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Membership
How To Join
Approximately one in five Muhlenberg College students
joins a Greek-letter organization. Becoming a member of a fraternity
or sorority is an exciting journey that can complement the total college
experience. Membership is challenging, rewarding, and fun.
In order to be eligible for membership consideration, a student will
usually participate in Recruitment Week. Recruitment Week is always offered in the fall semester. However,
both the Inter-Fraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council have
the option of instituting a spring program as well.
What is Recruitment Week?
Recruitment Week is a weeklong process of mutual
selection in which the members (initiates or actives) of each sorority or fraternity
have the opportunity to meet interested independent students. Each
chapter plans a series activities designed to share aspects of the
chapter with the prospective member and for the initiates to examine
a prospective member’s potential to be a positive contributor
to the chapter. At the end of Recruitment Week, each chapter offers
a “bid” to those prospective members it feels will enhance
the organization.
What happens after I accept a bid?
When you accept a bid from
one of the organizations, you are required to complete a New
Member Release Form. The release form grants consent to the
Office of Greek Affairs to release your educational records (grades)
to the chapter for use in determining eligibility for membership in
the chapter as well as scholarship programs, advising, and chapter
averaging at any time during your membership in the chapter. It also
asks you to acknowledge that you may be required to
live in the chapter house, through the completion of your senior
year, if necessary. Finally, it verifies that you have read and
understand both the state and College policy on hazing and your
requirement to report violations to the proper authorities.
Within a day or two
of accepting a bid from one of the
chapters, you will begin the New Member Education process (NME). All
chapters have an education period for new members varying between
four and ten weeks in length depending on the organization. This is
a time to learn more about the chapter, its national origins, and
the work and contributions you will be expected to do as a
member. As a new member, you hold many of the same
rights as "active" members from the day that you accept
your bid. You also have the right to request a complete schedule of
the new member education program, in advance, so that you can better
plan your academic work and personal time.
How do I participate in Recruitment Week?
All eligible students will receive information
regarding Recruitment Week at the beginning of the
school year. Interested students will be asked to register to
participate in recruitment activities and pay a nominal recruitment
fee.
Women can register for RECRUITMENT WEEK 2009 by following this link.
If I participate in Recruitment Week, am I obligated
to join?
No. Recruitment is a process of mutual selection;
you have to want the organization as much as it wants you. If
you receive a bid, you always have the option of declining the
invitation.
Women should keep in mind however, that if they reject all bids,
they cannot accept another bid or participate in further recruitment
for the remainder of the academic year. Emotions can temporarily
cloud your thinking. Give yourself and the chapter a chance before
you reject a bid.
What if I only want to be in a certain fraternity
or sorority?
Keep an open mind and look at all the options
available to you. No one can "guarantee" you a bid
to a particular organization. Decide first if Greek life fits
your lifestyle, then explore all the chapters to see what each one
offers. If you are interested in Greek life (versus chapter life)
and keep an open mind, there is a place for you in the Greek
community.
What do chapters look for in members?
It is difficult to pinpoint what each chapter
is looking for in its new members. All chapters strive to achieve
a well-rounded and balanced group of members. Their selection
of new members should be based on an assessment of what skills,
talents, and personalities will help the group achieve that balance.
There is no cookie-cutter model or perfect member for any chapter.
The best advice is to be you and show your personality and interests.
This will help guarantee a better match.
What should I know if I am a legacy to a fraternity
or sorority?
A legacy is defined as a student whose immediate
family member is an alumnus or active member of a chapter. A legacy
is not obligated to join the same chapter as his/her family member.
The chapter is likewise not obligated to offer a bid to that student
who is a legacy. The chapters are looking for compatibility, not
a family connection.
What are the financial obligations of joining a
chapter?
An important consideration in deciding whether
or not to join a Greek organization must be whether or not you
are able to meet the financial responsibilities. Both you and
your family should be aware of the dues, fees, and other expenses.
Membership can be expensive when you first join, as there are
many one-time fees. If you have questions regarding the cost of
a chapter, please feel free to ask members. They should give you straightforward answers and allow you to talk with the
officer in charge of the finances. All sororities are required
by the Panhellenic Council to provide a financial statement of costs to new members
during Recruitment Week.
Should I pledge a chapter if I have strong religious
preferences?
Ritual is important part of each chapter. The
rituals of a chapter are what bind the members to one another and
the members who came before them. These rituals, however, may have
roots in the culture and religious backgrounds of the founding members
of the chapter. Because the organizations were founded many years
ago and religious preferences among the members over the years have
changed, allowances have been made for those who may disagree or
vary from the religious background of the rituals. If you are concerned
about the religious overtones, you may want to ask members about
the background of the founding members.
What are my obligations to the chapter house?
As a new member, you will be required to agree
to help fill the rooms in the chapter house before any member of
the chapter will be permitted to live off campus or to participate
in the Muhlenberg College housing lottery. This does not mean that
you will automatically be living in the house, but it does mean
that the needs of the chapter in fulfilling this obligation have
to come first.
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF WHEN THINKING ABOUT RECRUITMENT…
- Why do I want to “go Greek”? What do I want in a Greek organization?
- Are these qualities present
in the chapters I am looking at?
- Do the chapters stress values and interests that are important to
me?
- How will being a member of a Greek organization benefit me in the
future?
- What can I gain from membership, and what can I contribute?
- Can I afford the financial obligations of membership?
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT ASK DURING RECRUITMENT EVENTS…
- How does the chapter promote academic achievement?
- How is the chapter involved in community service and philanthropy
work?
- What are the financial obligations if I become a new member?
- What do you like best about Greek life at Muhlenberg?
- How long is the new member program, and how much time will I need
to devote to it?
- What have you gotten out of being in this organization?; What
makes it special?
- What are the rules pertaining to living in the house, and what
is the availability of housing?
- What kind of education, social,
and leadership events are planned for this year?
For a list of the eligibility requirements for membership, visit either of these pages:
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