Parents

Welcome to Fraternity & Sorority Life at the University of Mississippi! If you are reading this information, your son or daughter may be considering joining one of 34 inter/national fraternities and sororities at the university. Fraternity and sorority life consists of three councils: Interfraternity Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council and Panhellenic Council.

Please feel free to contact Fraternity & Sorority Life at UMSGreeks@olemiss.edu or (662) 915-7247. Or, if you are planning a visit to campus, please drop by our office, Room 422 in the Student Union.

Greek Letter Organizations

Greek letter organizations at American colleges and universities are commonly referred to as fraternities for men and sororities for women. Since the founding on the first college fraternity in 1776 and the first sorority in 1851, these organizations have thrived and multiplied into hundreds of national organizations while making a positive and tremendous impact on the service and social structure of higher education systems throughout the United States and Canada.

Greek groups were first established at the University of Mississippi in the mid-1850s for the advancement of academic interests, the promotion of brotherhood and sisterhood, and a commitment to community service. Today, memberships in Ole Miss Greek letter societies still means vowing to uphold these long-standing traditions.

Hazing Policy

The University of Mississippi prohibits hazing in any form. According to the educational website, StopHazing.org, hazing “refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in the group) that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate.” According to the national Fraternity Executives Association and Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group, hazing is defined as:

“… any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shock; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips, or any other such activities carried on outside the confines of the house; publicly wearing apparel that is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities that are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual, or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution.”

Violations of the university’s hazing policy may result in disciplinary action against any involved students and organizations. In addition to the university judicial system, students and organizations who participate in or condone hazing may subject themselves to criminal prosecution and/or civil liability.

Student Pledge???

I understand that participation in, or knowledge of, hazing and taking no action to stop it is in effect giving approval to haze. I understand my responsibility not to allow any members of an organization (active members, inactive members, alumni/ae or affiliates from other institutions) to haze any member, active or associate. Failure to report such activity of which I become aware may cause personal referral to the Office of Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct.