Panhellenic Association
Minimum 2.7 GPA
Follow: @IUBPHA
More information: iubpharecruitment.com
PHA is composed of 22 sororities that focus on leadership, scholarship, philanthropy and sisterhood. Freshman or sophomore women may seek membership by attending a greek informational meeting. After registering for the PHA recruitment process, each woman will be assigned a recruitment counselor known as a Rho Gamma.
IU PHA recruitment does not begin until second semester. This allows women to adjust to college life and develop good study habits before joining sorority life.
Rush officially begins Jan. 8 with Open House, or “22 party,” where recruits will visit all 22 PHA chapters. After 22 party, potential members meet with their Rho Gammas and rank their favorite chapters.
After 22 party, women will go through three more stages as they get to know the personalities and values of each chapter. Recruitment finishes with Bid Day, when women are invited into a sorority. Upon accepting the bid, they begin initiation.
Former PHA president Anjulia Urasky said there are many benefits to going greek.
“You get lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities and a supportive community,” Urasky said via email. “Members of a sorority or fraternity join for life. It’s not just four years.”
Interfraternity Council
Minimum 2.7 GPA
Follow: @IUBIFC
IFC is composed of 30 chapters and three colonies, or new greek organizations awaiting official approval by their national fraternity. IFC fraternities are based on brotherhood, leadership, scholarship and service.
“Our mantra is if you want to join greek life, we can a find a frat for you,” former Vice President of Recruitment Tom Ault said.
After meeting with the Bro Gammas, Ault said it’s their hope that men will come to Dunn Meadow with a short list of fraternities to meet so they can maximize their time at the event. Once potential members sign up with a number of fraternities they’re interested in, they can attend open events, where they’ll go on house tours and meet brothers in a sober setting.
Fraternity chapters then extend bids, and once a potential member signs a bid to a specific house, he’ll begin member education, or the pledge process. Men may also choose to rush in the spring.
Former IFC president Sean Jordan said he got a lot out of his decision to join a fraternity.
“For me, it’s a lot of leadership development, making a big school feel small, finding your niche with a great group of guys and providing a solid foundation to grow as a human being throughout your college career,” Jordan said.
Multi-Cultural Greek Council
Nine chapters, one colony
Requirements: Minimum 2.5 GPA, letters of recommendation, letter of interest, community service hours
Follow: @IU_MCGC
More information: contact senior assistant director Lindsay Echols, lechols@indiana.edu.
MCGC is composed of nine sorority and fraternity chapters and one colony. The chapters identify with a specific race, sexual orientation or religious preference, but students may join any chapter regardless of their race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
All MCGC chapters commit themselves to academic excellence, leadership development and community service.
To join a MCGC chapter, interested students can attend an informational session at the beginning of the semester. They will then fill out an application to seek membership to a specific sorority or fraternity. Each chapter runs its recruitment process differently.
MCGC senior assistant director Lindsay Echols said there is a distinct benefit to joining a MCGC sorority or fraternity.
“MCGC chapters are able to delve in and celebrate other cultures in a predominantly white campus, so members are able to learn about themselves and others,” Echols said. “It’s a wonderful learning opportunity.”
National Pan-Hellenic Council
Requirements: Must have completed at least 12 credit hours with a minimum 2.5 GPA, letters of recommendation, letter of interest, community service hours
Follow: @NPHC_IU
For more information: contact senior assistant director Lindsay Echols, lechols@indiana.edu.
NPHC is composed of nine historically black national sororities and fraternities. However, like MCGC, members do not have to be of a certain race or ethnicity to join.
The chapters are founded in philanthropy and service, and they work in the community at local nonprofit organizations like Middle Way House and the Boys and Girls Club.
The time frame for rush varies by specific chapter, but those seeking to rush will receive an application and submit for membership after the first informational meeting. The process will repeat in the spring.
In addition to the friendships and networking opportunities, Echols also said joining a chapter means making a lasting pledge to the sorority or fraternity.
“The thing that sets NPHC apart from other councils is the life-long commitment,” Echols said. “My grandmother is 91 years old and still a financial member of her sorority.”
