Fraternity & Sorority Life
Info for First-Year Students
Rush, Recruitment and Intake
Welcome to DePauw University! You will have many opportunities made available to you at DePauw, one being Greek Life. The tradition of Greek Life at DePauw dates back to 1845. Today nearly sixty-nine percent of our students affiliate (or join) a fraternity or sorority. You will have the opportunity to do so during either men’s rush, women’s recruitment or National Pan-Hellenic membership intake.
Membership is by invitation obtained through a process called “recruitment.” Anyone admitted to the University as a regular full-time student and who meets academic standards is eligible to participate in fraternity and sorority recruitment activities. (Some students with Community Standards sanctions may have restrictions on participation.)
Seventeen chapters own their own chapter houses through not-for-profit alumni housing corporations. While these facilities are private property and not University-owned, they are approved by the University as student housing. Costs are comparable to residence hall living. Membership is obtained without regard to race, religion, national origin or physical ability.
Rules governing fraternity and sorority recruitment are published each year by the Interfraternity Council (IFC) for men and Panhellenic Council (Panhellenic) for women.
Recruitment dates are as follows:
Interfraternity Council Fraternities:
January 31st, 2009 – first round
February 1st, 2009 – first round
February 6th, 2009 – second round
February 7th, 2009 – third round
Panhellenic Sororities:
January 25th, 2009 – first round
January 30th, 2009 – second round
January 31st, 2009 – preference round
February 1st, 2009 – bid day
National Pan-Hellenic Organizations
National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations
Local organizations
Intake depends on each organization's process
IFC Welcome Letter
Panhellenic Welcome Letter
Information on Sorority Recruitment 2009
First-Year Visitation Policy
Access by non-members to the privately-owned chapter houses is determined by each chapter. In the case of First-Year students, access policies have been set by the Interfraternity Council for its 11 chapters and the Panhellenic Council for its six chapters.
During the first semester of each academic year, First-Year students are allowed on fraternity and sorority property at the following times:
Fraternity facilities are now open to First-Year students on Sundays through Thursdays, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. (IFC chapters also will be hosting rush barbeques, with more information available shortly.)
Sorority facilities will be open to First-Year students beginning October 22 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Any University residence whose occupants are affiliated with a Greek chapter is considered a fraternity or sorority residence if more than 50 percent of the residents are members of any one Greek chapter.
First-Year students are not allowed on fraternity or sorority property during Winter Term.
There are consequences for both students and Greek chapters for violations of the First-Year policies. Students who do not comply may not be eligible to participate in formal recruitment, and chapters face significant penalties for violations. Please refer to the following links for more information about the First-Year Visitation Policies:
IFC Fraternities
Panhellenic Sororities
Panhellenic Mingles and Chapter House Open Hours
Beginning September 8, Panhellenic sororities are hosting M.I.N.G.L.E. (Meaningful Interactions in Navigating the Greek Life Experience). One Mingle will be held each week from 11:30-12:30 p.m. from September 8 through October 17. Mingles are an opportunity to see sorority houses and meet sorority women over lunch. They are very informal and fun!
First-Year students/potential new members will need to RSVP to attend through their Rho Gamma. Please refer to the Rho Gamma assignments by Residence Hall floor (below).
Below are the hours that First-Years will be allowed in each Chapter house for the M.I.N.G.L.E.S. program. Each Chapter has set its own hours. In opening the chapter houses for the first time, we hope that First-Years will take advantage of the opportunity to get to know upperclass women in all of the Chapters during the specified hours. However, each Chapter has also said that First-Years may come over on an invitation basis only.
Alpha Chi Omega
Sunday -Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Alpha Phi
Sunday - Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Delta Gamma
Sunday - Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m.
Kappa Alpha Theta
Sunday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Sunday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Pi Beta Phi
Sunday through Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Recruitment Counselors (Rho Gammas)
As you participate in the recruitment process, you will have a recruitment counselor called a Rho Gamma. A recruitment counselor is a member of a fraternity or sorority who is disaffiliated from their chapter during recruitment.
Recruitment Counselors are impartial, unbiased recruitment resources. They are trained in the recruitment process and how to best support you as you learn more about the Panhellenic community.
Women will meet their Rho Gamma during the second week of class, and men will meet theirs during rush in late January.
Note for First-Year women:
You have been assigned to a Rho Gamma according to their residence. If you have questions about Rho Gammas or would like more information, please contact the 2008-2009 Rho Gamma coordinator Meghan Williams.
Residence Hall Floor |
Rho Gammas for Women |
BR 1 (Pit) |
Alex Spangler |
BR 2 |
Sarah McCord and Caroline Majers |
BR 3 |
Caroline Parsons |
College St. |
Robyn Jenkins and Kathleen Belden |
Hogate 2 |
Megan Bowker and Sarah Riffle |
Hogate 3 |
Laura Sahm and Melissa Buckley |
Hogate 4 |
Kristi Martin |
Humbert 2 & 3 |
Erika Fenoglio and Catherine Lerum |
Humbert 4 |
Sarah Beatty and Kate Gladson |
Longden 1 & 2 |
Mary Therese Schmidt and Julie Theibert |
Longden 3 |
Ana Ledesma and Katie Schaffer |
Lucy & Mason |
Katey Larson and Keelin Kelly |
Greek Vocabulary
Active – see Member.
Alumni – Initiated Greek members no longer in college.
For men: Alumnus is singular, alumni is plural.
For women: Alumna is singular, alumnae is plural.
For a group of men and women, alumni is plural.
