Information for Families and Parents:
Parent Involvement:
There are many ways that you as a parent or family member can get involved in your student’s fraternity or sorority experience. We encourage you to research each chapter to learn more about membership requirements. Here, you will also find information about each chapter in Halifax, with links to their National Office as well.
Students affiliated with fraternities and sororities have the opportunity to participate in a wide variety of events and build essential leadership and life skills during their Canadian university experience. Sororities and fraternities become the home away from home for all of their members. You should feel the same comfort when you come to visit.
Open Statement
Addresses Concern with Unrecognized/ "underground"
Greek Organizations
Halifax Greek Council recognizes and values the benefit of undergraduate fraternal organizations. Greek-letter organizations with recognition at Dalhousie University as part of Greek Council are founded on the principles of scholarship, leadership, service and cultivating positive and meaningful bonds of brother/sisterhood. Our partnership with national and international headquarters helps to convey the importance of, and hold members accountable to, the founding principles of these organizations.
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If your daughter, son, or student has attempted to join or has claimed to affiliate with any Greek Letter
organization or fraternal organization that is not listed above, please note that said organization is not recognized by Greek Council – nor represents their interests to the student body in Halifax. Furthermore, these groups may not be connected or affiliated with any national or international fraternity which is part of Greek Council. Greek Council does not condone students who choose to join these groups as they are not official members of the Halifax Greek Community, and that parents discourage their students from joining them as well. Membership in any unrecognized Fraternity or Sorority does not pertain to any part thereof for Halifax Greek Council/Greek Life.
There are additional risks associated with joining an unrecognized or underground group. An unrecognized or underground group will not have the ability to provide liability insurance coverage to its officers or members. As a result, any incident that occurs that causes damage to university campus property, private property, or cause injury to one’s self or others will be the responsibility of a parent or guardian’s home owner’s insurance to cover damages resulting from the action(s) of any individual(s) that is found to be identified as being a member of an unrecognized organization – nor does Halifax Greek Council speak on their behalf. Additionally, any student identified as being a member of an unrecognized group may be in violation of trademark rights of a National or International fraternal organization and may be subject to criminal charges.
Parent Checklist:
To determine if the group your student is joining is registered and a recognized Fraternity or Sorority, use the following checklist:
The group is affiliated with a national or international organization with a headquarters you can call and a website you can visit.
The Halifax chapter appears in the listing of active chapters on the national or international organization’s website.
The Chapter has a formal risk-management policy in place.
There is a local alumni advisor(s) you can call or email, and that person(s) is known to Halifax Greek Council.
Fall/Winter membership recruitment events are open to all students, widely advertised, happen on campus and off, and are informed to Halifax Greek Council.
The new member program is at a maximum of 9 weeks in duration and dates are set depending on the organization.
The group has a current liability insurance policy issued through the national or international organization and can provide you with a copy of the certificate of liability insurance.
The group has recognized chapters at other schools.
Dues payment checks are made out to the organization and deposited to an organizational account, not to an individual.
Philanthropy and/or community service projects do not include alcohol or occur at venues that serve alcohol.
If you have any questions regarding the legitimacy of any organization that your child/young adult may be joining please be sure to contact our Directory at (647) 531-5622.
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