frequently asked questions
It depends on the organization, but most can be joined by first-year students. While first-semester students are permitted to join organizations their first semester and many do, some students chose to wait a semester or more before joining an organization. Joining a fraternity or sorority is an individual decision and students should look to start the fraternity or sorority experience when they are ready.
A popular but important question to ask during the recruitment/intake process – the time commitment varies based upon the expectations of each organization. The amount of time a member wants to commit to the chapter is also a testament to how much the member wants to get out or contribute to the chapter. Many chapters would minimally expect members to be present for a weekly chapter meeting and a weekly chapter event (brotherhood/sisterhood, dinner, fundraiser, educational speaker, etc.), so two to four hours a week.
A strong benefit of fraternities and sororities is that relationships and connections to the fraternity/sorority are life-long. Unlike a student organization that you may choose to be a part of one semester and leave the next, fraternities and sororities do not have simple processes for removing membership, however, each organization does have a process should the need arise.
The required GPA varies for each chapter and each governing council. If you are concerned that your high school GPA, or for current EIU students your college GPA, may not be sufficient, ask during the recruitment/ intake process if you meet the minimum requirements.
There are many benefits of being in a fraternity or sorority. These benefits include, but are not limited to the following: leadership experiences (officer positions and conferences), academic support, friendships, mentorships, intramurals and team sports, community service, alumni networking, wider range of resources and connections on campus, lifelong memories, philanthropic involvement, time management, life skills development and the potential to receive various scholarships.
Academic achievement is your primary responsibility while at EIU. In addition to minimum GPA requirements, most chapters have an academic officer and a faculty advisor whose responsibilities include assisting members in achieving their academic goals and monitoring their academic progress. If necessary, they also help connect members with academic resources such as tutoring or mentoring to help members who are not meeting expectations. Many chapters also reward members for excelling in the classroom with awards and gifts.
The new member process, sometimes referred to as pledging or associate member process, consists of a defined period of time (typically between four to eight weeks) where new members meet brothers/sisters in the fraternity/sorority, learn about the history and values of the chapter and community and participate in service and philanthropy events and social activities. After completing the new member process, new members are initiated into the organization.
Fraternity and sorority members are very involved in other clubs and organizations across campus and in the community. In fact, many chapters expect members to be involved in at least one organization outside of the fraternity or sorority. Many of the leaders of Student Government, Residence Hall Association, University Board, and other major student organizations are members of fraternities and sororities.
Recruitment/intake is a mutual selection process, so while you are looking for an organization that is best for you, chapters are determining who they think will be best for the organization, so unfortunately, bids are not guaranteed.
In order to choose a chapter that is right for you, do some preliminary research about each organization before recruitment. The recruitment process will allow you and the chapters to decide on the best fit. As you go through the process, be sure to keep an open mind, take notes, after events and be yourself.
EIU Online students are enrolled EIU students, therefore eligible to be a member of a fraternity or sorority. If an EIU Online student is not in the immediate area, the distance may prove difficult for recruitment or membership expectations for the fraternity or sorority (ie. attendance requirements for brotherhood/sisterhoods, chapter meetings, etc.)
Graduate students interested in pursuing membership in a fraternity and sorority should research the national organization they are interested in to see what the possibility of graduate membership may be. Some chapters and councils allow for graduate members and others do not. For questions about a specific chapter, refer to that organization’s national website.