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Parents often have many questions about sorority life.  This is understandable – if your daughter becomes Greek, she will become a part of something new, different, and much larger than herself.  This page is here to help parents understand the benefits of Greek life, and why almost half of Centre’s freshman class decides to go through recruitment every year.

Will my daughter still have time for school?
Yes.  The average all-sorority GPA is consistently at or above the all-women’s GPA, with many chapters surpassing it.  Greek women in every chapter manage to maintain excellent grades while balancing leadership positions and community service, all of which the Greek community strives to promote.  Each chapter has individual scholarship programs designed to help its members; examples can be found in the “Scholarship” section of the website.

What about the cost?
While each sorority on Centre’s campus requires dues, all have some kind of payment plan designed to allow their members to pay the dues in installments.  Also, each sorority’s inter/national organization offers scholarships to its members.  If your daughter is committed to going Greek, there are ways to offset the cost.

Will my daughter be hazed?  What about gender issues and alcohol awareness?
Hazing is considered unacceptable by every sorority on Centre’s campus.  All active members must sign anti-hazing forms before formal recruitment begins.  Hazing, as well as gender issues and alcohol awareness, is discussed at length during “Greek 101,” a program designed (and required) for New Members.  Sponsored by Centre’s Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils, it serves to educate the men and women entering the Greek community.

If you have any questions regarding Greek life on Centre’s campus, feel free to contact the Panhellenic Council Vice President of Public Relations, Cornelia Gordon (cornelia.gordon@centre.edu), or the Director of Greek Affairs and New Student Orientation, Melissa Clarke (melissa.clarke@centre.edu).

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Below is an open letter written by Melissa Clarke, the Director of Greek Affairs and New Student Orientation, to the parent’s of this year’s incoming freshman class:

Dear Parents,

Sororities have been a part of Centre College for over 25 years. Traditionally, they have challenged students to achieve even greater heights intellectually, personally and socially. The undergraduate members at Centre pride themselves on the individual personality and nature of each sorority on campus. The sorority community offers a rich and rewarding experience for their members. In addition, sororities have contributed substantially to campus life, community service, and the educational mission of the College.

The strength and attractiveness of sororities lie in their ability to develop innovative approaches and to maintain effective programs that maximize the character of the chapters and the community within the overall framework of the College. Although each sorority sponsors its own functions and possesses its own identity, all have many things in common. They all seek to foster an environment where one can:

● Develop bonds of sisterhood
● Develop leadership and interpersonal skills
● Form lifetime friendships
● Work together with others in an atmosphere of teamwork 
● Perform community service projects 
● Program social functions for the student community 

The underlying purpose of the College is education: to nurture intellectual curiosity, to instruct in various disciplines, to encourage social and moral growth, and to provide an atmosphere conducive to the pursuit of these goals. It is the responsibility of sororities to foster an atmosphere of learning, social responsibility, respect for human dignity, and to provide positive influence and constructive development for members and prospective members.  It is our hope that your daughter will decide to explore the many opportunities offered by sorority life.

Sincerely,

Melissa Clarke
Director of Greek Affairs and New Student Orientation
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