*Note that your students' educational process through their organization should not interfere with their academic pursuits.

COLLEGIATE PANHELLENIC COUNCIL AND INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL

Step One: Joining

Formal Recruitment occurs around the start of the Fall Semester and is five-day process for Panhellenic Council and a week long for the Interfraternity Council, ending with bid day. 

During the Spring Semester, chapters participate in informal recruitment which tends to be more casual and unstructured than primary recruitment. Not all chapters participate in informal recruitment, so it is important to keep a look out for events. Each chapter operates on its own schedule, so there is no standardized time frame when all sororities or fraternities are recruiting new members during informal recruitment.

Step Two: New Member Process

The new member process is different for each organization but lasts around six to eight weeks. In these weeks: 

  • The new member period is a time of learning – learning about how the organization is run, learning about the history of the organization, learning how to work within the larger membership, learning about yourself.
  • The new member program is designed by the national fraternity/sorority and typically new members learn this information at a weekly meeting. Additional activities may include retreats, hands-on service activities, philanthropy fundraisers, educational seminars and social events.

Step Three: Initiation

After their new member education program is completed, members will be initiated into their organization and transition from a new member to an active member. During initiation this is where your student will learn the secret aspects of their organization.

NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL

Step One: To Know Before Joining

The way our NPHC groups gain new members is very different than our Panhellenic and IFC groups. Each of our NPHC chapters holds its membership process on their own timeline and not all chapters take new members in any given academic year. Each national organization has slightly different requirements for potential new members, and most do not take first semester students who have no earned credit hours (Most organizations require a minimum of 12 to 15 credit hours to be eligible to join). Your son or daughter will be given the chance to express his or her interest at interest meetings and other NPHC events. Throughout the NPHC intake process, discretion is important. Discretion should be exercised not only when pursuing membership in an organization but during the intake process as well. Feel free to contact our staff about any questions about the process. 

Step Two: NPHC Convocation and Education

At the beginning of the Fall semester NPHC will hold a convocation and a Meet the Greeks event for prospective members to get to know about each organization and meet some of the members. Following that each individual chapter will often hold an interest meeting where your student can learn about the application process as it is unique to each organization. The length of each educational programs varies from chapter to chapter but the application process and initiation occur within the same semester

Step Three: New Member Presentation

At the end of their education process each organization will host a New Member Presentation, also commonly known as a Probate. These shows are often public presentations where students will be recognized and unveiled to the FSL community

MULTICULTURAL PANHELLENIC COUNCIL

Step One: MPC Kick Off

A social celebration and introduction of all multicultural chapters participating in recruitment and intake that semester. Includes a brief presentation and opportunities for potential new members to talk with multiple different chapters through tabling and games

Step Two: Chapter Intake

Each chapter begins their intake process by hosting a separate event or series of events where interested students can meet active chapter members, ask questions about the national organization, and learn more about how to join. Examples of these events have included community service, game nights, lunch/dinner, roller skating, study sessions, dance/exercise classes, crafting and creative arts, trivia, and more.

Following an informational event, interested students may be asked to submit an application and/or resume, as well as participate in interviews to help the chapter get to know them better. The chapter may also choose not to continue with intake for that semester.

The rest of the intake process, if the chapter chooses to continue, is focused on providing safe and healthy new member education, which includes learning about one another, the chapter and Council history, and the responsibilities of membership. This may include weekly meetings, online modules, leadership workshops, professional development, and more.

Step Three: Initiation and Presentation

After completing all educational and membership requirements, chapters will welcome new members ("neos") by celebrating their crossing into the organization. This may take the form of a new member presentation, initiation, probate, or other event based on the organization's values.