Parents & Families | Fraternity & Sorority Life
Parents & Families
Welcome to the FAMU FSL Family
Whether fraternity and sorority membership is a longstanding tradition in your family or completely new to you, we want you to feel informed about your student’s experience.
Fraternity & Sorority Life at Florida A&M University is designed to complement the educational experience through our Five Pillars of Excellence: Fraternal Bond, Scholarship, Unity, Community Impact, and Leadership.
Membership can provide opportunities for leadership development, academic support, service, professional networking, personal growth, and lifelong relationships. It also comes with expectations related to academics, conduct, finances, time, accountability, and organizational involvement.
Your role matters—but this is your student's journey.
We encourage families to stay informed, ask questions, provide support, and empower students to take ownership of their membership decisions and experiences
Know More.
Understanding FAMU's Fraternity & Sorority Life
Understanding FAMU Fraternity & Sorority Life
FAMU's fraternity and sorority tradition dates to 1932 and is rooted in leadership, scholarship, service, community, and lifelong fraternal relationships.
Recognized fraternities and sororities are affiliated with national or international organizations and are organized through FAMU's 4 governing councils:
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Council of Independent Organizations (CIO)
Music Independent Council (MIC)
Professional Fraternity Council (PFC)
Recognized organizations must meet University registration, advisor, training, compliance, insurance, anti-hazing, and other requirements to maintain recognition.
[Explore Our Councils] [Meet Our Chapters] [How to Join] [FSL Handbook]
Support Your Student.
My Student Wants to Join. Now What?
Let your student lead the process.
Seeking membership should be an informed and personal decision. Encourage your student to research organizations, attend approved programs, learn about FAMU's requirements, understand the financial and time commitment, and determine which organization—if any—aligns with their values and goals.
Parents and families can be supportive without choosing the organization for the student.
Remember: Their Letters. Their Decision.
You may be a member of an organization yourself. Your family may have a strong Greek-letter legacy. You may even have an organization you hope your student chooses, but the choice is ultimately theirs. Don’t assume your organization will be the right fit for your student, or that your experience will be their experience.
Give them space to make their own decision.
Fraternities and sororities can differ by campus, chapter, generation, and individual experience.
The organization should fit your student. Your student should never have to compromise who they are to fit the organization.
Know The Difference.
Eligibility Does Not Equal Selection
Meeting FAMU's requirements makes a student eligible for consideration—it does not guarantee membership.
FAMU establishes University requirements that students must satisfy before participating in an approved membership process. Organizations may establish additional or higher requirements consistent with their national policies.
FAMU verifies eligibility. The organization determines membership selection.
A student may meet every University eligibility requirement and still not receive an invitation or opportunity to pursue membership with a particular organization.
Note: Joining can be competitive, and participation in recruitment or intake does not guarantee an invitation to membership.
[Understand Eligibility & Selection ]
Talk About It.
Talk About the Financial Commitment
Joining a fraternity or sorority involves a financial commitment.
First-semester expenses are often higher because they may include initiation, national or regional fees, chapter dues, materials, apparel, insurance, conferences, and other one-time costs. Additional expenses may continue throughout membership.
Before your student begins a membership process, have a conversation about:
- What does it cost to join?
- What do regular semester or annual dues cover?
- Are there additional costs beyond dues?
- Who will be responsible for paying membership expenses?
- What happens if the student's financial situation changes?
- Can support the intake process and tuition and fees at the same time?
- Can your student realistically maintain the commitment without compromising essential educational expenses?
We recommend that families discuss fraternity/sorority financial obligations before a student enters recruitment or intake.
Plan early. Ask questions. Understand the full commitment—not simply the initial fee.
Ask The Right Questions.
Questions to Ask Your Rattler & Yourself
Instead of asking only "Did you get in?", ask questions that help your student think critically about the experience.
"Why are you interested in this organization?"
"What have you learned about its values and national organization?"
"Have you researched more than what you've seen on Instagram (social media) or at campus events?"
"How does this organization align with your goals and values?"
“Have you connected with current members of the chapter and asked questions?
"Do you understand the financial commitment?"
"How will you balance membership with classes, work, and your other responsibilities?"
"Do you feel like you can be yourself around the members?"
"How are you doing—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally?"
"Are you still attending class, sleeping, eating, and keeping up with your responsibilities?"
"Do you feel respected and safe?"
"Are you being asked to do anything that makes you uncomfortable or conflicts with your values?"
"Do you know who you can contact if something doesn't feel right?"
"What are you learning from the experience?"
