How to Join a Fraternity or Sorority

So, you’ve decided that you want to join a fraternity or sorority, or at least that you’re interested in participating in the recruitment process. Before you start, here is some information about Belmont’s processes and cultures related to recruitment and intake.

General Eligibility Requirements 

• All potential new members (PNMs) must be approved by the FSL Advisor to determine their eligibility for membership  
• To be eligible for participating in recruitment a person must have: 
  • Completed 12 university credit hours  
    • If transferring into Belmont, a person must have completed one (1) semester at their previous institution and completed the minimum number of hours required at that institution  
    • Dual enrollment does not qualify  
  • A minimum of 2.5 Cumulative GPA (Chapter GPA requirements may be higher)
  • Good behavioral standing with Belmont; cannot be on: 
    • Academic Probation
    • Student Conduct Probation  

Panhellenic & IFC Recruitment

Recruitment is the term used to describe the procedure implemented to invite new members into the fraternities and sororities at Belmont that belong to the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association.

Belmont University's Fraternity & Sorority Life Mission is to promote student development by providing opportunities for scholarship, community service, campus involvement, and fraternal friendship by ensuring all members a high-quality and safe undergraduate experience. Eligibility requirements are as follows:

• The recruitment process is coordinated by the Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council (IFC), but the membership selection practices and procedures are determined by each of the chapters individually. Formal recruitment for these two councils takes place at the beginning of the Spring semester. IFC will also sponsor recruitment at the beginning of the Fall semester.  
• Mutual Selection  
  • The process of sorority and fraternity recruitment is referred to as mutual selection process.  
  • This means that PNMs and chapters have a say in the joining process regardless of the format.  
  • It is encouraged for PNMs and chapters to seek out more information and build relationships outside of formal recruitment activities 
  • There is no guarantee that memberships and each selection process is determined by the respective organization.  
  • Belmont University, the Office of Student Engagement, and governing councils cannot interfere with the selection process or final decisions. 

National Pan-Hellenic Council Intake

Intake is the term used to describe the procedure implemented to invite new members into the fraternities and sororities at Belmont that belong to the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). NPHC is the governing body for fraternities and sororities that are historically African-American organizations; however, membership to these groups is non-exclusive to any race. Currently, Belmont University is home to four of the NPHC organizations.

• Dates for the intake process of chapter within the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) are determined by the respective chapter.  
• Chapters are responsible for all advertising and hosting informational meetings for interested students to attend.  
• National Pan-Hellenic Council: Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

If you are interested in an NPHC chapter you should contact studentengagement@belmont.edu.

Do I need letters of recommendation?

Though it is common practice across the country that for membership in Panhellenic Association (NPC) or Interfraternity Council (NIC) organizations students are required or encouraged to seek out recommendation letters from current members in those groups, Belmont’s NPC and IFC groups made the intentional decision to not support this practice in an effort to be inclusive so that all students have an equal opportunity to join. Due to the personal nature of membership intake into a National Pan-Hellenic Council organization, recommendation letters may be requested for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., or Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.

More questions? Check out our FAQ page.