Frequently Asked Questions
How do I become a member of a fraternity or sorority?
You must go through a recruitment process also known as "rush" or "intake." Recruitment is the process of the Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council. Intake is the process by which you would join a Multicultural Greek Council fraternity or sorority.
What is recruitment? I thought it was rush...
It used to be. However, the name officially changed for the National Panhellenic Conference sororities in the fall of 2000. Some IFC fraternities still refer to recruitment as rush. Recruitment is typically a week-long period in which chapters host events designed to introduce the chapter to interested students, and allow the chapter to get to know those same students. These events take place in the Marvin Center, local restaurants, and chapter houses (fraternities only). The intent with these events is that you, as the interested party, ask questions to make the most informed decision you can possibly make. In order for this to happen, you must visit as many chapters as possible and do so with an open mind!
When is recruitment?
Recruitment activities for IFC will take place between September 24th and October 6th, 2007. Panhellenic Spring Recruitment is iduring the weekend of October 5-9, 2007. Intake for MGC chapters are held at different times for different chapters.
How much does it cost to be a member of a fraternity or sorority?
The cost varies from chapter to chapter. The first year is the most expensive because you pay pledge/new member and initiation fees. These are one-time expenses. Sorority costs are approximately $800 for the year ($400 a semester). Fraternity costs are approximately $800 - $1000 for the year.
What kind of time commitment is required in being a member of a fraternity or sorority?
As with any organization or club, Greek life gives back what you put into it. The more you are involved, the greater the benefits. In general, chapters are looking for individuals who want to be involved and give back to the organization. In terms of specific numbers of hours, each organization is different. Typically, associate members or new members (on average, the first 4-8 weeks of membership) devote more time than will be expected in the future, due to the fact that they are new and learning about the organization, as well as getting to know active brothers or sisters and other new members. Once you have been initiated, the time commitment typically consists of weekly chapter meetings, as well as various other chapter activities such as educational speakers, community service hours, and social functions like dances or chapter retreats.
May I join a fraternity or sorority as a sophomore, junior or transfer?
Women interested in Panhellenic recruitment and men in IFC rush are more likely to be selected as a freshman or sophomore. This does not mean that you cannot go through recruitment as a junior, but your chances are greater for membership selection if you are a freshman or sophomore. On the other hand, most NPHC and MGC chapters will not take first semester freshmen as new members, and therefore frequently have new members who are juniors or even seniors.
May I wait until the spring semester to go through recruitment?
Yes. However, for Panhellenic, formal recruitment is in the fall. That means that all the chapters will participate in recruitment. In the spring, informal recruitment is held, which means that only select chapters take in new members. A chapter's decision to participate in informal recruitment varies each spring, depending on the current membership of that chapter. Your opportunity to join a Panhellenic sorority will be significantly limited if you wait until the Spring semester.
Most MGC chapters conduct new member intake in the spring semester. However, attendance at chapter programs throughout the fall semester is typically expected.
Interfraternity Council fraternities participate in both fall and spring recruitment.
Do I have to register for recruitment?
Yes, if you would like to go through Panhellenic formal recruitment in the fall semester. IFC, NPHC and MGC do not require registration. The Interfraternity Council offers assistance and resources to individuals going through recruitment in the form of information on each of the chapters and schedules for all the events.
Is there a limit to the number of times I can go through recruitment?
No. There is a limit to the number of organizations you may join, however. For Panhellenic organizations, once a recruit signs a bid card for a particular chapter, that woman is bound to accept an invitation from that chapter. If she chooses to decline the invitation, she must wait one calendar year to go through recruitment again or to join another Panhellenic sorority. In every fraternity and sorority, once you have been initiated as a full member, you cannot join any other Greek organization with the exception of honoraries.
What if I am not sure I want to join a fraternity or sorority?
The best thing to do is to go through recruitment or intake and get some exposure to Greek life. Ask lots of questions and make an educated decision about whether you would like to join. If you decide Greek Life is not for you, simply withdraw from the process.
Do I have to have a specific GPA to join a fraternity or sorority?
University policy requires that all students active in a student organization must have a minimum 2.0 total (cumulative) GPA at GW.
The IFC does not have a minimum GPA requirement to participate in recruitment activities, however, most chapters do have a minimum GPA for membership.
MGC and NPHC chapters all have minimum grade requirements outlined by their national organization, and require transcripts as part of the Intake process.
The Panhellenic Association has a minimum GPC requirement of 2.3. In addition, most sororities have their own specific GPA requirements.
What is a Ro Co?
During Panhellenic formal recruitment, each potential new member is assigned a recruitment counselor, or Ro Co, who’s role is to advise recruits about the process. Each Ro Co has been specially selected from the Panhellenic sororities for her qualities of caring, understanding, and confidentiality. She disaffiliates herself from her sorority for the duration of recruitment in order to give potential new members the best impartial and objective advice.
What is a recommendation?
Recommendations are forms completed by alumnae members of the individual sororities. All alumnae should have copies of these forms in their national magazines or from their local alumnae club. The Office of Greek Affairs does not supply these forms, nor do they distribute them for individuals. You may want to have a resume filled out with a copy of your transcript to give each alum who is writing a recommendation for you. The resume should include information such as class rank, GPA, academic honors, and extra-curricular volunteer activities.
Do I need a recommendation?
Recommendations are not required by any of the governing councils. Some individual chapters may require them of legacies. If you are a legacy of a chapter on GW's campus, check with the national office of that organization to see if you need a recommendation.
Is there hazing on campus?
Hazing is neither tolerated nor permitted. Both the university and the Greek Community prohibit hazing of any kind and take a firm stance against any form of it, holding individuals and organizations accountable to the fullest extent. New members are encouraged to become familiar with how hazing is defined and report any inappropriate behavior immediately.
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