Tell me about Kent State....

[Rio_Kohitsuji]

My days of being an active are long gone now (well, it's seems that way, lol) and this morning my beautiful and intelligent niece told me she was accepted at Kent State University. I'm wanting her to go through recruitment to see if she would be interested in sorority life and at the least make some new friends. Thankfully she has heard the good AND bad about greek life, as some of you know I was in a local and her (now) uncle was in a national fraternity. (He has told her repeatedly not to date any TKE's, )

So kids, I ask you; How should she prepare if in fact she does go through recruitment? Also, some info on the sororities there would be helpful.

Here are the sororities:
Alpha Phi
Alpha Xi Delta
Chi Omega
Delta Gamma
Delta Zeta
Sigma Sigma Sigma

Please keep in mind I personally could care less about the popularity or anything like that, I just want her to make some true friends and have a home away from home

--Kayla

[gatordeltapgh]

I am pretty sure that Kent State is expanding. I am not sure the time line but she might have the opportunity to consider being a charter member of a new chapter!

[Benzgirl]

Paging KSU Violet!

Per our local source (^^^) the rumor of expansion is untrue.

[KSUViolet06]

I guess I'll chime in here, seeing as I'm a KSU alumna and grad student:

Contrary to what people keep saying, KSU is not expanding at this time. The expansion talk is just a rumor. There were really high recruitment numbers this year, and I do think that if the trend continues, Greek Life will be looking into it.

Greek Life is great way to make the big school seem smaller. That's why alot of girls do it. Sorority and fraternity members are generally the most involved students on campus compared to the rest of the student body. The majority of the campus leaders (Homecoming Court, Student Government, etc. are Greek).

As far as the chapters themselves, I have always felt like girls could have a quality greek life experience in any of them. No, I'm not just saying that. Every sorority is pretty cool. In undergrad, I had friends in every one of them and they all seemed to really love their chapters.

Our PHC actually just launched a new website with links to chapter websites and stuff.

KSU recruitment isn't something you have to really prepare for. It's not competitive at all. I think last year, there were record high numbers for recruitment and quota was 38. So interest in Greek Life is definitely growing.

[Rio_Kohitsuji]

Thanks for the info!! Now, any idea on the cost of dues? I've told her that if she does in fact join I would help her in the money department.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by Rio_Kohitsuji

Thanks for the info!! Now, any idea on the cost of dues? I've told her that if she does in fact join I would help her in the money department.

It really depends on the chapter. We're all kind of different in terms of cost. Typically your first year is the most expensive. I would say that I paid around $900-1000 my first year.

Living in the house (which I think all chapters require you to do at some point) adds additional expenses. Also, some chapters' dues include formal tickets, other social tickets, tee shirts, and favors, so a chapter's dues vary depending on that. Room and board also varies depending on whether you're living in a single, double, triple, or quad in the chapter house (every chapter has different rooming arrangements). Living in the chapter house is generally cheaper than living in most of the dorms.

During Philanthropy Day, each sorority will hand out a financial sheet/pamphlet. The sheets usually list:

*NM fee
*badge fees
*Initiation fees
*any parlor/live-out fees
*room & board fees
*cost of dues per year
*whether the chapter assesses fees/fines
*whether socials, tee shirts, favors, etc. are included in dues
*whether the chapters offer payment plans

I've always appreciated this aspect of KSU recruitment, just because the financial obligations are spelled out in black and white for PNMs and they can seriously consider whether Greek Life is something they can afford.

[longhornscout]

I also have a niece who is going to Kent State next year. She is very interested in Greek Life. Her mother is an AXO and I'm a DG. We both participated in rush in the 80s in Texas and I understand that a northern rush in the 2000s has nothing to do with that experience. Can you help me understand what she should expect? Also, how big are the houses? I know you mentioned that members are expected to live in the house for one year. Does this usually happen Sophomore year? Do rec letters make any difference? Are they even required any more? Sorry for being so clueless about this, but I was involved back in the day of big hair, formal resumes and multiple recs. Help! Thanks.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by longhornscout

I also have a niece who is going to Kent State next year. She is very interested in Greek Life. Her mother is an AXO and I'm a DG. We both participated in rush in the 80s in Texas and I understand that a northern rush in the 2000s has nothing to do with that experience. Can you help me understand what she should expect? Also, how big are the houses? I know you mentioned that members are expected to live in the house for one year. Does this usually happen Sophomore year? Do rec letters make any difference? Are they even required any more? Sorry for being so clueless about this, but I was involved back in the day of big hair, formal resumes and multiple recs. Help! Thanks.

Lots of questions!

I'm a KSU alumna, so I'll try to answer them for you:

*Recruitment at KSU is nothing like it is at a school like (for example) UT. It's very relaxed. There are 6 chapters on campus: Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Delta Zeta, Tri Sigma, and Alpha Xi Delta.

*Recs are not required AT ALL, but if she's legacy to a chapter, it's cool to send one to her legacy chapter (just because chapters like to know if they have a legacy going through).

*Each sorority here has a house, and women are expected to live-in at some point in their time here. Every chapter has a different policy. The chapter houses are different sizes, but most of them sleep somewhere between like 15 and 20ish members. Most girls will live-in their soph or junior year (since most everyone signs a dorm contract as a freshman).

Hope this helps!