Joining a Fraternity or Sorority
How to Join a Fraternity or Sorority
Fraternities and sororities select their members through a recruitment process, sometimes referred to as "rush." The membership selection process for the African-American-based organizations is called intake. By University and council policies, the recruitment process is alcohol-free.
To join students must be regularly enrolled in classes at San Diego State University and are required to be in good academic standing (not on academic probation). Individual organizations have minimum grade point average requirements, ranging from a 2.0 to 2.5 cumulative college grade point average for continuing or transfer students, or a high school cumulative grade point average of 2.60 to 2.80 for new freshmen.
***Extended Studies and Open University students are ineligible to join.
Interfraternity Council
(IFC) Recruitment Process
(General Fraternities)
The Interfraternity Council conducts membership recruitment in the first month of each semester. Typically there is an orientation event, and chapters then sponsor their own recruitment activities over a 5-6 day period. No registration fee is required, and it is up to the student to select which events to attend. On the second day, fraternities can start giving out "bids," which are invitations to join. Students are encouraged to visit as many chapters as practical during the recruitment period to discover the group that best meets their needs. Although most men join during the IFC-designated recruitment period, chapters are permitted to extend bids for the duration of the semester..
The Fall 2008 IFC Recruitment events:
- Recruitment Information Tables
Monday - Thursday, September 8 – 11, 10 am - 2 pm
Centennial Walkway and Cuicicalli Walkway - Recruitment Week
Sunday – Thursday, September 14 – 18
Individual Chapter Events – Schedules will be handed out at chapter information table
Panhellenic Association Recruitment
Process
(General Sororities)
The fall recruitment process for the general residential sororities is more structured. Registration is required and a $35 fee is required ($45 for registrations received after September 2). To avoid conflicts with classes, recruitment events are held in the evenings and weekend days. Participatns attend events at all participating chapters on Thursday & Friday. Recruitment is a mutual selection process. After Friday’s events potential members rank their preferences and the sororities submit invitation lists. On Saturday, each potential new member will be scheduled to attend up to six events. The process repeats and on Sunday, each potential new member will be scheduled to attend up to four events. The final invitational event is held on Monday, with two Preference Parties which are more formal in nature.
After the Preference Parties, potential new members rank their choices and the sororities submit a preference list. To promote equity in the recruitment process, each sorority is permitted to pledge a maximum number of women, so a "bid matching" process determines which sorority each participant will join. Most participants receive a bid from the chapter they list as their first choice after the Preference Parties.
The Fall 2008 Panhellenic Recruitment events:
Recruitment Information:
- Recruitment Information Tables
Monday – Thursday, September 2 – 5, 10 am - 2 pm
Centennial Walkway and Cuicicalli Walkway - Registration Deadline
Friday, September 5 at 10 pm
($35 fee prior to September 1, $45 fee between September 2 – 5) - Mandatory Recruitment Orientation
Saturday, September 6 @ 9am
Montezuma Hall, Aztec Center
- Recruitment Events
Thursday – Monday, September 11 – 16 .
Request more information about Fall 2008 Panhellenic Recruitment
Register for Fall 2008 Panhellenic Recruitment!
United Sorority and Fraternity
Council (USFC)
Recruitment Process
(Culturally-Based Sororities and Fraternities)
The United Sorority and Fraternity Council (USFC) conducts an informal recruitment process in the first month of each semester. There is a USFC orientation session followed by several days of chapter recruitment activities held on campus or at off-campus venues. No registration fee is required. Some organizations will continue to recruit new members throughout the semester. Some USFC chapters only conduct one membership drive per year.
The Fall 2008 USFC Recruitment dates are:
Information Tables:
Monday - Friday, September 15 – 19 , 8 am - 2 pm, Centennial Walkway
Recruitment Information Night:
Thursday, September 18, 7 pm, Aztec Center
Chapter Recruitment Events (dates vary by chapter):
Friday, September 19 – Friday, September 26
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Membership Selection
(Historically African-American Fraternities and Sororities)
Unlike the other councils, NPHC chapters conduct their membership selection or "membership intake process" independently and at different times. Chapters usually conduct interest meetings that are relatively formal in nature. Students must usually provide transcripts and letters of recommendation. A Greek Mixer will be scheduled in September to provide more information to interested students. Note that NPHC organizations do not permit freshmen to join during their first semester and some require sophomore standing in order to apply for the intake process.
The Fall 2008 NPHC events for prospective members are:
- Greek Yardshow:
Friday, September 5, noon, Free Speech Steps, Aztec Center - Greek Mixer
Wednesday, September 10, 7 pm, Aztec Center