What is Membership Intake
Membership intake is the new member orientation and initiation program used by chapters of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. This process is organized by each chapter individually, but includes selection of candidates, education about the organization, and ends with initiation and full membership in the organization.
What is Formal Recruitment
Formal recruitment is the structured recruitment process organized by Panhellenic and IFC. Panhellenic hosts formal recruitment in the Fall term only, while IFC hosts a formal recruitment at the start of both semesters. Formal Recruitment is planned by the Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils to help all of the men and women interested in joining a fraternity or sorority learn about all of the chapters of those councils.
If I don’t participate in formal recruitment, can I still join a chapter?
Yes. There is Informal Recruitment for IFC and Continuous Open Bidding (COB) for Panhellenic the remainder of the academic year. You can express your interest in COB by reaching out to the councils and chapters. NPHC and UGC organizations host recruitment and intake on their own schedules, and do not organize a formal recruitment program.
What is Continuous Open Bidding (COB)?
Even after formal recruitment is over, some chapters continue accepting member through an informal recruiting process called continuous open bidding. New members are recruited through word-of-mouth or personal recommendations. The process in much less formal, with chapters reaching out directly to invite potential candidates to social gatherings and informal events, each chapter conducts its COB process differently.
Informal Recruitment
See Continuous Open Bidding.
Do I have to identify as a student of color to join a culturally-based fraternity or sorority?
No. Chapters within the National Pan-Hellenic Council are open to students of all ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.
NPHC organizations were founded by African Americans for the purpose of providing students of color with an opportunity to find support systems and encouragement in higher education. Membership in these organizations is now open to students of any background, but still include an inter/national focus on initiatives that benefit minority and African American communities.
