Questions About Greek Life?

When Can I Join a Fraternity or Sorority?
  • To be eligible, you must be currently enrolled as a student at East Central University. Interfraternity Council (IFC)
  • Recruitment takes place at the beginning of the Fall or Spring semester.
Panhellenic Council
  • Formal Recruitment – Beginning of the Fall semester
  • Informal Recruitment – Beginning of the Spring semester (not all chapters participate)
Time Commitment
  • Being a member of a fraternity or sorority is a significant time commitment
  • roughly equivalent to adding another 3-credit class to your schedule.
Accountability

While self-governing, each chapter is accountable to:

  • Their inter/national organization
  • Their governing council
  • East Central University through the Office of Campus Involvement

In addition, each chapter maintains its own internal judicial system to hold members accountable for their actions.

Finding Specific Chapter Information

For a basic overview of each chapter and links to their national websites, click here.

University Stance on Hazing

ECU is committed to providing a safe environment where students can participate without compromising their health, safety, or welfare.
For more information, review the ECU Student Handbook and Code of Conduct.

Greek Life Glossary
  • Active – A member who has been initiated into lifelong fraternity or sorority membership and is active at the collegiate level.
  • Alumni/ae – Initiated members who have graduated.
  • Bid – A formal invitation to join a specific fraternity or sorority.
  • Big Brother/Big Sister – An active member who mentors a new member.
  • Chapter – The local group of a larger national organization, identified by Greek letters.
  • Continuous Open Recruitment – Informal recruitment after Formal Panhellenic Recruitment.
  • Formal Panhellenic Recruitment – Series of events introducing sorority life, scheduled by the Panhellenic Council.
  • IFC Recruitment – A week-long period for fraternities and potential members to meet.
  • Initiation – The formal ceremony granting active membership.
  • Interfraternity Council (IFC) – Governing body for 4 social fraternities at ECU.
  • International/National Headquarters – Central office of a fraternity or sorority.
  • Legacy – A prospective member with a family member who is/was in the organization.
  • New Member – A student in the new member education process.
  • New Member Educator/Membership Intake Coordinator – Facilitates and monitors the new member program.
  • New Member Education Program – Educational period to learn an organization’s history, values, and traditions (max 10 weeks).
  • Order of Omega – Leadership and academic honor society for Greek members.
  • Panhellenic Council – Governing body for ECU’s 3 National Panhellenic Conference sororities.
  • Philanthropy – A charitable fundraiser or event hosted by a chapter.
  • Potential New Member (PNM) – A student participating in recruitment.
  • Recruitment/Rush Chair – Chapter member who leads recruitment efforts.
  • Recruitment Counselor (Rho Chi) – Disassociated sorority member who guides PNMs during Formal Recruitment.
  • Social – A planned gathering with another chapter.