FAQs

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE 4 COUNCILS?

There are four governing councils that oversee the 47 sororities and fraternities at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. These governing bodies promote the well-being and interests of their chapters through accountability, programming, and advocacy.

• Interfraternity Council (IFC) represents 21 international men’s fraternities.

• Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) oversees six culturally or ethnically based sororities (3) and fraternities (3).

• National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is composed of nine historically black sororities (4) and fraternities (5). Also known as the “Divine 9,” Tennessee is home to seven active NPHC organizations.

• Panhellenic Council (Panhellenic) includes 13 international women’s sororities and organizations.

CAN A STUDENT ONLY JOIN IN THE FALL?

Students join our community year-round! Whether you are a first-semester student, transfer student, or upperclassmen, membership in a sorority or fraternity is not limited to a specific year or semester. Not all chapters will take classes of new members each semester, so seeking information on social media, the Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life, or current members will better prepare you for joining at your own time.

Chapters will typically take at least one new class per academic year, but common recruitment and intake periods will take place at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. The IFC promotes 365 recruitment, where chapters can continuously recruit new members throughout the year.

DO WE NEED LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION?

Letters of recommendation are extra credit when it comes to joining a Panhellenic organization. They are not required, and, while some organizations don’t accept them at all, each organization has their own policies around who can write them, where they should be submitted, and how they should be submitted. Contact the organization, ask the Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life, or check out the organization’s national website for more information. Letters of recommendation are not needed for IFC recruitment. Some NPHC or MGC organizations may require a letter of recommendation, but interested students can find that information during their interest or informational meetings.

HOW DOES SOMEONE MOVE IN EARLY FOR RECRUITMENT?

Two of the four councils host recruitment before the semester begins, IFC and Panhellenic. For the Fall semester, moving into University Housing requires students to make an appointment to move in. Those that are reg- istered for Panhellenic and IFC fall recruitment by their respective priority registration dates (check pages 21 and 27) are guaranteed an early move-in appointment leading into recruitment in August. Those registered after the priority registration deadline are not guaranteed early move-in appointments and may get an appointment after recruitment begins so be sure to register early! For more information about the move-in process, visit the University Housing website (housing.utk.edu) and be sure to check your UTK email regularly.

IS LIVING IN A HOUSE REQUIRED?

Each chapter is different because not all chapters have facilities. However, the chapters that do have chapter houses, most will have live-in requirements for new members or chapter officers. This is determined by the chapter, and should be something that you ask during recruitment!

There are currently 30 facilities occupied by sororities and fraternities at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Living in a chapter house provides many of the same advantages as on-campus living in the other residence buildings on campus. Houses can range in the number of occupants, as well as the number of single, double, and triple rooms. Houses are seen as the central meeting location for sisterhood/brotherhood events, recruitment, and meetings. Chapter houses can be found in Sorority Village, Fraternity Park, 20th Street, Melrose Place, or off campus on Lake Avenue or 21st Street.

WHAT ABOUT HAZING?

According to the Student Code of Conduct, Hazing is “any intentional or reckless act, on or off university-controlled property, by one student, acting alone or with others, which is directed against any other student, which endangers the mental or physical health, safety, or welfare of that student, or which induces or coerces a student to endanger their mental or physical health, safety, or welfare.” Hazing can occur regardless of one’s willingness to participate. Hazing is not tolerated by the university and is in direct violation of the Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life as well as council, chapter, and international organziation’s bylaws. Additional information identifying, acting on, preventing, and reporting hazing can be found here: hazingprevention.utk.edu

HOW CAN FAMILIES BE INVOLVED IN THE SORORITY OR FRATERNITY LIFE PROCESS?

Family members should be there to support their student while in college. One of the most important aspects to supporting your student through navigating sorority and fraternity life is empowering them. Empower them to do their research on the chapter/organization, ask questions, keep an open mind, and talk openly about what they are excited for as well as what is making them nervous. Not all families have a background in fraternal organizations, so reach out to the Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life, the chapter advisors, or the inter/national organization’s headquarters. Once your student is a member, there are many other ways to be involved such as parent’s clubs, family weekends, newsletters, and other events!