The Current 2023-2024

Social Responsibility

Friendship

Councils

Financial Obligations

How to Join

Interfraternity Council Fraternity Recruitment

Interfraternity Council Chapters

NPHC Membership Intake

National Pan-Hellenic Council Chapters

Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment

Panhellenic Council Chapters

Fraternity & Sorority Housing

Membership Expectations

Hazing Policy And Reporting

Harm Reduction

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!

Find Your Wave!

Nelda Bailey Director, Office of Fraternity and

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:

• 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

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

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.

Financial Obligations

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.

Interfraternity Council Fraternities

• $600–$1,500 per semester

• Plus $25 Greek Fee without a chapter facility

• Plus $45 Greek Fee with a chapter facility

Multicultural and National Pan-Hellenic Council Fraternities and Sororities

• $50–$150 per semester

• Some include a $750 - $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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

1. Alcohol Education: My Choices, Our Legacy

2. Equity, Diversity & Inclusion: EverFi Training

3. Hazing Prevention: Tulane Hazing Prevention Module

4. Sexual Violence Prevention: Sexual Literacy

5. Small Group Session with Greek Ambassadors Interfraternity Council Recruitment

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.

September 13 | Open House

October 11 | Open House

October 25 | Quad Day

November 1 | Open House

November 15 | Quad Day

SPRING 2023

IFC Sponsored Events: January 20–21

Open Houses: January 22–23

2–3 Chapters will host an open house per night

Chapter Events: January 24–25

Each Chapter will be required to host at least one event during the week.

Bid Day: January 26

FALL 2023 MEET & GREETS

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

Zeta Beta Tau

National Founding: 1898

Local Founding: 1909 / 2013

Instagram: @zbt_tulane

National Website: zbt.org

Colors: Medium Blue, White, and Gold

Zeta Psi

National Founding: 1847

Local Founding: 1977

Instagram: @zetapsitulane

National Website: zetapsi.org

Colors: White, Gold, and Black

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.

NPHC Chapters

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

National Founding: 1906

Local Founding: 1989

Instagram: @rhoiotaalphas

National Website: apa1906.net

Colors: Black and Old Gold

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

National Founding: 1908

Local Founding: 1990

Instagram: @omicronpsi08

National Website: aka1908.com

Colors: Salmon Pink & Apple Green

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

National Founding: 1913

Local Founding: 1977

Instagram: @numu_dst

National Website: deltasigmatheta.org

Colors: Crimson and Cream

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

National Founding: 1920

Local Founding: 1993

Instagram: @iotaomicronzetas

National Website: zphib1920.org

Colors: Royal Blue and Pure White

Eligibility Requirements

• Interest Meeting/Informational/Formal Rush

• Interview/Selections

• Educational Lessons

• Induction/Initiation

• New Member Presentation

Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment

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

Alpha Delta Pi

National Founding: 1851

Local Founding: 1906 / 2013

Instagram: @tulaneadpi

National Website: alphadeltapi.org

Colors: Azure and White

Alpha Epsilon Phi

National Founding: 1909

Local Founding: 1916

Instagram: @aephitulane

National Website: aephi.org

Colors: Green and White

Chi Omega

National Founding: 1895

Local Founding: 1889

Instagram: @tulanechiomega

National Website: chiomega.com

Colors: Cardinal and Straw

Delta Delta Delta

National Founding: 1888

Local Founding: 2019

Instagram: @tulanetridelta

National Website: tridelta.org

Colors: Silver, Gold, and Cerulean Blue

Kappa Alpha Theta

National Founding: 1870

Local Founding: 1914

Instagram: @tulanetheta

National Website: kappaalphatheta.org

Colors: Black and Gold

Kappa Kappa Gamma

National Founding: 1870

Local Founding: 1904

Instagram: @tulanekkg

National Website: kappakappagamma.org

Colors: Dark Blue and Light Blue

Phi Mu

National Founding: 1852

Local Founding: 1906/2009

Instagram: @phimutulane

National Website: phimu.org

Colors: Rose and White

Pi Beta Phi

National Founding: 1867

Local Founding: 1891

Instagram: @tulanepiphi

National Website: pibetaphi.org

Colors: Wine and Silver Blue

Sigma Delta Tau

National Founding: 1917

Local Founding: 1955

Instagram: @tulanesdt

National Website: sigmadeltatau.org

Colors: Café au Lait and Old Blue

Housing

Fraternity & Sorority Housing

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.

HOUSING INFO

Housing & Residence Life housing.tulane.edu

Off-Campus Housing

offcampushousing.tulane.edu

PDF Off-Campus Housing Guide

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

• 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! SYFW D

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 sorority.

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.