Bid – A formal invitation to join a sorority or fraternity.
Candidate (i.e. aspirant) – A man or woman participating in the membership intake process.
Chapter – The local group of a larger inter/national fraternity or sorority.
Formal Rush/Recruitment – The process sponsored by IFC or Panhellenic that provides the opportunity for prospective members to join a fraternity or sorority.
IFC – The Interfraternity Council is the governing board for its 11 member fraternities.
Initiation – The formal ceremony in which new members become full members of a chapter.
Intake – The new member education process for NPHC organizations. Intake begins once an individual has officially been invited to join an organization.
Interest meeting – A rush event sponsored by a NPHC organization.
Legacy – A potential member whose father/mother, brother/sister, grandfather/grandmother, and sometimes uncle/aunt is a member (undergraduate or alumni) of a certain organization and/or chapter.
Local – a DePauw sorority or fraternity that is not affiliated with a national organization.
Member – A person who has been initiated into lifelong membership and is currently in college, or in the case of NPHC organizations, a member that is financially in good standing with the organization (college undergraduate or alumnus).
NALFO – The National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations.
New Member (pledge, associate, aspirant) – A man or woman who has accepted a bid to join a fraternity or sorority and has taken the first step toward full membership, but has not yet been initiated.
NPHC – The National Pan-Hellenic Council is the governing board for the Historically Black Greek Lettered Organizations on campus.
Panhellenic – The Panhellenic Council is the governing board for its six member sororities.
Potential Member (i.e. rushee) – A man or woman participating in the rush or recruitment process.
Quota – The maximum number of new members a sorority or fraternity may pledge during the formal rush/recruitment process.
Recommendation – A written letter (usually by an alumna) recommending a potential member for sorority membership.
FAQs
Is Greek life a big deal at DePauw?
DePauw University has a long and proud history, and Greek life certainly plays a role in it. Two sororities were founded here, the first in 1870, and our Greek system dates back to 1845 when the first fraternity chapter was formed. Today, 69 percent of DePauw students belong to a fraternity or sorority, and we are proud to be one of just a few colleges in the country that have such a strong and flourishing Greek community.
What are the benefits to joining a Greek organization?
Greek organizations were founded on the principles of leadership, service, scholarship, and brother/sisterhood. Students today find that Greek life provides opportunities to get involved in the community and on campus, develop lifelong friendships, gain valuable leadership experience, and achieve success academically.
How do I join a fraternity or sorority?
Students can join a fraternity or a sorority at DePauw one of three ways. The majority of our members join as First-Year students during the formal recruitment process that takes place each February. IFC and Panhellenic sponsor these processes and each fraternity and sorority host events during a four day period that allows potential members the opportunity to get to know the members and determine which organization is the best fit for them. The second option for joining is called C.O.B. (continuous open bidding). In C.O.B., students can join a Greek organization during the fall semester (if they are a sophomore, junior, or senior) or after the formal recruitment process is complete in the spring under certain circumstances. There is no formal process for C.O.B.; each organization recruits independently if they chose to do so. NPHC does not sponsor a rush for the Historically Black Greek Lettered Organizations although they do host “Meet The Greeks” each fall so students can learn more about each chapter and ask questions about joining. Each fraternity and sorority recruits new members independently, and students can learn more by attending interest sessions, attending each organization’s functions, and talking with current members.
When is rush and recruitment?
During the 2007-08 school year, Panhellenic and IFC Recruitment will occur during the weekends before and after the first week of Spring Semester. Specific days and times are listed above. NPHC, NALFO and local chapters recruit independently and on their own timelines.
Why is recruitment deferred?
DePauw University made the decision to defer rush and recruitment in 1999. Since then, these processes have taken place during the second semester. Deferred recruitment allows First-Year students the opportunity to better acclimate to the University, adjust to college level course work, meet friends outside of the Greek system, join other campus organizations, and form a strong community in their residence halls before deciding if Greek life is for them. The decision to defer recruitment has been very well received by the students.
How much does Greek membership cost?
There are costs associated with Greek life, and it is important to get the facts BEFORE deciding to join. Financial responsibility is a serious point of membership. The University does not own or operate the Greek houses so each individual organization determines the costs for living in their facility. However, room and board in the chapter houses is, on average, very similar to what the University charges for students living in University owned housing. In addition to room and board cost, each chapter also assesses dues to their members. Dues support the chapter operational expenses, social functions, and national fees. New members can expect to pay higher dues their first semester for additional national costs (pledging fees, initiation fees, badge cost, etc.). Additional (and often optional) costs through the semester may include t-shirts, pictures, etc. Most chapters offer payment plans and some even offer scholarships to help make financing Greek life reasonable for anyone who wishes to join.
What are the requirements for joining a fraternity or sorority?
Any student wishing to join a fraternity or sorority on campus must meet the University, IFC/Panhel, and inter/national requirements for membership.
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Women wishing to participate in formal recruitment must:
Be in good academic standing with the University (not on academic probation)
Have a 2.5 G.P.A.
Have no Community Standards restriction on participation
Be at least a second semester First-Year student -
Men wishing to join a fraternity must:
Be in good academic standing with the University (not on academic probation)
Have a 2.25 G.P.A.
Have no Community Standards restriction on participation
Be at least a second semester First-Year student -
Men and women wishing to join a NPHC organization must:
Be in good academic standing with the University (not on academic probation)
Have no Community Standards restriction on participation
Be at least a second semester First-Year student
Meet all expectations of the inter/national organization for membership
