Congratulations on your decision to attend Tulane University. At a university with such a unique experience, the number of great opportunities for campus involvement can be overwhelming. Our fraternity and sorority community allows members the chance to become involved on and off campus through philanthropic endeavors, academics, and leadership development, all while building and maintaining lasting relationships Regardless of how far you will travel to New Orleans, your chosen organization will be your home away from home just as your newfound brothers or sisters will become family For these reasons, joining our fraternal community has the potential to be one of the best decisions you will make in college.
Greek men and women have been part of the longstanding tradition at Tulane since the first fraternity was established here in 1858 Should you choose to become a member of one of our organizations, you will be able to follow in the footsteps of the countless accomplished Greeks who came before you. Our community was founded on the values of friendship, leadership, scholarship, service and philanthropy, and social responsibility. Our members strive to live out these values each and every day
Your time spent at Tulane University will be among the best years of your life, and we hope that this guide will provide you with a small glimpse into all the ways that Greek life can enhance your experience. We wish you the very best of luck on your college journey and look forward to meeting you in the fall!
Community at a Glance
Fraternity and Sorority Programs at Tulane University totals over 3,100 members, close to 37% of the overall student body Today, our community boasts 25 organizations, 16 campus-adjacent facilities, and three councils
Each of our organizations have their own rituals, traditions, and philanthropies, but they all strive to live by the five core values of friendship, leadership, scholarship, service and philanthropy, and social responsibility.
Looking for more information?
Learn more about community statistics, programs, and more at https://greek tulane edu/
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Programs
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Programs at Tulane works with the fraternities and sororities on campus to promote the values of friendship, leadership, scholarship, service and philanthropy, and social responsibility. The office staff collaborates and advises 25 campus fraternities and sororities with the goal of enhancing personal and leadership development, partnering with stake holders to create a community of safety and accountability, and providing guidance and mentorship for the strategic growth of the community
Scholarship
Fraternity and sorority members at Tulane have consistently achieved higher grade point averages and graduate at a significantly higher rate than non-Greek students. Individual chapters and the councils have scholarship chairs and academic programming to help members succeed in the classroom. Chapters encourage members to utilize available resources, such as one-on-one, drop-in, and online peer tutoring.
Statistics for the Spring 2023 Semester
• All-Sorority GPA: 3 436 vs All-Female GPA: 3 458
• All-Fraternity GPA: 3.246 vs. All Male GPA: 3.222
• All-FSP GPA: 3.461 vs. All Undergraduate GPA: 3.368
• 478 Students in fraternities and sororities had a 4 0 GPA
Leadership
Joining a fraternity or sorority is about more than just the social opportunities and relationships. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Programs also hosts different events throughout the year to encourage members to focus on their own personal, professional and leadership development. Leadership programs include:
New Member Orientation
This mandatory half-day experience aims to help newly initiated members learn more about our overall fraternal community and the importance of Greek leadership and hard reduction through learning about topics like bystander intervention, consent, sisterhood/brotherhood, equity, and inclusion.
Leadership Retreat
Our opportunities are free to members of our fraternities and sororities, and new initiatives are always being developed. As a result of participating in our programs, students are:
• More knowledgeable about on-campus resources;
• More self-aware of their own identities;
• Feel more prepared to take on a leadership position or excel in a position they currently hold;
• Feel more confident in their ability to manage peer-to-peer accountability efforts;
• And develop other essential soft-skills that help prepare them for professional aspirations.
Looking for ways to get involved within the fraternity and sorority community? Check out these opportunities:
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Interfraternity Council
National Pan-Hellenic Council
Panhellenic Council
Greek Ambassadors
Educational Workshops
Service & Philanthropy
Members are encouraged to give back to the Tulane and greater New Orleans communities through service initiatives, which may be organized by the office, the governing council, and individual chapters. Our chapters support a variety of causes including: breast cancer awareness and research, sexual assault prevention and awareness, local food banks, women’s empowerment issues, access to education, juvenile diabetes research, safe and affordable housing, the local children’s hospital, and so much more Fraternity and sorority members have the opportunity to participate in:
Love The Boot
Love the Boot is our annual event led by Keep Louisiana Beautiful where fraternities and sororities work in teams to conduct a litter survey and sweep alongside Calhoun, Freret, and Broadway Streets
Greek Groove is our annual week-long fundraiser culminating in a dance competition between the fraternities and sororities on campus This year we donated $41,443 22 to the New Orleans Family Justice Center
Chapter/Council Opportunities
Every chapter and governing council also plans their own philanthropic events and service opportunities. Philanthropy events have included sporting tournaments, performance-based competitions, food sales, and car washes. Service opportunities include roadside cleanup, reading to children at a local elementary school, helping residents at a local assisted-living facility, volunteering at a local 5k or festival, and volunteering at local nonprofit events.
