Telling the 'rents... - Page 2

srmom · #1 07-28-2009, 06:09 PM

mkose, I'm not sure which Texas school you are attending, but if it is UT, your parents will get a contract that they have to sign saying that they will pay the dues. The contract also lays out all the risk management stuff and my son's responsibilities to the fraternity.

I doubt there are many freshmen who can front the dues ($$$) for four years without their parents finding out about it, but maybe some houses let the students sign the contract.

I just know my son's doesn't - it has to be signed by us and him.

Munchkin03 · #2 07-28-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srmom

mkose, I'm not sure which Texas school you are attending, but if it is UT, your parents will get a contract that they have to sign saying that they will pay the dues. The contract also lays out all the risk management stuff and my son's responsibilities to the fraternity.

I doubt there are many freshmen who can front the dues ($$$) for four years without their parents finding out about it, but maybe some houses let the students sign the contract.

I just know my son's doesn't - it has to be signed by us and him.

Really? There's no way my parents would have signed that agreement. Like I mentioned earlier, they aren't against Greek life, but they made it very clear to me and my sister that we were on our own as far as dues were concerned. Most of the women in my chapter paid their own dues from working an on-campus job or summer savings--granted, they were only about $350/semester. What about people whose parents didn't even pay for their tuition?

srmom · #3 07-29-2009, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Munchkin03

Really? There's no way my parents would have signed that agreement. Like I mentioned earlier, they aren't against Greek life, but they made it very clear to me and my sister that we were on our own as far as dues were concerned. Most of the women in my chapter paid their own dues from working an on-campus job or summer savings--granted, they were only about $350/semester. What about people whose parents didn't even pay for their tuition?

The fraternity dues at UT run around $5,000 a year (plus social fees), so unless the kid is either independently wealthy, or has a DAMN good summer job, they'll probably need some help from the good old "Bank of Mom & Dad" to help pay the costs.

I would guess if the kids are paying their own tuitions, then fraternity life might be out.

Quote:

Aren't dues at UT, A&M, and Tech well over $1000?

Ummmh, yeah, see above

pshsx1 · #4 07-29-2009, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srmom

The fraternity dues at UT run around $5,000 a year (plus social fees), so unless the kid is either independently wealthy, or has a DAMN good summer job, they'll probably need some help from the good old "Bank of Mom & Dad" to help pay the costs.

I would guess if the kids are paying their own tuitions, then fraternity life might be out.

Ummmh, yeah, see above

Yeahhhh that's what I thought... and add housing fees on top of all of that.. I'm happy with my $500 a year.

chickenoodle · #5 07-28-2009, 06:14 PM

When I was considering recruitment, I talked to a few close family members and friends. I mostly got laughed at. How awesome is that?

TexasDarling · #6 07-28-2009, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenoodle

When I was considering recruitment, I talked to a few close family members and friends. I mostly got laughed at. How awesome is that?

Wow that is ROUGH.

My mom is supportive of everything I do no matter what and my dad came around when I showed him how much better Greek GPAs are compared to non-greek on my campus. There is a pretty big difference. Plus my school is well, HUGE. So he decided it would probably be best for me to find a close group of friends like he had. (He went to a small state school with all of his buddies from elementary, middle and high school.

chickenoodle · #7 07-28-2009, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TexasDarling

Wow that is ROUGH.

My mom is supportive of everything I do no matter what and my dad came around when I showed him how much better Greek GPAs are compared to non-greek on my campus. There is a pretty big difference. Plus my school is well, HUGE. So he decided it would probably be best for me to find a close group of friends like he had. (He went to a small state school with all of his buddies from elementary, middle and high school.

It sucked, but most of my family did not go greek and has negative opinions about the whole deal. I explained to them what specifically I was looking for and what sororities on my campus had to offer. They still have their doubts, but at least they know why I'm pursuing this. I have their support, even if they don't agree.

chickenoodle · #8 07-28-2009, 10:24 PM

I find the contract/agreement interesting. I'm not sure if it will apply to my Florida school, but I know for certain my mother would not sign it. I've been financially independent for several years and I anticipate paying for dues, etc. myself.

I chalk this up to being a newbie, but... if a PNM is adult enough to choose for herself/himself whether or not to pursue Greek membership (as was discussed earlier in the thread), why is it necessary to obtain the parent's signature on this contract/agreement? I'm assuming the NM is of legal age and the agreement outlines the expectations of both the organization and NM.

mkose1 · #9 07-29-2009, 12:04 AM

Well I am going to UT, but if they do have us have our parents sign, i could probably go to my mom, as i've said she's the only one that knows and just wants me to be smart about it, dues are another ordeal...but i'm pretty good with money and i can work a budget, so hopefully that'll keep the struggle at a minimum. But yeah thanks for all the advise, hopefully my dad doesn't take it too hard when I tell him...

pshsx1 · #10 07-29-2009, 03:43 AM

Aren't dues at UT, A&M, and Tech well over $1000?

HeavenslilAngel · #11 07-29-2009, 04:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshsx1

Aren't dues at UT, A&M, and Tech well over $1000?

WOW!!!!

my small state school was only like 2-300 per semester.

mkose1 · #12 07-29-2009, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pshsx1

Aren't dues at UT, A&M, and Tech well over $1000?

I looked into that and it ranges from about $500/semester at one house all the way to $2500/semester at another...so i guess yeah you are right. Oh well, I can think of something...

KSUViolet06 · #13 07-29-2009, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkose1

I looked into that and it ranges from about $500/semester at one house all the way to $2500/semester at another...so i guess yeah you are right. Oh well, I can think of something...

Just an FYI:

Greek Life is a big financial commitment.

It is very important for you to consider whether it is something you or your family can afford BEFORE participating in recruitment or accepting a bid.

Example: if you plan on paying for it yourself, be sure you have a budget that's going to support that (i.e. that you're getting enough hours and such). If your parents are paying, be sure that they're well aware of that so they can plan ahead, etc.

mkose1 · #14 07-29-2009, 11:47 AM

Oh I completely understand that, and I have a way to make things work out. I know that my parents will be sending me money monthly and are telling me to work a budget for it, I'll just budget money monthly to cover dues and other expenses. I can work with money.

DLanoliN · #15 07-29-2009, 12:13 PM

It really depends on the sitution you have with your parents. I did not tell my parents until I was innitiated. My parents came to pick me up at the end of the semester, and I had my letters on. I didn't tell them to save them worry and disapproval. It worked well in my situation to say "Hey look, I did this, I am fine, and it was a good choice for all these reasons.. etc". It ended up being a good decision for me.

However, I support myself through college. Not only did I recieve nothing from my parents to pay for my Sorority experience, I also recieved nothing to contribute to college in general. I think parents should know if they will be expected to contribute to the cost of your choice. You're an adult though, and joining the experience of Greek life is a choice you deserve to make.