"How is the organization helping you grow?"
"How are you contributing to your chapter?"
"How are your academics?"
"What leadership or service opportunities are you pursuing?"
"Are you still enjoying the experience?"
Support First. Empower When Possible. Act When Necessary.
College is also an opportunity for students to learn how to advocate for themselves.
For routine questions about membership, deadlines, chapter operations, or eligibility,
encourage your student to contact FAMU-FSL/the Office of Student Activities themselves.
We recommend allowing your student to make their own calls and navigate questions
as part of developing maturity and assertiveness.
However, do not wait when you have a credible concern involving:
Hazing • Immediate Safety • Threats • Abuse • Medical Emergencies • Serious Mental or Physical Well-Being Concerns
Contact the appropriate University or emergency resource.
- Office of Student Activities - 850-599-3400 | esua@famu.edu
- The Universty Ombudsman - bryanf.smith@famu.edu
- FAMU Police Department - (850) 599-3256 | fampol@famu.edu | FAMU Police Department | Protecting FAMU
Membership is the beginning, not the finish line.
Once your student becomes a member, encourage them to make the experience about more than wearing letters.
Ask how they are using membership to:
Strengthen their academics.
Develop as a leader.
Serve their community.
Build meaningful relationships.
Expand their professional network.
Learn accountability.
Prepare for life after FAMU.
FAMU FSL's mission emphasizes leadership development, meaningful engagement, academic achievement, personal discovery, and accountability—not membership for membership's sake.
More Than Our Letters.
The goal is for membership to add to the Rattler experience and help students leave FAMU better prepared to lead, serve, and positively impact their communities.
Presentations, Reveals & Public Celebrations
We know families are excited to celebrate this milestone.
When a chapter hosts an approved public presentation, reveal, new member presentation, or other public recognition event, families and supporters are encouraged to attend when the event is open to the public.
Before Making Travel Plans
Wait until official event information has been announced.
Dates, times, locations, admission requirements, venue policies, and guest procedures may vary. Students and families should rely on information officially published by FAMU Fraternity & Sorority Life/Office of Student Activities, the recognized chapter, governing council, or University.
Please do not make nonrefundable travel arrangements based solely on rumors, unofficial social media posts, or anticipated membership timelines.
Yes. If you are on social media, we encouage you to follow not only our page but the chapter's page as well.
Main FAMU-FSL page - @FAMU_GREEKLIFE
Council Pages -
Chapter Pages -
FSL Center
FOR THE FLAME. FOR THE STANDARD. FOR THE LEGACY.
All membership activities must be conducted through an approved, authorized membership process.
Learn MoreStudents should never be asked or expected to participate in unauthorized activities as a condition of membership..
FAMU, ESUA, and FSL do not select members on behalf of individual fraternities/sororities, or groups.
Learn MoreFAMU's role is to establish University eligibility requirements, verify student eligibility, authorize intake periods, and provide oversight for compliance..
No letters, organization, tradition, or membership opportunity is worth compromising your safety, dignity, health, educ
Learn MoreParents and families are important partners in recognizing changes in student behavior..
Family FAQ
.
No. University eligibility establishes whether a student may be considered for participation. Membership selection is determined by the organization, which may maintain additional requirements.
For routine membership questions, encourage your student to communicate directly. Families should contact FSL when they need general information or have a concern involving safety, hazing, policy, or student well-being.
Costs vary by organization and may be higher during the initial semester. Students should request information about initial fees, recurring dues, and expenses beyond dues before committing financially.
It is another significant commitment that must be balanced with academics. FAMU FSL identifies Scholarship as one of its Five Pillars and expects members to pursue academic excellence at all times. Academics 1st.
That's okay. Fraternity and sorority membership is not for everyone. FAMU's own aspirant guidance emphasizes that the meaningful choice is an informed one.
That's okay. Fraternity and sorority membership is not for everyone. We emphasize that the meaningful choice is an informed one.
Visit us online and check out our webpage, Instagram page, the FSL Handbook, the Student Handbook, and other resources listed on our site.
A final message to Rattler families
Stay informed. Ask questions. Support their growth. Let them lead.
Fraternity and sorority membership should enhance your student's FAMU experience—not define it. Encourage your Rattler to protect their academics, values, well-being, and future while making the most of the relationships, leadership, service, scholarship, and opportunities that membership can provide.
For the Flame. For the Standard. For the Legacy.
We are more than our letters.
Edward Kincheon Jr.
Assistant Director, Fraternity & Sorority Life and Volunteer Programs
#Fangs Up