Giving Back to the Community
• 4,525 Community Service Hours
• 125,000+ Philanthropy Dollars
• 2,532 In-Kind Donations
Greek Groove
Social Responsibility
Joining a fraternity or sorority is about more than just the social opportunities and relationships. Chapters are reminded of the importance of social responsibility and how an organization is responsible for the impacts of its decisions and activities on society and the greater community. OFSP has a Social Event Training and resources designed to help members develop this skill
Friendship
Most students seek Greek affiliation as a way to meet people and develop lifelong friendships. Through brotherhood and sisterhood retreats, social events, and a variety of other chapter activities, students are able to build a close network of brothers and sisters to share in their collegiate experience All organizations host regular, substance-free brotherhood and sisterhood events each semester Some examples include movie nights, laser tag, athletic events, and more!
Fraternities and sororities look forward to their signature social events each year, which include band parties, formals, semi-formals, themed date parties, and of course Mardi Gras!
Councils Interfraternity Council
The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) is the umbrella group for 56 organizations. The local Tulane Interfraternity Council (IFC), hosts bi-weekly meetings with chapter presidents to create events, discuss current issues, and support recruitment efforts for its 12 member organizations. On an annual basis, IFC assists with a series of educational and leadership events, regulate member organizations, and lead the community in advocating for positive change IFC also supports all philanthropic events hosted within the community throughout the year
The executive board is made up of nine elected positions that include President, Executive Vice President, Director of Recruitment & Retention, Assistant Director of Recruitment & Retention, Director of Communication & Marketing, Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Director of Member Development, Director of Health Initiatives, and Assistant Director of Health Initiatives.
National Pan-Hellenic Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is the coordinating council for the five historically African American Greekletter fraternities and sororities at Tulane The purpose of the National Pan-Hellenic Council is to foster cooperative actions of its members in dealing with matters of mutual concern
To this end, NPHC promotes the well-being of its member organizations and provides leadership development for its constituents. NPHC holds bi-weekly meetings with its executive board of four officers and a delegate from each organization to collaborate and discuss issues that impact NPHC and Tulane. NPHC at Tulane serves as the communication link between its member organizations, university administrators, other Greek governing councils, and the student body at-large. NPHC is committed to upholding the core values of scholarship, leadership, friendship, and service by developing, implementing, and supporting impactful and engaging programming designed to meet the needs of students on Tulane’s campus and the greater New Orleans area
Panhellenic Council
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is the umbrella group for 26 organizations, 9 of which have chapters on Tulane’s campus. The purpose of NPC is to be the “premier advocacy and support organization for the advancement of the sorority experience.” At Tulane, the Panhellenic Council (PHC) is the subset campus organization that supports the Panhellenic chapters on campus. The Panhellenic Council has elected executive members to act as liaisons between the university and chapter members to create legislation, support recruitment of members, promote academic excellence, create educational programming, and more The council meets bi-weekly with one representative from each Panhellenic chapter to collaborate and have open discussion about current issues
The Panhellenic Council executive board is made up of women from different chapters who disassociate to promote the ideals of scholarship, leadership, friendship, and service The eight executive positions include President, President-Elect, Vice President Administration, Vice President Diversity & Inclusion, Vice President Philanthropy, Vice President Programming, Vice President Public Relations, Vice President Recruitment, Recruitment Assistant, and Vice President Scholarship
FinancialObligations
Costs can vary greatly by chapter, but it is important to educate yourself on the cost to join a group before you commit, as most groups require a commitment of at least one full semester once you accept a bid. The recruitment and intake processes offer a great opportunity to ask questions about financial obligations.
Dues go toward (Inter)National fees, chapter operating costs, and social functions. New members should expect to pay higher dues their first semester due to initiation fees. There also may be additional costs throughout the year for event photos, extra t-shirts, and other fees.
