Fraternity Spring Recruitment will be held Wednesday, January 27, 2010 beginning at 4:30 p.m.. To register, please click here. Please continue to visit the Greek Life website for more details as they become available.

Frequently asked questions about Interfraternity Council (IFC):

What is fraternity recruitment?

Recruitment is a mutual selection process by which members of a fraternity chapter decide which men they would most like to join their fraternity. At the same time, the prospective member is deciding which fraternity most interests him.

What is the Interfraternity Council (IFC)?

The IFC is the self-governing body of all member fraternities at Louisiana State University.

Do I have to register for recruitment with the IFC?

YES, if you want to participate in the recruitment process, the earlier you register with the Interfraternity Council the better. Please click the link above to sign up.

How do I decide what chapter to join?

Each person looks for different attributes in a fraternity. Each of our chapters focuses on one or more of the following: academics, campus involvement, leadership, athletics and/or friendship. The choice is up to you, so look carefully at all of the chapters and evaluate which one best meets your needs and interests.

Why is there a difference in cost from fraternity to fraternity?

The costs of fraternity fees vary from chapter to chapter. Chapter fees are used to help maintain the chapter house, pay yearly insurance costs, pay for national fees and services, assist with philanthropy/community service projects, assist with social and recruitment functions, go toward academic scholarships, and pay for alumni functions and newsletters. In addition, some fraternities' fees include meal plans.

Do I have to join a fraternity in the fall semester?

Although most men join fraternities in the fall, there is a spring recruitment period where many members join chapters. While not all fraternities participate in spring recruitment, numerous chapters do and there will be recruitment events sponsored by the IFC. Also some chapters participate in continuous open bidding throughout the school year, which may provide another opportunity to join.

How should a potential new member act?

Rule number one is to act like yourself. You want to know what the fraternity is like and they want to know you.

Before I join, what do I need to know?

Along with joining a fraternity comes certain responsibilities. Make sure you know all the financial obligations that are required. Furthermore, you should understand all aspects of membership that are required for initiation into the fraternity. If the fraternity does not offer this information, ask.

How can I increase my chances of getting an invitation to join?

- Look at as many fraternities as you can, and select the ones with which you feel most comfortable.

- Be positive. Do not criticize other chapters or potential new members.

- Get to know other students. Don’t necessarily count on joining the same fraternity as your friends.

- Register with the IFC as soon as possible to let the fraternities know you are interested.

- Be yourself.

What is the financial commitment when joining a fraternity?

The Greek experience is an investment in your future. The leadership skills, the academic assistance and the friendships will benefit you beyond your college days. Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial commitment. Each chapter is self-supporting through the dues paid by their members. Most chapters offer members payment plans to assist in paying for dues. Membership dues go to services that directly support the betterment of the chapter and the national organization. To assist members, chapters may offer various scholarships and grants.

How time consuming is joining a fraternity?

The amount of time involved in joining a fraternity or sorority will vary from chapter to chapter. For first year students, the semester in which you decide to become a member will be the most time intensive period for you, as this is the time that the members will go through the chapter’s education period. The time spent in this program will give you the opportunity to develop leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of the organization, develop friendships with others in their new member class, as well as the rest of the chapter, and allow you to become involved with other organizations. After initiation into the chapter, expectation will vary. Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other mandatory events (community service events, study hours and initiation) throughout the year, but they are planned well in advance. In addition to the weekly meeting, the more you put into the chapter the more you will get out of being a member!

Will my grades suffer if I join a fraternity?

The purpose of college is to achieve an education and Greek organizations are committed to their fraternity and sorority values of academic achievement. Providing an atmosphere in which each member can achieve academic self-respect and self-responsibility is of utmost importance. Many chapters assist new members in developing good study habits and time management skills, making the adjustment to college easier. Initiation into the fraternity may be dependent on that you obtain a certain GPA, this varies from chapter to chapter. The all IFC Fraternity GPA has consistently been higher than the All Male GPA at LSU. For Fall 2008, the overall Undergraduate Men’s GPA was a 2.773 and the Overall Greek Men’s GPA was a 2.904.