As a mother I feel that there are many positive benefits to joining Greek organizations, it provided my son with study groups, leadership opportunities, service opportunities, social outlets, and a career network. After joining Alpha Phi Alpha, my son gained a whole new outlook on the U of A and college life in general. His freshmen year he was home every weekend, but after being charged to seek and uphold the tenets of scholarship, leadership, service, and brotherhood, those trips became less frequent, his grades increased, and he began to enjoy his experiences at the U of A.  I would encourage any parent to allow their child become a part of the U of A’s Greek life community. These value-based organizations challenge their members every day, instilling positive principles into their lives through activities and interactions with their peers, alumni, and community.   
 
Clara L. Redden
Graduating Senior - Corey Redden, Alpha Phi Alpha Chapter President 2007-08

When our son graduated from high school he was not considering Greek life at the university.  While active in many areas of high school and even when opportunities were present, he would not pursue an active leadership role.  With his involvement in Greek life as president of Lambda Chi Alpha, national representative for Lambda Chi, and finally as president of the Interfraternity Council, he was given the opportunity at gradually more demanding leadership positions that helped develop those leadership talents that will be crucial to his later career in medicine (where the need for leaders becomes more and more evident with time).  Perhaps he could have obtained these same qualities without Greek life, but the path would not have been as easily accomplished and the variety of leadership roles not as great.  There is little doubt that Greek life made a tremendous impact on our son's life and college experience.

I would be the first to admit some initial concern over our son's decision to become involved in Greek life at the university based on my own memories and friends who were involved in the Greek system in the past.  Of special concern was whether he could maintain his academic standing as a high enough level to gain admission to medical school or would he be too distracted by the social commitments required of the members?  This concern proved wrong as he was not only able to continue to excel in academics but also gain a level of maturity from service to the community, the university, and his chapter that would be almost impossible to gain from life as an independent.  While almost certainly some of this is to his individual credit for being disciplined enough to "take care of business" there were always very supportive upper classmen in the fraternity who demonstrated that one could be active in the Greek system and still achieve high scholastic standards.  I became even more impressed by his "brothers" after meeting them at various events and hosting their officer's retreat at our home.  Greek life is not for everyone but neither is living as an independent.  This is a choice like others in life and will be the best choice for some but should be an option considered by everyone.

Mr. and Mrs. Steve Greer
Graduating Senior - Wes Greer, IFC President 2007