OU students in fraternities and sororities will now pay a semesterly $30 fee to support university-provided greek life infrastructure.
The new fee was approved by the OU Board of Regents in June to hire additional greek life staff and provide support for students. Types of support include risk management and leadership development, implementing hazing prevention, alcohol education and training for student leaders.
Kesha Keith, chief strategy officer of Student Affairs, wrote in an email to OU Daily Thursday the fee will go into effect in November and will be charged to members’ ONE accounts each semester.
Keith wrote OU has one of the largest greek communities among colleges nationwide, but staffing and support resources cannot keep up with the demand.
“The Greek Fee supports the long-term strength and safety of OU’s fraternity and sorority community,” Keith wrote.
According to Keith, the $30 per-semester fee is $17 less than the Southeastern Conference average fee of $47 and $15 less than the national average of $45.
“It was designed to be affordable while still yielding enough funding, approximately $330,000 annually, to support staff, safety education, and chapter training,” Keith wrote.
Keith wrote financial aid for the fee will be offered through automatic waivers for students who receive Pell Grants or Oklahoma’s Promise. Students can also complete a petition for fee exemptions each year, which will be available for students experiencing financial hardship.
OU does not currently plan to impose similar fees on other student groups or organizations, Keith wrote.
“This fee addresses a unique structural gap that exists specifically within the fraternity and sorority experience at OU,” Keith wrote. “Other student organizations generally do not operate with the same risk management, national compliance, or advising intensity as Greek chapters.”
This story was edited by Natalie Armour, Thomas Pablo and Anusha Fathepure. Mary Ann Livingood and Sophie Hemker copy edited this story.
