and board AND dues combined were a few hundred less than if I had lived in the dorms.

[Thetagirl218]

Originally Posted by ZetaGirl22

Living in IS more expensive yes, but in most cases in my experience, it actually works out to be cheaper than living in the dorms AND paying dues. In fact when I lived in my chapter house, both the room and board AND dues combined were a few hundred less than if I had lived in the dorms.

This is one of the main reasons I wished my chapter had a house when I was in college! It would have been so nice to live with my sisters, pay my dues, and save money on rent at the same time!!!

[myopicsunflower]

One thing that may or may not be included in the dues information that Panhellenic gives you is whether or not a sorority's dues assess or are inclusive.

If a sorority assesses, it has one amount for dues, but then you pay throughout the semester or year for various other things (events, shirts, etc).

If the dues are inclusive, you pay one amount which covers everything -- your chapter and national dues, as well as the various other things.

Generally, there isn't much difference in the total amounts you will pay, whether a sorority assesses or has inclusive dues. It's a matter of whether that amount will be paid up front or over the course of a term.

Good to know for financial planning...

[endofthemovie]

Originally Posted by myopicsunflower

One thing that may or may not be included in the dues information that Panhellenic gives you is whether or not a sorority's dues assess or are inclusive.

If a sorority assesses, it has one amount for dues, but then you pay throughout the semester or year for various other things (events, shirts, etc).

If the dues are inclusive, you pay one amount which covers everything -- your chapter and national dues, as well as the various other things.

Generally, there isn't much difference in the total amounts you will pay, whether a sorority assesses or has inclusive dues. It's a matter of whether that amount will be paid up front or over the course of a term.

Good to know for financial planning...

I didn't know dues could be paid two different ways, thanks. I try to be very careful about spending my money, so this is helpful, thanks.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by endofthemovie

I didn't know dues could be paid two different ways, thanks. I try to be very careful about spending my money, so this is helpful, thanks.

She's not describing how they could be paid.

What this means is that some sororities dues are higher than others because they include certain things in the cost of dues (all-inclusive) rather than having you pay for them out of pocket (assessing).

For example: My chapter had higher dues than some because we included formal tickets, other social tickets, and favors/tee shirts in the cost of dues (all inclusive).

On the other hand, there were other chapters with LOWER dues that asked girls to pay out of pocket for formal tickets, socials, favors, etc.

It's good to find out whether a chapter has all-inclusive dues or if you'll be required to pay out of pocket for certain stuff.