Dear Parents:
Greetings from the Office of Student Life at Randolph-Macon College. We are gearing up for another exciting year here at the College and, in particular, in Fraternity and Sorority Life. If your student is already a member of a Greek organizations, then much of what I am saying to you here will seem familiar, and if not, we welcome you to the greater Greek community of Randolph-Macon and across the United States and the World.
Fraternities and Sororities are a wonderful way for students to become involved in a lifetime commitment to leadership and values. They can provide wonderful opportunities and support for service, brotherhood/sisterhood, leadership, and academic achievement. Since the founding of the first collegiate fraternity, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1776, collegiate fraternities and sororities have been promoting student growth and development. R-MC fraternities and sororities have a long tradition of excellence.
Randolph-Macon College supports an active and healthy Fraternity and Sorority community. We currently have seven (7) NIC Fraternities, three (3) NPC Sororities, one (1) NPHC Sorority, and a Professional Co-ed Service Organization. If your student says they are a joining a fraternity or sorority not listed on our website, I would encourage you to contact the Office of Student Life. Unrecognized and/or underground fraternities and/or sororities can be dangerous and are counter productive to the the educational mission of Student Life and Randolph-Macon College.
Involvement in Fraternity and Sorority Life will give your student the opportunity to become a better leader and prepare for a professional career. Students in fraternities and sororities hold leadership positions as well as positions in their governing bodies, the Inter-fraternity Council and the College Panhellenic council. Fraternity and Sorority leaders at R-MC are involved in nearly very leadership opportunity available.
In addition, fraternities and sororities actively participate in both philanthropic and community service endeavors. In 2011-12, R-MC Fraternities and Sorority gave over 5,000 hours of community service and donated over %$9,000.00 dollars to various causes. Involvement in community service is a way to give back to the community, to develop leadership skills and to develop citizens.
Fraternities and sororities are first and foremost societies of scholars. Each chapter and inter/national organization holds its members to high standards of academic achievement. Also, fraternities and sororities at R-MC have consistently higher grade point averages than unaffiliated students.
I encourage you to take a look at the scholarship, community service, and philanthropy reports that we have posted on the Student Life website.
I also feel that as I tell you all of the wonderful things about Fraternity and Sorority Life at R-MC that I address the very issues that my own parents were concerned about when I decided to join over ten years ago. Alcohol consumption and hazing are issues that are often associated with negative opinions of fraternities and sororities. The College, as well as the inter/national organizations associated with each chapter, are firmly united in their commitment to make sure that hazing does not happen at Randolph-Macon. With regard to alcohol consumption, the College expects each fraternity and sorority to abide by all state, local laws as well as fraternity and sorority inter/national policies. All R-MC fraternities and sororities receive training and participate in educational programs to help them make smart choices.
Fraternity and sorority life offers students a very unique and unforgettable experience that will last a lifetime. The Fraternity and Sorority community has been serving as a major component of student development at R-MC since the 1870's. I firmly believe that your student will have a wonderful positive experience, and I encourage you to get involved. Ask tough questions, and encourage your student to select an organization that has similar values to their own. I have been a proud fraternity man for over a decade, and I know first hand that the fraternity and sorority experience can make such an incredible positive difference in the life of a young man or woman. Please feel free to contact me with any questions that you may have about fraternity and sorority life or student life in general.
Sincerely,
James D. McGhee, Jr.
Assistant Dean of Students
jamesmcghee@rmc.edu804-752-7318