How to join a chapter

Academic Eligibility

In order to join a fraternity or sorority at Georgia Southern University, individuals must meet one of the following requirements:

• Incoming freshmen must have a 2.75 or higher high school GPA, as calculated by the Georgia Southern University Office of Admissions. This GPA  is based on the Required High School Curriculum. This is NOT the final high school GPA listed on your transcript or your HOPE GPA. Before registering for any recruitment process, we encourage you to check your GPA using your online Admissions Status Check Page.
• Current students with an established GPA may register for a recruitment process during their undergraduate collegiate career with a Georgia Southern overall GPA of 2.50 or higher based on at least 12 or more credits. Transfer students with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher based on at least 12 or more credits may also register for a recruitment process.

If you have any questions about your academic eligibility you can contact Melanie McKnight who serves as our Admission Liaison. You can reach Melanie via phone at (912) 478-1004 or via email at mmcknight@georgiasouthern.edu.

Additional Eligibility Information

Below are some additional pieces of information regarding eligibility:

• East Georgia students are NOT eligible to join a fraternity or sorority.
• Students enrolled in the EAGLE Academy are NOT eligible to join a fraternity or sorority.
• Students enrolled in the Georgia Tech program at Georgia Southern ARE eligible to join a fraternity or sorority
• Dual-enrollment students are NOT eligible to join a fraternity or sorority

Primary Campus

Lastly, current enrolled Georgia Southern students can only join chapters on their designated primary campus. For example, if a student’s primary campus is Georgia Southern – Armstrong Campus, they are only eligible to join one of the established organizations on that campus. They are not eligible to join one of the organizations established at the Statesboro campus. This will be based on the primary campus identified by the student at the time of admission.

Intake

Intake refers to the formal process of selecting and initiating prospective members into the organization. It varies among different fraternities and sororities and includes events, meetings, interviews, and sometimes tests or examinations. The purpose of intake is to assess the compatibility of potential members with the organization’s values and criteria. During this period, prospective members engage in informational sessions, social events, and activities to become familiar with the fraternity or sorority and determine if it is a good fit.

The following organizations take part in the intake process:

Recruitment

Recruitment, on the other hand, is the process of attracting and selecting new members. It is a structured effort to identify individuals who may be a good fit for the organization and invite them to join. Recruitment activities typically occur during a designated period, often known as “recruitment week” or “rush week.” These events provide opportunities for prospective members to learn about the organization, meet current members, and participate in activities that highlight its values and traditions. During recruitment, prospective members attend informational sessions, social events, and one-on-one or group meetings with current members. It is a mutual selection process where both the organization and prospective members evaluate their compatibility.

It’s important to note that recruitment processes can vary among fraternities and sororities, with some having formalized procedures and others adopting more informal approaches. The specific recruitment procedures and timelines are typically determined by the national or international headquarters of the organization and may be influenced by campus or regional regulations.

The following organizations take part in the recruitment process:

Councils refer to organizations that oversee and coordinate the activities of multiple fraternities and sororities on a college or university campus. These councils serve as umbrella organizations that provide support, resources, and guidance to their member organizations.

At Georgia Southern University, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority directly advises four councils. At the Armstrong campus, we oversee the College Panhellenic (CPH), and we are working on establising the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). On the Statesboro campus, we oversee the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and the Panhellenic Association (PHA).

Interfraternity Council (IFC)

Interfraternity Council (IFC): The Interfraternity Council represents and governs fraternities on campus. It serves as a coordinating body for member fraternities and promotes collaboration among them. The IFC often establishes policies, standards, and guidelines for recruitment, social events, and conduct within member fraternities.