In addition, all members of the fraternity and sorority community pay a Greek activity fee
Some include a $1,000 - $2,500 one-time fee in the first semester
Plus $15 Greek Fee
Panhellenic Sororities
• $650–$800 per semester
• Plus $200–$400 one-time fee in the first semester
• Plus $20 Greek Fee
A financial commitment is part of joining a fraternity or sorority. In order to operate, chapters charge membership dues once a semester Members with facilities may require members to live in the house after they have fulfilled their on-campus live-on requirement Additionally, chapters with houses may have a meal plan for members starting the semester they join the organization and lasting the duration of a students’ membership
How to Join Recruitment & Intake Processes
Three different membership recruitment processes exist for fraternities and sororities to take in new members. Each process will be explained in detail in the following pages. Please note that all organizations have a cost associated with membership. To learn more about these costs, please see page 9.
The Tulane University Fraternity & Sorority Community participates in deferred recruitment, meaning entering first-time first semester freshmen may not join fraternities and sororities. Deferred recruitment allows students the opportunity to adjust to academic life at Tulane before taking on the additional time commitment of a Greek organization.
Eligibility Requirements
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be full-time, degree-seeking Tulane students have earned 12 hours with a minimum 2 5 cumulative grade point average in those hours
• For students whose first semester of enrollment at Tulane will be Spring 2024, at least 6 of those 12 hours must be from graded, college-level courses accepted for credit by Newcomb-Tulane College.
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be in good standing with Tulane For the purposes of recruitment and intake, good standing is defined as not having received a Student Conduct sanction of Disciplinary Probation or Deferred Suspension and not being placed on Honor Board Probation for academic misconduct.
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not have been found responsible for a drug possession violation successfully complete all (5) components of our Potential New Member Education Series by December 8th.
The fraternities that are members of the North American Interfraternity Conference participate in IFC Recruitment, which gives men a chance to get a feel for fraternity life See page 11 for more information
MGC & NPHC Membership Intake
• The fraternities and sororities of the Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council participate in membership intake, which is organized by the individual chapters See page 13 for more information
Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment
The sororities that are members of the National Panhellenic Conference participate in Primary Recruitment, which gives potential new members a chance to visit with each chapter and follows a structured schedule of events See page 14 for more information
Interfraternity Council (IFC) Recruitment
Recruitment for the Interfraternity Council (IFC) is a semi-structured process Students interested in joining an IFC fraternity should make every effort to introduce themselves to each chapter and develop a connection with chapter members To assist in this process, IFC hosts a variety of events that allow recognized fraternities and potential new members (PNMs) to meet. It is important that interested students attend events for each fraternity to determine which fraternity is the best match. Even students who aren’t sure if they’d like to join an IFC fraternity should attend recruitment events to learn more and make an educated decision
During the fall semester, IFC will be conducting a semi-structured recruitment process consisting of information sessions, council-sponsored events, and chapter events
Quad Days are open events to anyone interested in IFC to meet chapters in a casual way IFC Executive Board members will have a table set up so they can provide more general information about recruitment.
Fall “Open Houses” are sponsored by the IFC and allow PNMs to meet active members of each organization. PNMs will have the opportunity to visit chapter facilities/approved locations on designated days IFC’s Instagram will have a full list of facilities/locations for all Open Houses
Convocation is the kick-off to the Spring recruitment process which will take place on January 20th.
FALL 2023 MEET & GREETS
September 13 October 11
October 25
November 1
November 15
SPRING 2023
January 20–21
January 22–23
January 24–25
2–3 Chapters will host an open house per night Each Chapter will be required to host at least one event during the week
Bid Day: January 26
Interfraternity Chapters
Alpha Epsilon Pi
National Founding: 1913
Local Founding: 1951
Instagram: @tulaneaepi
National Website: aepi.org
Colors: Blue and Gold
Beta Theta Pi
(coming Fall 2023)
National Founding: 1839
Local Founding: 1908 / 2023
Instagram: @beta tulane
National Website: beta org
Colors: Light Blue and Light Pink
Delta Tau Delta
National Founding: 1851
Local Founding: 1889
Instagram: @tulanedelts
National Website: delts.org
Colors: Purple and Gold
Kappa Alpha
National Founding: 1865
Local Founding: 1882 / 2002
