Parent and/or Guardian FAQs

Currently, NPHC groups require potential members to complete 12 to 45 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average between 2.5 to 2.75  before they may join. See NPHC membership requirements.

If you have questions, contact the Office of Student Life at 501-450-3137, or visit us in Student Center Suite 207.

How will being a member of a Greek organization contribute to and/or hinder my son’s or daughter’s educational experience?

Making the decision to join a Greek organization is indeed an important one as it is a commitment for one’s entire college career. UCA strongly encourages parents to be involved in the decision making process.

Greek Life at UCA provides students with a variety of opportunities to be involved in their campus community. With approximately ten (10) percent of the campus population being Greek, these enthusiastic students plan philanthropy events, serve as student leaders in campus organizations, host social events, etc.

With this said, being a member of a fraternity or sorority does place demands on a student’s time. Our Greek organizations place a high emphasis on successful academics and in fact, the all Greek GPA is higher than the all-student GPA. “Pledging” or “associating” semesters are often the most demanding, but there is always room for flexibility. The key concept for parents to remember during this time: communication! UCA students, being very bright and respectful, are expected to communicate their difficulties to the professors, and it is really no different within a fraternity or sorority. If your son or daughter experiences being overextended or overwhelmed, encourage him to talk to the Fraternity or Sorority Educator or Chapter President. Once those difficulties have been communicated, the chapter will make every effort to assist their newest member(s).

Housing for the sororities is a mix of houses and chapter suites.  The Panhellenic sororities have university owned Greek Village houses on Augusta and Donaghey Avenues. These houses include 32 beds, a chapter meeting room, a full kitchen and living room area, as well as study room.  The NPHC sororities have large chapter meeting rooms in the NPHC Sorority Complex along College Avenue.

Three IFC fraternities have university owned Greek Village houses on Donaghey Avenue. These houses include 20 beds, a chapter meeting room, a full kitchen and living room, as well as a study room. One fraternity maintains a privately owned house adjacent to Greek Village and three fraternities lease smaller university owned properties around campus. Two other IFC fraternities do not currently have chapter houses and instead utilize meeting rooms on campus. The NPHC fraternities have large chapter meeting rooms in the NPHC Fraternity Complex along College Ave.

UCA takes its commitment to individual Greek students as well as to Greek chapters very seriously. Your son or daughter may use the resources found within Student Affairs whenever needed. If at any time you would like more information about Greek Life or have questions about your son or daughter’s experience within the Greek community, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Life at 501-450-3137.

What is “hazing” and what can I do as a parent to educate myself about this issue?

UCA, the State of Arkansas, and our national fraternities and sororities have strict guidelines and policies to prevent hazing. UCA educates leaders and new members about how to prevent hazing. As a parent, keep an open line of communication with your child while they are at UCA. If at any time you have concerns about your child, please contact us. Please visit UCA’s Statement on Hazing for information.