College Panhellenic (CPH) & Panhellenic Assocation (PHA)

The Panhellenic Council is the governing body for sororities on campus. It oversees the activities of member sororities and promotes unity, cooperation, and adherence to common policies. The PHC typically manages the recruitment process, sets standards for chapter operations, and organizes events and programs that benefit member sororities.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

The National Pan-Hellenic Council is an umbrella organization that represents historically African American fraternities and sororities, also known as the “Divine Nine.” It focuses on fostering collaboration, unity, and advocacy among its member organizations. The NPHC often coordinates events, promotes community service initiatives, and upholds the values and traditions of its member fraternities and sororities.

These councils play a vital role in promoting the values, standards, and positive impact of fraternity and sorority life on campus. They facilitate communication and cooperation among member organizations, provide educational programming, enforce policies, and serve as a resource for chapter leaders and members.

Registration for recruitment is exclusive to those who wish to join chapters affiliated with College Panhellenic (CPH), Interfraternity Council (IFC), or the Panhellenic Association (PHA). To begin the registration process, you have two options. You can either access the registration links provided below or you can access these links through the MyGeorgiaSouthern Portal. We want to ensure that you can easily access the registration process in a way that suits your needs. If you are interested in join a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organization click here.

• College Panhellenic (CPH)
• Interfraternity Council (IFC)
• Panhellenic Council (PHC)

For your convenience, we have prepared a video guide below that will walk you through getting access to the registration links via MyGeorgiaSouthern Portal.

To ensure a safe and inclusive experience for all students interested in joining any chapter at Georgia Southern University, three required online modules must be completed:

1. Brave and Bold Dialogues: This course explores diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through self-reflection and awareness exercises, you will develop cultural competency and open yourself to new perspectives. By engaging with this module, you will lay a foundation for fostering an inclusive and understanding community.
2. Hazing Prevention 101: Developed in collaboration with HazingPrevention.Org and renowned hazing prevention experts, this evidence-based course equips you with best practices to recognize, prevent, and report hazing incidents. By completing this module, you will play an active role in creating a safe and respectful environment within the fraternity and sorority community.
3. Fraternity and Sorority Life: This module builds upon the Hazing Prevention 101 course and focuses specifically on issues related to Fraternity & Sorority Life. Designed for campus-based groups and national organizations, it provides a deep-dive into topics relevant to your experience. Completion of the Hazing Prevention 101 module is a prerequisite for accessing this module, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of critical issues.

By successfully completing these online modules, you will enhance your cultural competency, actively contribute to hazing prevention efforts, and gain valuable insights into the dynamics of Fraternity & Sorority Life. These modules are designed to promote a safe, inclusive, and positive experience for all members.

Fraternity and Sorority members are responsible for dues to the chapter. These dues are used to pay for community service and philanthropic projects, social events, chapter house usage (if applicable), parent and alumni events, insurance and national fees, as well as general chapter expenses. If you accept an invitation to join, you may be asked to sign a membership and financial responsibilities agreement. It is encouraged that you review all agreements carefully and discuss them with your parents before making a decision.

Additionally, most IFC and PHA organizations require housing fees. These fees contribute to the maintenance, renovation, and furnishing of the chapter house or aid in funding the construction of a new facility.

Many of our fraternities and sororities have houses on Olympic Boulevard, while others have houses throughout the Statesboro community. Some chapters also operate a dining service within their house for members.

Below are the average cost based by councils. However, please note that financial responsibilities and housing policies may vary from group to group, so it is advisable to ask questions and seek clarification before joining.

Armstrong Campus

College Panhellnic Council Chapters

• Average cost of membership: $750.00

National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapters

• Average cost of membership: $1,800.00

Statesboro Campus

Interfraternity Council (IFC)

• Average cost of membership: $875.00

National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapters

• Average cost of membership: $1,800.00

Panhellenic Association (PHA)

• Average cost of membership: $1,600.00

If you’re ready to discover your path to lifelong friendships, meaningful connections, and endless possibilities, complete the Fraternity & Sorority Life Interest Form today. We can’t wait to welcome you into our community at Georgia Southern University.

Click here to fill out the interest form.