Instagram: @tulane ka
National Website: kappaalpha org
Colors: Crimson and Old Gold
Kappa Sigma
National Founding: 1869
Local Founding: 1889 / 2021
Instagram: @kappasigtulane
National Website: kappasigma.org
Colors: Scarlet, White, and Emerald Green
Phi Delta Theta
National Founding: 1848
Local Founding: 1889 / 2022
Instagram: @phidelt tulane
National Website: phideltatheta.org
Colors: Azure Blue and Argent White
Phi Gamma Delta
National Founding: 1848
Local Founding: 1980 / 2006
Instagram: @tulane fiji
National Website: phigam org
Colors: Royal Purple
Phi Kappa Sigma
National Founding: 1850
Local Founding: 1858
Instagram: @tulanephikap
National Website: pks org
Colors: Black and Old Gold
Sigma Alpha Epsilon
National Founding: 1856
Local Founding: 1897
Instagram: @tulanesae
National Website: sae.net
Colors: Purple and Gold
Sigma Chi
National Founding: 1855
Local Founding: 1886
Instagram: @sigmachitulane
National Website: sigmachi org
Colors: Blue and Gold
National Founding: 1898
Local Founding: 1909 / 2013
Instagram: @zbt tulane
National Website: zbt.org
Colors: Medium Blue, White, and Gold
National Founding: 1847
Local Founding: 1977
Instagram: @zetapsitulane
National Website: zetapsi org
Colors: White, Gold, and Black
Zeta Psi
Zeta Beta Tau
MGC & NPHC Membership Intake
Membership intake is the process by which our Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters select, educate, and initiate new members. The organizations determine which semester intake will occur, and some organizations will not complete an intake process for both the fall and spring semesters of the same academic year There is no council-coordinated intake period
Panhellenic Recruitment is a four-round mutual selection process that takes place in the spring semester During recruitment potential members meet all sororities and make daily selections about which groups they hope to visit again. Likewise, after each round the sororities extend invitations to the potential members they are most interested in. Potential New Members are expected to move in before the general student body.
*We strongly recommend making refundable airline reservations in case a students’ final fall academic record makes them ineligible to participate; those who are ineligible will not be able to move into their residence halls.
Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is an informal recruitment process that Panhellenic hosts outside of the formal recruitment period. While all 9 Panhellenic Organizations participate in Formal Recruitment, not all 9 organizations will participate in COB. COB begins on the Second Day of classes in the fall semester and after Bid Day in the spring semester
SPRING 2024 IMPORTANT DATES
January 4
Academic Issues Affecting Eligibility Must Be Reconciled
January 8
Potential New Member Move-in
January 8
Recruitment Kickoff
January 9
Open House Round - Day 1
January 10
Open House Round - Day 2
January 11
Philanthropy Round
January 12
Sisterhood Round
January 13
Preference Round
Bid Day: January 14
Panhellenic Chapters
National Founding: 1851
Local Founding: 1906 / 2013
Instagram: @tulaneadpi
National Website: alphadeltapi.org Colors: Azure and White
National Founding: 1909
Local Founding: 1916
Instagram: @aephitulane
National Website: aephi org
Colors: Green and White
National Founding: 1895
Local Founding: 1889
Instagram: @tulanechiomega
National Website: chiomega.com
Colors: Cardinal and Straw
National Founding: 1888
Local Founding: 2019
Instagram: @tulanetridelta
National Website: tridelta.org
Colors: Silver, Gold, and Cerulean Blue
National Founding: 1870
Local Founding: 1914
Instagram: @tulanetheta
National Website: kappaalphatheta org Colors: Black and Gold
National Founding: 1870
Local Founding: 1904
Instagram: @tulanekkg
National Website: kappakappagamma org
Colors: Dark Blue and Light Blue
National Founding: 1852
Local Founding: 1906/2009
Instagram: @phimutulane
National Website: phimu.org
Colors: Rose and White
National Founding: 1867
Local Founding: 1891
Instagram: @tulanepiphi
National Website: pibetaphi org
Colors: Wine and Silver Blue
National Founding: 1917
Local Founding: 1955
Instagram: @tulanesdt
National Website: sigmadeltatau.org
Colors: Café au Lait and Old Blue
Chi Omega
Alpha Delta Pi
Alpha Epsilon Phi
Delta Delta Delta
Kappa Alpha Theta
Kappa Kappa Gamma
Phi Mu Pi Beta Phi
Sigma Delta Tau
Tulane University is fortunate to have some of the unique New Orleans culture within their off-campus fraternity and sorority houses. All firstyear and second-year students at Tulane University are expected to live in residence halls for the duration of the contract they will sign this summer for both fall and spring semesters This means that students will be responsible for the full cost of their University Housing contracts for the fall and spring semesters No exceptions will be made for students who wish to move from a residence hall to a Greek facility. Some IFC Chapters do offer a Tulane Fraternity dining plan which members may be a part of after accepting a bid.
Membership Expectations
Expectations of membership vary between chapters. Typically, chapters have requirements based on categories listed below. These are great things to ask about during the recruitment/intake process as they are not only considered prior to joining a chapter but are requirements throughout membership.
