<p>Our son has been in a fraternity the last 3 years and is considering not being a member his senior year due to time and cost constraints. What I want to know, from those of you who may know, is what if any would be the benefit(s) of remaining a member 1 more year?</p>
<p>We are thinking that since he has done this for 3 years he should complete his college education being a member for all four years. Seems like it would look better on future resumes to be able to say he was a member all four years. But maybe it really doesn’t matter. We just don’t know how to advise him.</p>
<p>It is quite expensive - $450 per semester, which he has paid on his own the last 3 years. We thought if there is any real benefit to remaining a member this year maybe we would offer to pay half.</p>
<p>He does like the benefits of the philanthropic opportunities and fraternal friendships. He does have a girlfriend though, who isn’t crazy about the fraternity. They’ve been together for 2 years though so don’t think she is the main reason he is thinking of quitting. </p>
<p>Does the fraternity have an “alumni status” option for seniors? (my college sorority did). It was an option to remain a member with reduced costs and obligations. I do recall a member had to meet some sort of criteria for this, but I knew several who did this.</p>
<p>My daughters sorority allows seniors to “fly up” to alumnae status by Dec. And seniors have few obligations even if they remain active until May/June. They do not have the same attendance requirements as underclassman.</p>
<p>If he drops as a senior, he drops permanently and will then not be an alum. He will not have the same networking abilities etc. His name will be removed from the national list, and he will not be considers a member. There are additional perks as an alum. And you might be surprised the contacts he could have if he remains active.</p>
<p>Sure, seniors know what they can and can’t due, but they are still looking at dollar signs and thinking in the short term. Does he already have a job lined up at graduation? Or is he going to grad/professional school where jobs later are automatic? Networking for life is what some Greek organizations offer.</p>
<p>If he has been a greek and a brother for three years, it is more than an “activity.” That sounds more like high school.</p>
<p>D1 has been dancing for 15 years and it is still an activity. She is an active member of her sorority. Her network will be her college friends, not just her sorority.</p>
<p>If OP’s son can’t see the value of staying in his fraternity, I don’t see why it’s the parent’s concern.</p>
<p>To me, a fraternity benefits can last a lifetime. Most of the seniors that needed a break chose to “live out” (if he isn’t already) and chose not to take a leadership position. The networking cannot be underestimated, nor can the support of the brothers as he transitions into adulthood. I think it would be wonderful for you to pay the dues, or to offer to cover something else that comes up this year. If, after you make this offer, he still wants out, then respect his decision.</p>
<p>H left his fraternity his senior year because of some racially motivated blackballing that occurred. He remained friends with many of his brothers however and has often attended the frat reunion at homecoming. These guys remain his closest friends from college. I don’t think he ever used the frat or those connections for career purposes but YMMV.</p>
<p>SunnyFlorida and MizzBee…Great replies… - thanks!
He decided to continue…as you said, SunnyFlorida, it was the short term thinking and $$, that was getting to him. He does see the benefits of finishing it out and I think will be glad he did.</p>