Rush Phi Kappa Psi
Information for
Parents
A Great Decision
Though you may have been exposed to negative
stereotypes of fraternities, joining a Greek
organization is one of the best decisions your
son can make during his college years. Over 150
years ago, our founders laid the basic
principles and values of an organization that
complimented our college education by giving
back to our communities; the best way to put an
education to use.
As a Phi Psi, your son will learn how to lead
and compromise within a group while serving on
committees and in chapter meetings and to hone
those skills, he will have access to Phi Kappa
Psi’s leadership schools held annually across
the country. He will discover “The Great Joy of
Serving Others” through Phi Psis numerous
service initiatives and dedication to our
communities. He'll be given the tools and
confidence to strive for high grades through our
chapter scholarship programs and rewarded
through our
Foundation's numerous grants and scholarships.
The chapter atmosphere will promote diversity in
your son's life and encourage him to join other
groups on campus to better himself. Perhaps most
importantly, he'll have a network of over 70,000
brothers across the world to help and mentor him
through every stage of his life.
The phrase "helicopter parent" is overdramatic,
but parents are clearly more involved in the
decisions their sons make today than in the
past. Our goal is to help you understand Phi
Kappa Psi and all of its benefits, while letting
you know about our risk management policies and
the expectations we hold for every member of the
Fraternity. If you have questions about your son
joining Phi Kappa Psi, contact the National
Headquarters at 1-800-486-1852, or email chapter
president Brian Montgomery at
bmontgom@ashland.edu.
Parent’s FAQ
Will my son’s experience be like that of
movies like “Animal House” and “Beta House”?
Unfortunately movies like these have given
fraternity members a bad rap as irresponsible,
reckless and foolish. In reality, men of
fraternities like Phi Kappa Psi are part of
values based organizations who commit themselves
to their growth as individuals through academic
achievement, leadership experiences, diversified
networks and community involvement. Phi Psis
believe there is no better compliment to a
college education than philanthropic
participation in our communities.
I don’t want my son’s grades to hurt; will
the time he invests in the fraternity hinder his
achievement?
Phi Kappa Psi places great value on the academic
success of our members, in fact it is one of our
top priorities, after all academics is the
reason our members are in college in the first
place. Time management can be an issue for many
students, especially when making the transition
into college. Phi Kappa Psi chapters include a
Scholarship Committee which oversees, encourages
and monitors the academic attainment of its
members. Nothing compares to the value of having
an experienced upperclassmen, with a working
knowledge of managing his time and the resources
offered by the school like the library, computer
labs and career centers, there to support and
guide your son’s scholastic success. Many of our
chapter’s scholarship programs include study
buddy programs, quiet hours in the chapter
house, time management workshops, study hours
for all members, and incentive programs. While
our chapters offer many resources and means for
higher achievement, it is ultimately up to your
son to take advantage of them.
Furthermore, the time invested into the
fraternity is up to the individual. No member is
ever asked to place the fraternity above his own
personal priorities like work, school or
relationships. However, the time your son puts
into the fraternity will ultimately reflect what
he gets out of the experience. For example, he
may learn more about the practice of accounting
by becoming a chapter treasurer than he would in
the classroom alone. Recent studies have shown
students who get involved are more likely to
graduate and report higher enjoyment with their
college experience. By participating in the life
of his chapter, your son will learn to balance
his time, a priceless skill after college.
The Ohio
Theta Chapter of Phi Kappa Psi even offers
special incentives for scholarly performance,
including more than $3,000 in scholarships
dedicated specifically to undergraduate brothers
of Ohio Theta, as well as a dues reduction
program that gives incentives of up to $50 per
semester for achieving at least a 3.5GPA.
What about hazing and what’s this Ritual all
about?
Phi Kappa Psi opposes hazing in any form and the
National Fraternity swiftly acts on any and all
reports of it. Phi Kappa Psi supports a New
Member Education period that introduces new
members to the fraternity, teaches them basic
study and leadership skills necessary to
collegiate success, educates the members in the
dangers of alcohol and drug abuse, and provides
safe activities for new and older members to
bond with each other.
The word “ritual” is often associated with
sacrificial scenes from movies, when in fact it
is nothing more than a confirmation of our
beliefs in the presence of our brothers. The
Ritual of Phi Kappa Psi is a members only event
where the values and ideals of our fraternity
are explained and new members commit themselves
to these values and ideals for life.
Will it cost a lot of money?
Phi Kappa Psis fees and premiums are in line
with most other fraternities on the campus of
Ashland University, and across the country. When
your son becomes a new member a one time $50 fee
is assessed for a new member pin and a manual of
Phi Kappa Psi. Upon initiation into the
fraternity a $250 one time fee is assessed for a
lifetime subscription to our National Magazine,
a badge of membership, access to our members
only networking site, a certificate of
membership and a card of membership. After that,
semi-annual dues cover the cost of operating the
chapter, including insurance, chapter service
fees, social functions, and upkeep of the
chapter house.
Who’s in charge of the group?
Chapters of Phi Kappa Psi are governed by the
undergraduate members. However, alumni advisory
committees made up of dedicated local alumni
members stand by to guide chapters along the way
and keep an eye on their activities. The
National Fraternity offers advice, guidance and
programming through a paid staff that makes
yearly visits to all their chapters.
How does my son go about joining a Fraternity
and which is the best for him?
At Ashland University, freshmen are encouraged
to sign up for the formal recruitment process,
which begins in mid-September, however fall
recruitment is not the only way to express
interest in joining a fraternity. Phi Kappa Psi
are always open to meeting new members and are
happy to speak with anyone interested in Greek
Life. Remember that just like a search for
college, your son must find a fraternity that
suites his personality and needs. Every group
has different strengths and weaknesses, do not
be afraid to ask questions about chapters to
find the right one.
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