Joining a Greek Chapter - St. Norbert College

Recruitment is the mutual selection process by which the prospective member (you) and the fraternities or sororities determine the best fit for membership. It is a mutual process where you have the opportunity to decide which chapter(s) would be a good fit for you and where each chapter determines who they would like invite to be a member.

During recruitment, you meet many members from each chapter and have the opportunity to gauge whether or not a particular chapter is a good place for you. While all chapters strive to create better men and women, each chapter is different and has a different personality. The goal of recruitment is to determine if Greek Life is for you and where you find the best fit.

Recruitment is different for Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council. During recruitment week at the beginning of each semester, each chapter hosts multiple recruitment events so that they can get to know you and you can get to know them. During recruitment, the chapter asks for your authorization to verify your academic eligibility for membership. Each organization has eligibility requirements for membership. While some specific organizations may have higher standards, the minimum standard requirement at SNC is a 2.25 GPA. First semester first year students are not eligible to participate in recruitment. At the conclusion of recruitment, chapters issue bids, which are an invitation to join the organization. By accepting a bid, you are accepting membership in a particular fraternity or sorority.

Recruitment Tips

Organize Your Daily Schedule - plan enough time for schoolwork, meals, personal time, and anything else you need to do. Also, allow yourself enough time for Recruitment events - you don't want to miss any of them!
Don't Adopt a New Personality - fraternities and sororities want to meet and get to know the real you. Sometimes problems can occur when a potential member pretends to be someone he or she is not, so the best bet is to just be yourself.
Don't Listen to Rumors! - if you really want to know something about a particular fraternity or sorority, just ask one of the members of that chapter. Information that you get from any other source can be inaccurate and not helpful to you at all.
Choose Which Chapter Is Right for You - just because a lot of people from your hometown are in a certain fraternity or sorority or you think your friends are going to pledge a certain chapter, it doesn't mean that chapter is right for you. Think about all the options you have, and join the fraternity/sorority with which you fit in the best and feel the most comfortable.
Learn as Much About the Fraternity/Sorority as You Possibly Can - by doing this, you can make a better decision on which fraternity/sorority you would like to join. Ask a lot of questions, and meet as many people as you can. After all, that is what recruitment is for - you need to keep in mind that these are the people with whom you will be spending the next few years and with whom you will share friendships for a lifetime.
Ask the Right Questions- you should try to learn the following things about each chapter:

How much emphasis does your chapter place on scholarship, and are there any type of scholarship programs offered by your chapter?

How involved is your chapter with IFC (Interfraternity Council), Panhel (Panhellenic Council), student government, and other campus organizations?

What type of community service programs does your chapter participate in?

How much does it cost to be involved with the fraternity/sorority?

What kind of time commitment is required in the new member education program of the fraternity/sorority?

[Adapted from Greek Life at Western Illinois University]

Fraternity Recruitment Interest Form

Full Name
Classification:
SNC ID#:
Email:
Local Address:
Phone:
Are you a transfer student?
If transfer student, previous college attended:
If transfer student, college cumulative G.P.A.
Anticipated Major:
Have you ever pledged a fraternity?
I authorize that all aforementioned information is accurate and true. I understand that the SNC Interfraternity Council is not responsible for my actions outside of all scheduled recruitment activities and events. Further, I authorize SNC to release my grades and transcripts to LSI. Sending this registration affirms my agreement to the above and the accuracy of this registration.

You will be redirected back to the Go Greek home page.

Sorority Recruitment Interest Form

Full Name
Classification:
SNC ID#:
E-mail Address:
Local Address:
Phone:
Are you a transfer student
If transfer student, previous college attended
If transfer student, college cumulative G.P.A
Anticipated Major:
Have you ever pledged a sorority?

I authorize that all aforementioned information is accurate and true. I understand that the SNC Panhellenic Council is not responsible for my actions outside of all scheduled recruitment activities and events. Further, I authorize SNC to release my grades and transcripts to LSI. Sending this registration affirms my agreement to the above and the accuracy of this registration.

You will be redirected back to the Go Greek home page.

What about Hazing?
Hazing is illegal in the State of Wisconsin. In addition to this, St. Norbert College stands firm in their conviction and refusal to tolerate hazing in any form.

Hazing is a recurrent blight that can attack any organization whenever a few persons attempt to substitute force for reason and expediency for understanding. Such persons seem to believe that subjecting members to a series or ordeals will make them fit in and that fear will somehow make them more disciplined and mature. Even though such methods may seem efficient in the short run, there can be no justification whatsoever for hazing. The principles and values of St. Norbert College as well as each and every fraternity and sorority at SNC are in stark contrast to any act of hazing and these values must be evident in the words and actions of all members. Therefore, the college retains the right to sanction organizations as well as individuals who are involved in or permit hazing.

Each fraternity and sorority and the governing councils at St. Norbert College (IFC, Panhel) join the college in their refusal to accept or tolerate hazing activities in any form, included practices by new members, active members, alumni, or any recognized college organization. Whatever form it takes, hazing subverts and corrupts the true fraternal experience.

Each organization is required to have at a minimum the following hazing policy in their binding constitution: “As members of a recognized student organization at St. Norbert College, we unconditionally oppose placing any or all members of our organization or those of the general student population in situations which produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Freedom from the humility and danger of hazing is guaranteed to every member of the College community. We realize that any form of hazing violates College policy and Wisconsin State Statute 948.51."

For more information, please contact Jessica Schmechel, the Greek liaison and Associate Director of Student Involvement in LSI at (920) 403-4032 or jessica.schmechel@snc.edu