Maintain a minimum GPA
Attend chapter meetings and events
Be involved in other organizations on campus
Complete service hours
Support the organization’s philanthropy efforts
Be involved with committees within the chapter Maintain financial good standing
Uphold the values of the organization
Hazing Policy & Organizational Conduct
Tulane University Hazing Policy
Hazing includes, but is not limited to, acts of servitude and/or behavior that humiliates, degrades, embarrasses, harasses, or ridicules an individual, or otherwise is harmful or potentially harmful to an individual’s physical, emotional, or psychological well-being, as an actual or apparent condition for initial or continued affiliation with any group A student or organization violates this standard regardless of either the lack of intent to cause harm or the hazed individual’s own willingness to participate. Unless affirmative steps were taken by the responding student or organization to prevent the hazing behavior, conduct charges may be brought against the group, officers of the group, and members of the group who are deemed to have encouraged, witnessed, or knew about the behavior, in addition to any conduct action against persons who engaged in the hazing behavior itself.
Tulane’s full policy can be found here
Hazing Penalties
Any student or organization found responsible for hazing that meets Louisiana statutory definition of hazing will, at a minimum, be suspended from the university, and may face imprisonment up to 5 years and/or fines up to $10,000 Hazing is defined by the state of Louisiana as follows:
Hazing means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act by a person acting alone or acting with others that is directed against another when both of the following apply:
The person knew or should have known that such an act endangers the physical health or safety of the other person or causes severe emotional distress.
The act was associated with pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, participating in, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization
Reporting Hazing
You may file a report anonymously, but it is important to know that doing so may make it difficult for the appropriate office to effectively follow-up on the information provided in the report.
Click here for the Online Concern Report Form
Provide supporting documentation, when available. This may include such things as e-mails, photographs, audio or video recordings, text messages, social media screen shots, etc
Paint as complete a picture as possible, but avoid reporting conjecture, hearsay, rumors without supporting information, etc
Include specific details to show us why you feel that somebody’s actions are weird, alarming, threatening, etc
• body language / postures
• tone / volume of voice
• personal space invasions
• language used
• focus of attention
• method of communication
• information about the location, layout, or physical environment that is appropriate
Forms should be filled out with complete, accurate and specific information when known. Please know that reporting anonymously, or with incomplete or inaccurate information, may impair or delay the University’s ability to take the appropriate action needed
Harm Reduction Education
The fraternity and sorority community is committed to members having a safe, fun and memorable Greek experience Our community education focuses on harm reduction topics including: bystander intervention, event management, hazing, mental health, sexual assault and interpersonal violence, and substance abuse
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Programs partners with several other offices on campus to provide education to the community Additional educational opportunities include an online anti-hazing module for all incoming members of our community, reviewing social events for the best risk management practices, organizational concern investigations, and a parent informational video about new member education available on our website.
Suspended Organizations as of July 2023
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Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike)
Sigma Phi Epsilon (SigEp)
Unrecognized Organizations as of July 2023
828
Delta Kappa Epsilon (DKE)
Sigma Alpha Mu (Sammy)
*Unrecognized Organizations operate without the oversight, training, and education provided by staff in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Programs nor by any national organization.
Frequently Used Greek Terms It’s All Greek to Me!
Active: A fully initiated member of a fraternity/sorority
Advisor: An alumnus member who serves as a resource for the active chapter and liaison between the alumni and collegians.
Alumni: Members of a fraternity who have graduated (Singular is alumnus )
Alumnae: Members of a sorority who have graduated (Singular is alumna )
Aspirant: A prospective member of an NPHC fraternity or sorority Candidate may also be used
Badge/Pin: An item of jewelry given to members upon initiation The badge is to be worn at all official functions The badge must be worn with business-like attire, usually over the heart and above all other pins.
Bid: An invitation to join a fraternity or sorority They are given out on Bid Day during formal recruitment
Bid Day: The last day of recruitment where potential new members receive formal invitations to join a fraternity or sorority
Call: A yell used mostly by NPHC Used to identify and greet brothers and sisters. Non-members are not permitted to use the call.
Chapter/Entity: A branch of a national sorority or fraternity, established at a campus Each will have its own name, usually designated by Greek letters
Collegian/Collegiate: An initiated member of a fraternity or sorority currently in college Formerly known as active
Colony: A new organization that is awaiting official recognition from its national office to have a chapter at a campus.
