Parents & Families : Fraternity and Sorority Affairs : ��ǿ��

Overview

According to an incoming student survey, fewer than five percent of our students plan on joining a fraternity or sorority. However, approximately 14 percent of ��ǿ�� students end up joining a fraternity or sorority.

Once student come to campus, they’re able to meet current fraternity and sorority members and learn how these organizations offers opportunities for:

Friendship
Professional and personal development
Leadership on campus and in the community

Our fraternal community is highly regarded by students, faculty, alumni, and administrators. It has even won national recognition from higher education associations.

Parents and families play a key role in supporting the development of fraternity and sorority members. To help you stay informed, we’ve created a fraternity and sorority information (pdf). You can also find useful resource about our community on the .

Meliora Collective

The provides space for families, alumni, and students to connect with one another. Join the “fraternities and sororities” group to stay connected with other parents and families interested in sorority and fraternity life.

Recruitment

The University and its fraternities and sororities have developed a structured recruitment process. This helps students learn about fraternity and sorority life and join the right organization at a time that is right for the student.

Students are eligible to join a fraternity or sorority during their second semester at ��ǿ��. Transfer students may join if they have received credit for at least one full semester at another institution (AP credit does not count).

Students need time to establish themselves on campus by developing interests in classes, joining clubs and organizations, getting involved in the community, and holding leadership roles before joining a fraternity or sorority. It is also important for them to observe the fraternity and sorority community and the value it brings to the campus.

Students have an entire semester to meet fraternity and sorority members in classes; attend social, educational, cultural, and philanthropic events; and develop a true sense of the value and responsibility of fraternity or sorority membership. By the time they are eligible to join an organization, students should know a good deal about the organization they wish to join and, more importantly, about the men and women they hope to call brothers and sisters.

Every fraternity and sorority is part of one of three governing councils. These councils set recruitment guidelines for their member organizations. We encourage your student to learn about as many organizations as possible in searching for the best fit.

Panhellenic Association (PHA) Recruitment

Member Organizations: Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Delta, Sigma Delta Tau

The Panhellenic Association has the most structured recruitment practices of the three councils at ��ǿ��. Women interested in joining one of these organizations will go through formal recruitment, during which they visit and learn about all six organizations. Each prospective member is paired with a recruitment counselor, a woman in the Panhellenic community who remains unbiased and helps guide a potential new member through the recruitment process.

After visiting every organization, prospective members can be invited back to learn more about certain sororities. Through the process, potential new members narrow down the chapters they feel the most comfortable in. Eventually, the women will indicate their preferences of which sororities they are interested in joining, and the sororities similarly choose the women to whom they are most interested in extending invitations for membership.

The women and sororities are matched based on mutual interest in one another. Although this mutually selective process is the most formal recruitment system of all the councils, it gives women the best opportunity to learn about each organization and find the one that is the best fit.

Students do not need to return to campus early to participate in Panhellenic Association recruitment. Instead, they can sign up when they return to campus in January.

Interfraternity Council (IFC) Recruitment

Member Organizations: Alpha Delta Phi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, Chi Phi, Delta Kappa Epsilon, Delta Upsilon, Psi Upsilon, Sigma Chi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Theta Chi

Chapters in the IFC host structured informal and formal recruitment events over a two-week period during which students can speak one-on-one with members of an organization, participate in social and service activities, and learn about the values and history of the individual fraternities.

Students can choose to attend events at whichever fraternities they are interested in, and the fraternities will extend bids for membership to individuals whom they would like to have as brothers. While students are encouraged to meet and interact with fraternity brothers before the period of formal recruitment, this time gives students an additional opportunity to make connections with several fraternities and receive more information about the chapter and its values.

Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) Recruitment

Member Organizations: Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Psi, Lambda Sigma Upsilon, Mu Sigma Upsilon, Sigma Psi Zeta

Recruitment for the MGC does not always occur during a scheduled period. Rather, organizations hold information sessions for prospective members to learn more about the chapter. They also ask individuals to participate in the social, cultural, and educational programming as well as community service activities of the fraternities and sororities. Through these encounters, students can decide whether they share interests and values with the members of the organization.

At a time when both the student and members are ready, the student can be offered an invitation for membership.

Helping with the Decision Process

Parents and families play an instrumental role both in helping a student decide whether to join a fraternity or sorority and in supporting a student throughout recruitment and membership. Here are some ways you can help your student make more informed, values-based decisions about joining the fraternity and sorority community.

Learn the Terminology

Fraternity or sorority life comes with its own unique culture and terminology. Here are some words you are likely to hear during recruitment:

Big: Short for “big sister” or “big brother,” this term refers to an active member of a fraternity or sorority who serves as a mentor for newer members.
Chapter: A local group of the larger national organization. This refers to the group of men or women at the ��ǿ�� who are a part of that particular fraternity or sorority.
Informational: A session where an individual can learn more about an organization and see if their values and goals are aligned with those of the organization.
Invitation to Membership/Bid: A formal offer to join a fraternity or sorority.
New Member Program: The period of learning about fraternity and sorority life prior to initiation. In addition to learning the history of the organization, new members may attend presentations on topics such as study skills, substance abuse awareness, hazing prevention, and other important issues.
Potential New Member: A common term for students going through recruitment and pursuing membership in fraternities or sororities. This is frequently abbreviated as PNM.
Preference Night: The final evening of Panhellenic Association recruitment where the women attend their last recruitment events and express which sororities they are most interested in joining.
Recruitment Counselor: A woman in the Panhellenic Association who temporarily disaffiliates from her sorority in order to provide unbiased guidance to students interested in Panhellenic Association recruitment.
Recruitment (Rush): A specified period prior to offering a bid during which the organizations hold structured events to educate unaffiliated students about the organization and its members and values.

Do your own Research

Read about the resources provided for our organizations, including the FAQ for membership, and descriptions of each organization. You can also review the status of our organizations to see which have received awards/recognition and have been accredited through our standards process.

If your student is interested in a particular organization, to learn its history, activities, and goals.

Ask about their Interest in a Fraternity or Sorority

Our goal is for students to join a fraternity or sorority that will enrich their experience at the ��ǿ�� and provide them with long-term membership benefits. We recognize that you have helped them develop their interests, goals, and values, so you can provide critical advice in selecting an organization consistent with their identities.

Here are some questions you can ask to help your student explore this decision:

What are you hoping to gain from membership in this organization?
How does the fraternity or sorority support your own values and beliefs?
How will the organization help you pursue your own educational goals?
What time commitment will membership require, and will it fit into your schedule?
In what ways does the organization support campus involvement and community service?
What leadership opportunities will the organization provide, both locally and nationally?
Is the organization in good standing with the University? With other fraternities and sororities?
How will becoming a member make your ��ǿ�� experience more enjoyable?

Stay Involved

If your student does join the fraternity and sorority community, it’s important to stay involved. Ask regularly how the fraternity or sorority is doing, read the organization’s magazines and newsletters, and attend family events during Meliora Weekend.

The more you know about the organization, the better you can continue helping your student.

More Information about Recruitment

Fraternity and sorority recruitment is an exciting time for many of our students. We hope you can continue helping students make informed personal decisions that enrich their time at ��ǿ��.

Please contact our office for additional information about our chapters, the recruitment process, or the fraternity and sorority community in general. We look forward to hearing from you!

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