General FAQs

You may receive information about Fall Recruitment Events in the mail and/or by email. Please browse the different fraternity and sorority chapters profiles to get a feel for which organization you would like to join. At the START sessions, there will be an interest session on Greek Life for students and parents where you can learn more about each council's joining process and ask questions to current students.

The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter but the first semester is the most time-intensive as the new member goes through the chapter's education program. The time spent in this program will give you the opportunity to develop your leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of the organization, and develop friendships. After the initiation into the chapter, expectations will vary and depend on the member's initiative. Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other mandatory events (philanthropies, service, and initiation) throughout the year, but they are planned well in advance. Members can also take on leadership roles within the chapter that will increase the amount of time required each week. Many students will tell you that the more you put into your organization, the more you will get out of the experience!

Coming to college is one of the major life changes that a student will go through. Joining a fraternity or sorority can help make the transition easier. Developing life-long friendships with the members in their chapter helps make the campus smaller. For many members, these chapters become a home away from home. Fraternities and sororities are organizations founded on specific values that the organization's founders felt were vital to the development of better men and women. In addition to the brother/sisterhood, every chapter promotes the values of enhancing leadership, scholarship, philanthropy/service, and financial responsibility in their members.

Finally, joining a fraternity or a sorority goes well beyond your colligate career. Each organization has alumni groups and networks that can help you stay connected and advance your career. 

Just like any other organization on campus, joining a fraternity or sorority is about finding a place where you belong and that shares your values. Not everyone is going to find a connection to a fraternity and sorority as they may find that connection elsewhere. We do encourage everyone to give it try, but acknowledge that fraternity and sorority life isn’t for everyone.

The fraternity and sorority experience is an investment in your future. The leadership skills, the academic assistance, and friendships will benefit you beyond your college days. The perception that fraternities and sororities are only an option for the "rich" students is false. Fraternities and sororities can be quite affordable and fees go to services that will positively impact your membership experience.

The cost to join will vary from chapter to chapter. There are three kinds of costs: one time costs (pledge & initiation fees), recurring costs (membership dues, room & board rates) and special costs (tee shirts, social functions, etc). Ask the various chapters specific questions about each area. To assist members, chapters may offer scholarships and grants. We encourage all interested students to ask for financial information prior to joining.

No. Greek organizations within the Multicultural Greek Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council are open to all students from different  racial and ethnic backgrounds. All are welcome to explore what our culturally based fraternities and sororities have to offer. 

The answer to this question is completely subjective, and each individual student should consider what they are looking for in a fraternity or sorority before joining. This could include looking at the academic performance of the chapter, housed or un-housed status, alcohol policies, and philanthropic contributions, along with any other qualities deemed important.

Academics are a priority in the fraternity and sorority community. When students join, they become part of a larger group of students who value their academic goals at OSU. Older members understand what the new member is facing and can provide support in many areas. Each chapter on campus has a scholarship officer who initiates programs within the chapter to encourage high academic achievement. There are various resources for members on campus such as time management workshops, academic advisors, the career center, etc.

You can view each chapter's GPA here in our Community Grade Report.

Oregon State University, IFC, MGC, NPHC, CGC, and Panhellenic all agree that hazing is unacceptable in the fraternity and sorority community. If hazing is reported to the university or councils, it will be directed to the OSU Student Conduct & Community Standards office and the pertinent council's judicial process. All chapters complete hazing prevention education each academic year as part of the Relationship Statement criteria to remain a chapter in good standing with the university.

To report an hazing incident, complete this Student Conduct and Community Standard's Reporting Form.

The number one priority is to achieve academically. Secondly, new members are expected to learn the local chapter history and national history, as well as to get to know the current membership. Chapters usually hold new member meetings weekly to review this content and help new members get to know one another. The length of the new membership period varies from chapter to chapter.

Fraternities and sororities have it as part of their mission to support their national philanthropies (not-for-profit causes) financially and physically. Throughout the year, each chapter spends time fundraising and volunteering to help their particular philanthropy. The time spent together on these events is one of the many times that fraternity brothers and sorority sisters can bond, while making a difference in someone's life. To learn more about each chapter's local and/or national philanthropy, check out their Chapter Profile.