Expansion/Extension: When an organization is looking to expand and open a new chapter at a school
Founders Day: An event celebrated by fraternities and sororities to highlight the founding of their organization and celebrate its history. It’s not necessarily held on the day the organization was founded.
Informational: A forum for individuals interested in seeking more information about joining a particular NPHC fraternity or sororit y.
Initiate: A person who has recently learned the ritual of a fraternity or sorority and is a full member.
Initiation: A ceremony where a new member becomes a full member of the organization Initiation ceremonies are private and different for all organizations
Intake: Term for the process by which MGC and NPHC members select and educate new members of the organization
Interest Group: A group of individuals on campus in the first stage of the process leading to installation as a chapter of a Greekletter organization
Legacy: The son, daughter, brother, or sister of an initiated or alumnus/ alumna member. Some organizations also include grandchildren, stepchildren, or other family members
Line: The new member class of MGC and NPHC organizations that are often named
Multicultural Greek Council: The governing board for culturally based Greek-letter fraternities and sororities at the Tulane University
Neophyte: New member of an NPHC organization. Also called a neo.
New Member: A person who has accepted a bid but is not yet initiated to a sorority or fraternity.
National Panhellenic Conference:
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is the organization that governs 26 national women’s sororities
National Pan-Hellenic Council:
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), the coordinating body of the nine traditionally AfricanAmerican fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine
North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC):
A national organization comprised of 69 men’s fraternal organizations, each of which is autonomous as a social, Greek-letter society of college men
Philanthropy: A charitable service project held by a fraternity, sorority, or both Tulane Greek students perform a number of these projects each year, and most inter/national fraternities and sororities require their chapters to do one large project per year.
Pledge: A person who has accepted a bid but is not yet initiated to a sorority or fraternity This term is believed to be outdated by some
and can be offensive. See also “New Member ”
Potential New Member: A
person who is interested in joining a Greek-letter organization and will participate in IFC or Panhellenic recruitment; often abbreviated to PNM
Preference: The final events held by Panhellenic Council organizations during Formal Recruitment. These events are more formal than the previous events and usually include a ritual that potential new members can participate in Also known as Pref
Quota: A specific number of women to which each Panhellenic Council sorority may extend membership during a formal (spring) recruitment period. This number is determined by the Panhellenic Council each year in conjunction with the National Panhellenic Conference
Recolonize: A process where a fraternity or a sorority that was previously on campus revives its charter to recruit members on the same campus.
Recruitment: The process through which Panhellenic sororities and IFC fraternities get new members. Potential New Members visit each organization, are invited to different events, and meet members of each organization
Ritual: The traditional rites and ceremonies of a fraternity or sorority; these are almost always private and known only to initiated members of a fraternal organization.
Sister or Soror: A term used by members of women's fraternities or sororities when referring to one another. NPC organization members generally use “sister, while NPHC organization members commonly use “soror.”
Total: The maximum number of members a Panhellenic Council sorority may have on a given campus. At Tulane total is reset to the average chapter size each semester.
For Families
Families play a large role in a student’s college career and in their decision to join a fraternity or sorority. Whether or not your family has a history of fraternity and sorority involvement, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Programs is here to help you along the way. We greatly value the role that families play in the lives of their students and look to you as an ally in making every fraternity and sorority experience the best that it can be.
Frequently Asked Questions By Families
What are the financial obligations of joining?
Costs to be a member of a fraternity or sorority can vary greatly by chapter, but it is important to know ahead of time that there will be some costs associated. The dues go toward (inter)national fees, chapter operating costs, and social functions. New members should expect to pay higher dues their first semester due to initiation fees This is an expectation of membership
Who runs the fraternities and sororities?
Students elect their own officers to manage the day-today operations of the organization. These officers are assisted by chapter members serving on committees and alumni who serve as advisors to the officers and general chapter members Chapter facilities are owned by a house corporation that oversees the facility’s management and operations Each chapter is governed by its (inter)national headquarters and governing
council on campus Additionally, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Programs staff supports and advises the governing councils, chapter officers, and chapter advisors.
What is the time commitment of membership?
The time commitment generally varies from chapter to chapter and from member to member, but you can expect your student to invest more time in their fraternity or sorority during the first semester as they go through the new member education program. New member education focuses on learning the history and facts about the organization, developing leadership and time management skills, and spending time getting to know their brothers or sisters Although it can be time intensive, it should not interfere with academic commitments. If you have concerns about the time your student is putting into their chapter, do not hesitate to contact our office.
