Last week, I wrote an introductory article on the four Greek councils on Florida Gulf Coast University's (FGCU) campus. The article briefly discussed information about each council; however, it may have left some readers wonder, how do I join an organization?
This week, I will discuss the recruitment/membership intake processes of the four different councils on our campus, so that students have a better understanding of how to pursue membership.
Panhellenic Association
The Panhellenic Association at FGCU participates in a formal recruitment process. The council's website defines this process as, "... a mutual selection process that balances the preferences of each Potential New Member with those of the sororities. Because academic excellence is one of the key characteristics of sororities, women who have GPAs below each sorority’s requirements may be released from the recruitment process. Please keep that in mind as you decide whether you should apply for the recruitment process or not. Each chapter sets their own GPA requirements, which are included on the "Chapters" website. Based on these requirements, potential new members are suggested to have a minimum of a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from high school and/or 2.75 on a 4.0 scale from college." This year formal recruitment will be held August 12 -16, 2016. For more information on how to register or for an overview of the recruitment schedule, please visit the FGCU Panhellenic Association website.
Interfraternity Council
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) at FGCU "...coordinates a "Rush Week" where men interested in joining a chapter have an opportunity to preview each organization. Chapters offer “bids,” or invitations to join, at any time before, during, and after "Rush Week." IFC coordinates Rush Week in the fall and spring. To learn more about IFC's recruitment process, please visit their website.
National Pan-Hellenic Council
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) at FGCU, also known as the Divine Nine, does not participate in formal recruitment or a group recruitment process. The member organizations of the Divine Nine host individual membership intake processes specific to their organizations. "Chapters choose the time when they will take new members. This process, known as intake, generally begins with an interest meeting followed by a period of membership education. The membership process culminates with initiation and a probate, or "coming-out" show in which the organization's new members are revealed to the community." If interested in joining a Divine Nine organization at FGCU, you should research the council and it's various organization, attend council and chapter events, make your presence known, be prepared, and then attend an informational. For more information about joining a NPHC organization visit the council's website or the individual websites of the organizations.
Multicultural Greek Council
The Multicultural Greek Council's (MGC) organizations at FGCU open membership to qualified students in either the fall or spring semester. The council does not have a group or formal recruitment process. Individual organizations of the council are responsible for hosting their own membership intake processes.
"In order to find out more about how to join one of our Multicultural Greek Organizations we recommend visiting their websites to learn more about them, and to attend one of their informationals, which are typically held at least once a semester and widely publicized." For more information visit the council's website.
I hope this was very beneficial and I look forward to seeing our Greek community expand.
