FRATERNITY & SORORITY LIFE

Recruitment and Intake are the names for the process of joining a Fraternity or Sorority. These names have largely replaced the term "rush". Fraternities and sororities conduct recruitment, intake, and new member activities at various times during the year, Northwestern Fraternity and Sorority Life takes part in a “deferred recruitment”, which means that first-year students are not permitted to join chapters until the winter quarter of their first year. This delay is intended to give first-year students the opportunity to get acclimated to college life and to have plenty of time to get more information about Fraternity and Sorority Life prior to going through recruitment.

Recruitment processes can either be collaborative, coordinated by councils, or independent, coordinated by chapters. While first-year students may attend recruitment related events throughout the Fall quarters, they may not be extended bids to membership until the Winter quarter. Transfer students and upperclassmen are allowed to pursue affiliation during the Fall quarter.

Information about joining each council can be found under the "Recruitment & Intake" Tab

The membership intake or new member education process typically lasts between 1 to 10 weeks, depending on the organization. During this time, you'll learn about the national organization’s history, the local chapter, and key information required for membership. You can expect to dedicate around 4–5 hours per week during this period. Time commitments will vary from chapter to chapter, but the first quarter of membership will likely be one of the busiest times. After initiation expectations vary, but each chapter has weekly required meetings as well as other mandatory events (community service, initiation, etc.) that are scheduled well in advance.

Membership dues are funds collected by members that are used to support both the national organization and the local chapter. National dues typically cover things like materials, leadership programming, and insurance. Local dues help fund events, operations, facility operations (as applicable) and other chapter-level expenses on campus.

Each fraternity or sorority sets its own dues, so costs can vary. As you explore different organizations, be sure to ask about the cost of membership. Chapters should be able to provide a breakdown of how dues are used.

Billing cycles also vary, with each chapter having unique due dates. 

Joining a fraternity or sorority comes with responsibilities—including signing documents like membership agreements, housing contracts, or financial commitments. These are official agreements, and by signing them, you are expected to follow through. Some of these agreements are facilitated through third-parties, such as the Inter/National Fraternity or Sorority. 

As a college student, you are considered a legal adult if you are over the age of 18. That means if you agree to pay dues by a certain date or sign a lease, you are responsible for that commitment —just like any other legal agreement. If you ever have questions before signing something, do not hesitate to ask for clarification. It’s important to fully understand what you're agreeing to. 

Letters of recommendation are submitted by an alumni of a fraternity or sorority that introduces a potential member (PNM) to a chapter. It is not a guarantee of membership but provides an introduction and highlights the PNM's qualities. Each chapter has a unique process for utilization and submitting letters of recommendation. They are not required to join a fraternity or sorority, and the majority of members across the community at NU have joined organizations without having a letter of recommendation submitted. 

 

A Legacy is a potential new member who has a close family member (like a parent, sibling, or grandparent) who was or is a member of the same fraternity or sorority. Each chapter has it's own unique policies regarding legacies. 

At Northwestern, your student’s safety is of the highest importance. The University forbids hazing and all other activities that interfere with the personal liberty of an individual. The University defines hazing as any intentional or unintentional situation created, or action committed, that:

• a reasonable person would consider to cause mental, physical, or emotional discomfort, and;

• is for the purpose of admission to, affiliation with, initiation into, or as a condition for continued membership in any group, team, or organization.

This applies to situations and actions that occur on or off University premises and whether the situation or action is presented as optional or required. Acceptance or consent by incoming, new, or continuing members of said group, team, or organization does not then authorize the situation or activity to occur.  Members in positions of leadership or power within the group, team, or organization who fail to report an act of hazing committed against another individual may be held accountable for violating the hazing policy. Situations and actions causing mental, physical, or emotional discomfort include, but are not limited to, those encouraging or requiring servitude, degradation, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule.

Some chapters may have individual GPA requirements that they assess among potential members. Additionally, once members are fully initiated, chapters may have a minimum GPA requirement they expect all members to meet. Chapters cannot access an individual’s GPA unless that individual has signed a FERPA Release (prompted as an option in certain recruitment registrations, or by completing the Member Registration form or Temporary Authorization of Grade Disclosure).

Involvement in a fraternity or sorority can affect academics in a positive way. Fraternities and Sororities  typically have higher average GPAs than their non-FSL peers.