Fraternities and sororities offer multiple opportunities for your student to get involved on campus, succeed in class, and have a social network to lean on during school and after graduation. The FSL community values academics, service, leadership, and unity. These values steer students to form life-long friendships with peers, work vigorously in their classwork, give back to those in need, and gain experience and responsibilities that they can carry over into the working world.

We encourage parents and family of FSL students to get involved with their student's organization and to stay connected to their student throughout their college career. Many of our organizations offer Parent/Family Weekend activities where parents can come to Las Cruces and meet the other members or alumni of their student's organization. Often times, parents and family serve as the link between a student's school life and home life. Parents and family offer stability and encouragement to their student as they work to balance their social life and academics, so we encourage parents and family to be present and involved with their student's fraternity or sorority involvement.

Be supportive and learn as much as you can by asking your student questions prior to and throughout their membership. It is important that you understand the financial commitment your student is making including the cost of membership, when monies are due, how the bill is paid, etc.

We encourage parents and family of FSL students to get involved with their student's organization and to stay connected to their student throughout their college career. Many of our organizations offer Parent/Family Weekend activities where parents can come to Las Cruces and meet the other members or alumni of their student's organization. Often times, parents and family serve as the link between a student's school life and home life. Parents and family offer stability and encouragement to their student as they work to balance their social life and academics, so we encourage parents and family to be present and involved with their student's fraternity or sorority involvement.

Hazing is not tolerated at NMSU and our students work hard to keep this out of their organizations. There is potential for hazing to occur in any student organization on a college campus. Hazing within fraternity and sorority organizations may not always be obvious to outsiders. As a parent or family member, it is important you know what hazing looks and sounds like to help provide guidance and protection should it be a part of your student's experience.

While hazing can be simply defined as, “The act or omission is committed in connection with an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, any organization. For the purpose of this policy, “organization” means an intercollegiate or intramural athletic team; chartered student organization; or other association, order, society, corps, cooperative, club, department, unit, division or similar group that is officially or unofficially affiliated with the university and whose membership consists primarily of enrolled students or employees of the university; and The act or omission creates an unreasonable risk of emotional or physical harm, or causes actual physical harm, mental duress or degradation, or unreasonably interferes with a person’s academic endeavors or progress, or work environment,” it is not always clear where the line of team building/tradition is crossed and hazing begins for some students.

New Mexico State University actively inquires, investigates, addresses, and holds organizations or individuals accused and found responsible for hazing accountable. Click Here to learn more about your options to report organizational behavior.

Annual membership dues vary from approximately $200 to $4500. These costs are used to pay for the upkeep of a chapter house or lodge, philanthropy events, scholarships, intramurals, and the dozens of social events offered.

When looking at organizations, encourage your student to ask questions about the cost of membership, such as:

- Do they offer payment plans?

- Do they offer scholarships?

- Are fees paid upfront? Annually? Per semester?

- What is included?

Sororities and fraternities serve as a great resource for students academically through study hours and tutoring programs. Most fraternities and sororities have a GPA requirement for initial membership and to remain active members in the organization. These requirements are often higher than the general campus average. Organizations often regulate study hours, reward those who do well academically, and help those experiencing difficulties. The Fraternity and Sorority Life community releases a grade report with each individual chapter each fall and spring.

New Mexico State University has a professional staff member and graduate intern dedicated to the oversight, education, and programming provided for members and leaders of the fraternity and sorority community. Feel free to contact us anytime

Each organization is also required to maintain volunteer and faculty/staff advisors to provide guidance to the leadership. In many cases these volunteers are alumni of these organizations and had their own undergraduate experience with additional training from the inter/national organization.

The Inter/National organizations affiliated with the local chapters at NMSU provide minimum expectations, policies, and in some cases insurance to guide organization operations.

Congratulations! Once your student has pursued membership with an organization, they will begin learning the history and significance of the organization under the status of "New Member." The new member process is governed by each organization's Inter/National policies and will typically last between 4-12 weeks.

While this might be a busy time in your student's life, learning to balance their new commitment, it should not at any point cause distress or compromise your student's academic pursuits. If you feel your student is not achieving a balance due to a new member process, it is critical you voice these concerns with our staff (link to contact us page) or complete an Incident Report

At the completion of the new member process, your student will participate in initiation, a ritual also set forth by the Inter/National organization. Once your student has become initiated, they will become a full, active member of the organization.

Once your student has joined an organization, the day-to-day operations of the organization will be directed by student leaders. These leaders receive guidance from the university, advisors, and their Inter/National organization.

If your student is unable to provide you with the answers you need, you may be able to reach out to the student leaders or advisors of the organization for assistance. The most common leaders and advisors that interact with parents and family are:

- President - safety, wellness, general chapter operations

- Chapter Advisor - matters requiring discretion or adult attention

- New Member Educator - programs, requirements, or matters occurring during the student's first semester

- Treasurer - payments, dues, fines

Feel like you are not getting the full story or the correct information? Speak up! We encourage parents and family members to trust their gut when it comes to changes in behavior or attitude as it relates to the student's fraternity or sorority experience. Concerns that may start very small may play into a larger organization culture that needs to be addressed. Our ability to correct and address behavior or care for students in distress relies on communication between parents/family and our staff.