<p>I often wonder if those who claim Greeks “pay for their friends” actually know what the dues pay for. Here are a few things off the top of my head. With a physical house there are a lot of expenses like maintenance, possibly a mortgage, staff salaries, utilities, and insurance. Some chapters have kitchens so meal plans are included. All orgs have administrative costs to run a chapter. With social events there are costs such as possible venue rental, security, occasionally transportation like buses. Each chapter pays dues to the local campus Panhellenic/IFC as well as their Inter/National org.</p>
<p>Just some things to keep in mind. All greek orgs are not for profit.</p>
<p>^ exactly,</p>
<p>Only a small portion of the money goes to the national organization (which one could equate to the cost of being in an occupational frat since you can certainly use the fraternity for networking). Most of the money went to things described above and for social outings. What’s the difference between you and your friends going to play mini golf and each paying for your tickets there vs me and my friends giving a bunch of money to the treasurer at the beginning of the semester and then he pays for all of us? None. Even the money that went to the school panhell/IFC was essentially kicked back to us via events that they put on.</p>
<p>Another reason I never understood the “pay for friends” argument is that you have to first make it through rush before you’re even invited to join, and most good fraternities have financial assistance if people who can’t otherwise afford to want to join, or the chapter itself sets up some sort of interest free payment plan if the dues can’t be afforded up front. Particularly at schools with houses, being in a fraternity is often cheaper than being in a dorm/on university meal plan!</p>