Yes, last year you could pay a $200-something fee and opt out of the university-require meal plan, but that is no longer the case.
If you pledge, you are automatically switched from whatever plan you signed up for to the Greek 55, and you also eat at your house. As far as other fees and dues, it depends on the fraternity, but I would expect each semester’s fees to be charged at each semester, not all at once. The Greek 55 payment goes to the university. Payment for house meals goes to the house. $3452 new student fee - that would be your cost for your first semester, and should include meals as well as all those one-time fees when you pledge. Then $2409 a semester thereafter, if you don’t live in the house.
Please note that in most cases, you cannot move into the house during your first year. You must live in university housing. So the living in cost would start your sophomore year - IF you are able to move in. Some houses may have room, some might not.
Fraternities cost so much because somebody pays for all those band parties.
When you talk to fraternity guys, be sure to ask if there are other fees, like security costs or party assessments.You’ll be buying T shirts, too, and those can mount up if you buy every T shirt offered (you don’t have to!).
And remember that those are AVERAGE costs - half the fraternities will cost MORE, half will cost less - but probably not much less, and there may be more fees to pay.