Fraternity Questions and Answers
Q: What is the difference between IFC fraternity recruitment and the NPHC fraternity membership intake process?
A: Recruitment is the process IFC fraternities use to obtain new members. It is different from the membership intake process conducted by NPHC fraternities.
IFC recruitment occurs at the same time for all IFC groups. If you’re interested in participating in IFC recruitment, you’ll want to attend orientation before it begins. At orientation, you can learn about each of IFC fraternity. You will also receive a map for informal house visits and a bid card. During the informal house visits you will have the opportunity to meet members of each fraternity on campus. Before joining a fraternity, you must visit each of them and receive a stamp to show you visited the house and met members from each group.
NPHC membership intake varies between NPHC chapters, as each chapter completes its own intake process with its own requirements. Before you can participate in the intake process you’ll need to complete a certain number of credit hours. The requirements for hours and other criteria vary from chapter to chapter. Once you arrive on campus, watch for campus flyers advertising informational meetings. These will signal the start of each chapter’s intake process. You may also contact the Greek Life office for intake dates and information related to specific chapters.
Q: Fraternities are only for the athletic, most popular, rich guys who want to pay for their friends, right?
A: That stereotype is WAY OFF BASE! Fraternities provide an outlet for university involvement, community service, personal development and a support system that will follow you throughout your life! Members are made up of men from a variety of backgrounds – in fact, that’s a major benefit of joining! Fraternities are united by their motivation for involvement and desire to positively impact the community.
Q: What about the other stereotypes…the partying, the hazing?
A: While we can guarantee you will have fun and meet lots of people, we always promote a healthy lifestyle. Each fraternity implements and enforces a code of standards, intended to encourage members to make good decisions, along with a series of educational programs. In addition, UCO is firmly against hazing in any form, therefore any violators are punished accordingly. The mission of our Greek System is to enhance and supports members’ lives. A copy of our formal anti-hazing policy is available in the Greek Life office.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: During IFC recruitment and the NPHC membership intake process, you will learn of the costs involved with being a fraternity member. Averages can be misleading, since many groups request payments at different times have varying fees to cover a variety of costs. Typically, the first semester will be the most expensive because of pledge, initiation and badge fees, but these are all one time costs. For an advance copy of the costs, contact the Greek Life office at (405) 974-2580 or greeklife@ucok.edu.
Q: What about grades? Is there a GPA requirement?
A: Scholarship is the primary reason why we are all at UCO! Each group sets their own scholastic standard for membership. Any man who is enrolled at UCO as a full or part-time student (at least 6 hours) can participate in IFC recruitment. For the class credit hour requirement to participate in the NPHC membership intake process, please contact the Greek Life office at (405) 974-2580 or greeklife@ucok.edu. In Fall 2006, the overall fraternity grade point average was a 2.88.
Still have questions? – Contact the Greek Life office at (405) 974-2580 or greeklife@ucok.edu.