FAU CAPS Fraternity and Sorority Life

How can CAPS benefit students involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life?

Although having the support system and developing the leadership skills in a sorority or fraternity can be highly rewarding, members of Fraternity and Sorority Life may still experience a variety of stressors. Managing increased socialization, holding specific leadership positions, and balancing between Fraternity and Sorority Life and academic duties are only a few of these stressors. Some of these stressors might be hard to identify until they start to severely impact the students’ functioning. They can cause disruptions in students’ mood, academic performance, interpersonal relationships, and general outlook towards the future. CAPS is available to assist students involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life through a variety of counseling, outreach, and consultative services, including:

• Individual, group, or couples counseling.
• Support or drop-in groups.
• Workshops or presentations tailored to meet the specific needs of the particular fraternity/sorority.
• Consultations about assisting brothers or sisters in distress.
• Support with Fraternity and Sorority Life events or social change initiatives.
• Referral to the community for continuation of care as needed.

What are some of the leading concerns motivating Fraternity and Sorority Life students to seek help from CAPS?

• Stress management
• Depressive or anxious symptoms
• Social, family, or romantic relationship
• LGBTQ
• Academic performance
• Eating disorders/body image concerns
• Alcohol and/or other drugs
• Finances
• Peer pressure
• Hazing
• Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse history
• Suicidal/homicidal ideation.

What is hazing and what can I do?

Fraternity and Sorority Life hazing is a coercive, abusive, and often humiliating form of initiation into the fraternity/sorority that recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student or group of students. Examples of hazing include name calling, yelling, threats of violence, sleep deprivation, sexual simulations, water intoxication, forced substance abuse, and confinement, among others. Although signs of hazing might be hard to identify, the effects of hazing on students’ mental and physical health might be noticed in a student’s attitude, behavior, and mood. Examples include tiredness, alienation from peers, social isolation, anxiety around brothers or sisters, etc.

Date Rape/Sexual Assault/Relationship Abuse

Date rape or sexual assault is traumatic and impacts people in many different ways. The helpful support from sisters and brothers can go a long way in the healing process. CAPS can be an important additional support if a student wants a confidential place to process what has happened and get assistance in coping with the psychological impact of the event. We can support students through the process of reporting the event to the Dean of Students’ Office or working with the FAU Victim Advocate. We can also support students who are friends of the victims.

Consultation with Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisors

CAPS is committed to promoting an atmosphere at FAU which is conducive to the well-being, personal growth, and psychological health of each of its students. To this end, our staff of counselors and psychologists is available as consultants to assist Fraternity and Sorority Life administrators with work-related or student service issues. Topics of these consultations might include but are not limited to: classroom disruptions, accidents/incidents, students in distress, and threats of violence.

Resources & Tips for Greek Memebers