There is a social aspect to the fraternity and sorority community and these "social" events include education programs/workshops, community service events, intramural sports, Family Weekends, Homecoming, dinner exchanges, and socials. Oregon State's fraternity and sorority community had adopted a Shared Social Hosting Policy to create a safer, more beneficial social environment for members. In addition, each organization has national rules they follow regarding the hosting of social events. All organizations sponsor education on alcohol misuse and abuse.

House fraternities vary in the permitting of alcohol in their facilities. Housed sororities do not permit alcohol in their facilities.

Parents and family members can learn more about the Greek Community at OSU by reviewing the CFSL's website and the websites of chapters their student is interested in. They can ask questions about what each organization will offer your student and allow them to make the best decision for themselves. Check out any information your student gets in the mail over the summer related to fraternity and sorority life as a way to start the conversation.

Once your student joins a fraternity or sorority, there will be opportunities for your involvement as a parent such as Family Weekend activities, or joining the chapter's Mom's Club, etc.

Recruitment FAQs

This describes the structured recruitment activities of Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic. Please check out the Recruitment Section of each council's website for details and dates of Fall Formal Recruitment.

Interfraternity Council 

Typically during the first week of Fall and Spring Term, IFC hosts events where student can learn more about each fraternity. The following week individual fraternities hold events for students to get to know them better. IFC's process concludes with Jump Day where the new members of each fraternity jump into the arms of their new brothers.

Panhellenic

Panhellenic holds their formal recruitment process usually over the first or second weekend of Fall Term. Participants have the opportunity to meet all 11 Panhellenic organizations over the course of the process. This recruitment process concludes with Bid Day where new members open their invitations of membership or bid and then join a group of their new sisters on the Memorial Union quad to celebrate.

Other Council Recruitment Processes

If you are interested in joining a National Pan-hellenic Council (Divine Nine), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), or Collective Greek Council (CGC) organization, please browse the Chapter Profiles above and use the contact information provided from these organizations. These councils do not have a joint, formal recruitment process like IFC or Panhellenic as each organization conducts their own recruitment process. However, they usually hold a community recruitment event at the start of Fall Term to kickstart interest so check out their webistes for more information.

Yes! Each council conducts a different informal recruitment process.

Interfraternity Council 

IFC chapters typically recruit year-round. If you are interested in joining through an informal recruitment process, reach out to the individual chapters for more information.

Panhellenic

Panhellenic chapters that are not at capacity after Fall Formal Recruitment can participate in informal recruitment, also known as Continuous Open Bidding (COB). For more information on which chapters are open for COB, contact the Panhellenic VP of Recruitment at [email protected].

Other Council Recruitment Processes

If you are interested in joining a National Pan-hellenic Council (Divine Nine)Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), or Collective Greek Council (CGC) organization, please browse the Chapter Profiles above and use the contact information provided from these organizations. Each organization conducts their own recruitment process and decides each term if they will take new members

The best way to find out if an organization is a good fit is to attend as many recruitment events as possible. This will help you learn more about the organization's members, chapter culture, and member expectations so you can make the most informed decision. However, it is up to you to attend or choose to attend recruitment events. You should never skip class to attend an event. Your education comes first. If you are unable to attend a recruitment event due to a conflict, it is a good idea to let the recruitment chair know about your conflict and express your interest in the organization. Please note that some organizations may require you to meet certain criteria (ie attend an informational or service event) to qualify for membership.

If there is a religious holiday you observe that overlaps with any recruitment event, email the governing council's recruitment officer and inform them of the conflict. The governing councils are aware of any religious holidays that overlap recruitment periods and will help the chapters accommodate the conflict. 

 

No, just as you’re looking for a perfect fit, these organizations are also looking for new members that are a good fit for their chapters. Each chapter has their own membership criteria, but most chapters look for for individuals with good grades, previous or other campus involvement, community service, leadership experience, etc. The best way to maximize your chance to get a invitation of membership or bid is to make a connection with a current member. 

 

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