Frequently Asked Questions

We know that students and families often have questions about fraternity and sorority life. We have provided some answers to some frequently asked questions below:

• How can I find the individual costs to join a fraternity or sorority?

  You can find the financial information for each chapter by following these steps:

  1. Visit the council's main page of the chapter you're interested in joining.
     (e.g. Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, or Panhellenic Council).
  2. Scroll down the council's web page to find and select the specific chapter's profile page you want to learn more about.
  3. Go to the "Financial Obligation" dropdown to view the particular chapter's costs.
• How does housing work for NPHC, MGC, and unhoused IFC organizations?

  Members of unhoused organizations are free to decide their own housing options rather than having required housing. Many of the experiences of these fraternities and sororities mirror the experience of housed chapters. We would encourage all students to research the organization and membership you are joining versus the physical structure of house. After all you are making a lifetime commitment to an organization.  

• Who can join an NPHC or MGC organization?

  Each individual has the opportunity to bring something unique to any group. Although these organizations were founded on the basis of a specific underrepresented population, membership is not restricted to persons of a certain background. Prospective members who meet the academic requirements set forth to those espoused by the organization can be offered membership. We encourage students to attend Convocation hosted by each council at the beginning of each semester. At this event you will learn about each organization and also have an opportunity to meet many of the members of the community. 

• Will my grades suffer if I am in a sorority or fraternity?

  The all-fraternity & sorority average GPA at OSU is consistently higher than the non-affiliated average GPA. For example, this past semester the fraternity & sorority community GPA was a 3.40 while the non-affiliated GPA was a 3.14. Additionally, each organization have academic requirements as well as scholarship programs that will assist in your academic success and help manage your time outside of class. Additionally, a significant number of students in the Honor College are members of a fraternity or sorority.

• What do I need to know about recommendation letters or RIF’s for Panhellenic Recruitment?

  A letter of recommendation, or RIF is written by an alumna member of an organization for the purpose of introducing a woman to a chapter. In most cases, it is filled out via online form through the organizations website. It provides a brief description of her interests, activities, and personality.  There is not a due date for recommendation letters. One thing we would like to point out is that the letter of recommendation is not required and will not make or break your recruitment. These hold less weight than they previously did as the conversations during the Recruitment events are what the chapters base their interactions with a potential new member on. If you are unable to obtain one from a specific organization, it is completely okay!

• Am I guaranteed to receive an invitation for membership (bid) from a chapter during Panhellenic’s recruitment?

  Invitations are only guaranteed to potential new members for the first round, which begins on Monday and concludes on Tuesday. On average, about 85% of women who have started the process have ended up joining a chapter and 90% of those women received there first choice at the end of the week! There is no guarantee that you will be invited to attend the second (Wednesday), third (Thursday), fourth (Friday) rounds but only 30 women the past two years out of the near 900 that start the process have not been invited back. There is no specific formula that defines why a woman is not invited back. Therefore, there is no guarantee you will receive a bid to any sorority. However, if you progress through the week and attend all the events you are invited to during the fourth event round and list each of those chapters on your preference sheet that night, you will receive a bid to one of those chapters. 

• Will I be able to work in addition to being in a sorority or fraternity?

  Many chapter members at OSU have jobs in addition to being in a fraternity or sorority. While we do not encourage having a job as a first semester freshman, plenty of students work part time throughout college. 

• What types of opportunities are there after college?

  Joining a fraternity or sorority is a lifetime commitment with lifetime benefits. Following graduation, members can find alumni groups from their organization all over the nation. These alumni groups offer the continuation of the friendship and experiences of Greek life. Another benefit of joining a fraternity or sorority are the connections which lead to business or job opportunities.

• What time commitment is required when joining a sorority or fraternity? 

  Membership in a fraternity or sorority is totally dependent on the student and how much they want to commit. There are typically a couple of required meetings a week with potentially other commitments depending on what that group is involved with. Being a part of a fraternity or sorority can be as time consuming as the student chooses. Participation in some events (Spring Sing, Follies, Varsity Revue, etc.) take more time than other activities. Fraternity and sorority members learn time management early in their collegiate careers with the help of the fraternity or sorority. We encourage students to be as involved as they can.

• If a person joins a fraternity or sorority and decides he or she doesn’t like it, can he or she join another one?

  That depends on several factors. As long as the person has not been initiated into a chapter, there may be procedures to affiliate with another chapter. There will be a waiting period before that person can sign or affiliate with another chapter. That waiting period will vary based on gender and the circumstances surrounding the situation. 

• Is hazing a problem? 

  The health and safety of all of our students is a top priority at OSU. We are committed to assuring your student has a postive and safe experience. As stated previously, our Greek 100 program offers education and awareness to promote an anti-hazing community. When violations of the Hazing Code can be substantiated, the responsible parties will be dealt with in a fast, firm and fair manner. We encourage all members of the Cowboy Family to see something, say something to assure the health and safety of all students. If you or someone you know has witnessed an act of hazing, please report by contacting the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Affairs or Student Support & Conduct. 

• Are there campus rules for living in a fraternity or sorority?

  Fraternity and sorority organizations with housing facilities are all considered “university-approved housing.” As such, freshmen are allowed to live in them and they must be substance-free and provide a house director. All OSU students must conduct themselves according to the Student Code of Conduct. Additionally, the fraternity and sorority community, through the governing bodies of IFC and Panhellenic, has additional policies and expectations of its membership. 

• What does move-in look like for fraternities and sororities?

  All student classifications may live in the chapter facilities based on chapter availability. Fraternity men will move-in a few days prior to the first day of classes. After a woman joins a sorority through the Panhellenic recruitment process, she may move into the chapter facility if the chapter has open beds. 

• If my son is considering joining a fraternity should he go ahead and submit his residence hall housing deposit in case he changes his mind?

  Absolutely. All freshmen are required to live in university-approved housing. It is important he have his choice of housing on campus if he does choose to live in a Residential Life facility. If your son joins a chapter that has a fraternity house, please note the Housing & Residential Life deadlines on the bid card (invitation to join). This will assure your student is not charged for OSU housing and dining fees. 

• Do sororities and fraternities cost more than living in the residence halls?

  Each individual chapter establishes their own fees, and the costs and services will vary from chapter to chapter. On average the cost to reside in a chapter housing facility is typically less than an on campus residence hall. However, this varies from chapter to chapter and residence hall facilities. Please ask for the most up-to-date information prior to making any decision. 

• Does financial aid cover any expenses?

  Cash refund awards students receive can be applied to room and board in Greek chapter houses.

• What is a house director?

  A house director is a live-in adult, sometimes a graduate student, employed by the chapter house corporation. His or her duties vary from chapter to chapter. Generally, the house director serves as host or hostess for social events; supervises employed staff; counsels and works with members; and manages and maintains the house and kitchen. All sororities and fraternities with houses are required to have a house director.