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Freshman Freeze

Freshman Freeze

In the fall quarter during Wildcat Welcome (New Student Week) first-year students may not attend an event sponsored by an individual fraternity or sorority chapter. Additionally, during Wildcat Welcome, first-year students may not visit a fraternity or sorority house except to visit a close relative, carry out official University business, or meet obligations of employment.

While first-year students are not permitted to attend individual fraternity or sorority chapter events, programming facilitated by councils - approved by FSL - may be allowed during Wildcat Welcome. Council programming must serve as an introductory opportunity to learn about membership within the community. Our goal is to ensure students understand the breadth of the fraternity/sorority experience across all four councils.

Starting on the first day of classes, first-year students are permitted to attend chapter-sponsored events and enter chapter houses unless University policy violations are occurring or their presence is otherwise prohibited under the policies governing fraternity and sorority chapters. Both first-year students and chapters are subject to discipline for violating this policy. Check with Fraternity and Sorority Life for additional policies and procedures.

Fraternity and Sorority Recruitment of First-Year Students

Northwestern University restricts first-year students from joining the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan Hellenic Council, or Panhellenic Association member groups until winter quarter. During fall quarter no fraternity or sorority may offer an invitation of membership to any first-year student. A first-year student may accept an invitation of membership from a chapter only after the start of winter quarter.

Alcohol is not permitted at any recruitment or new member/pledge activity.

Review the Policy

You may review the entirety of this policy on page 87 of the 2021-2022 Student Handbook.