Panhellenic Association
Sororities participating in deferred primary recruitment during the spring semester.
Join the Fraternity and Sorority Life Community
Fraternity and sorority life at Miami University offers multiple pathways to membership depending on the council and organization you’re interested in. Students are encouraged to explore chapters, attend events, and learn about each community before participating in recruitment or intake. Each governing council manages its own membership process, timelines, and chapter experience.
General Eligibility Requirements (all councils)
Student eligibility will be verified through the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life prior to the chapter extending any form of invitation to membership. Only transcripts from the most recent institution attended will be considered. Review the full fraternity and sorority policy in Miami’s policy library.
Once membership has been gained to a fraternity or sorority, it is up to each chapter to determine an individual’s requirements to maintain membership.
To join a fraternity or sorority at Miami, students must:
- Complete one full-time college semester at Miami or another accredited institution of higher education.
- Earn at least 12 college credit hours. AP, IB, and dual-enrollment credits do not count.
- Have at least a 2.5 minimum, cumulative grade point average (Note: IFC requires a minimum 2.75 GPA). There are no exemptions to this requirement.
- Only the fall GPA will count towards recruitment eligibility (for first-year students). Cumulative college GPA will be reviewed for sophomores and above.
- Grades from the Winter Term prior to primary recruitment will not count.
- Transfer students: submit a transcript from your previous institution indicating that you have met the above requirements. Only transcripts from the most recent institution attended will be considered. Please submit transcripts to Elissa Christmas at christe@MiamiOH.edu.
- Complete the required online education course.
- Meet any additional council or chapter-specific requirements (e.g., minimum GPA, credit hours, etc.).
Student eligibility will be verified through the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life prior to the chapter extending any form of invitation to membership. Review the full fraternity and sorority policy in Miami’s policy library.
Once membership has been gained to a fraternity or sorority, it is up to each chapter to determine an individual’s requirements to maintain membership.
Explore Each Council
Interfraternity Council (IFC)
Fraternities participating in deferred recruitment during the spring semester.
National Panhellenic Council
Historically Black fraternities and sororities using a chapter-based intake process throughout the year.
Multicultural Greek Council
Culturally based organizations offering chapter-specific intake and recruitment experiences.
General Timeline for Primary Recruitment
Interfraternity Council (IFC) fraternities and Panhellenic Association sororities participate in primary recruitment. National Pan-Hellenic Association (NPHC) and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) offer a chapter-specific intake process and timeline.
Explore Options
Attend events, meet members, and learn about chapters during the fall semester. You may attend chapter open houses (IFC fraternities) or sprite dates (Panhellenic Association sororities) and learn more about organizations on social media and on this website.
Register for Recruitment
The deadline to register for primary recruitment is January 2 at 11:59 p.m. each year.
Participate in Primary Recruitment
Both IFC and Panhellenic organizations will have organized events during the first few weeks of the spring semester for registered students to learn more about each organization and determine where they might fit. Attend these events with an open mind and trust the process.
Join a Chapter
Students who receive and accept membership invitations begin a new member education process before initiation. This period typically lasts several weeks.
Who can join?
Fraternity and sorority life is open to anyone who has an interest in joining the community (after completing one full semester of college). This includes transfer students!
How do students join a fraternity or sorority?
Membership processes vary by council and chapter.
- Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Association chapters participate in deferred recruitment during the spring semester.
- National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) organizations use an intake process that occurs at various times throughout the year.
Once primary recruitment or intake is over and students have accepted a bid, they enter a new member period. Each chapter has different expectations for this period. The student will typically learn about their new chapter's history, rules, and traditions. Once the new member period is over, students will be inducted into full membership.
What is the time commitment involved?
The time commitment varies by organization and level of involvement. The first semester is the most time intensive as new members participate in their chapter’s educational program. Beyond the first year, members typically participate in:
- Weekly meetings
- Philanthropy and service events
- Leadership opportunities
- Social and community activities
Students are encouraged to balance chapter involvement with academics, wellness, and other campus experiences.
How much does fraternity or sorority membership cost?
Membership costs vary by organization and may include:
- New member fees
- Semester dues
- Housing or meal costs (if applicable)
- National organization fees
Chapters provide financial information during recruitment or intake, and students are encouraged to ask questions about dues, housing, and payment expectations before joining.
More on Costs and Financial Information
Do students joining a sorority need recommendation letters?
Recommendations are letters and forms regarding a potential new member that are sent to a sorority chapter before primary recruitment begins. Recommendation letters are not required for participation in recruitment at Miami and many chapters no longer utilize them.
For more information regarding recommendation letters and the different recommendation processes for each sorority please visit the Panhellenic Association page on recommendation letters.
What are sprite dates?
Sprite dates are informal meetings between sorority/fraternity members and potential new members for recruitment purposes, typically during the fall semester. Attendance is not required.
How does fraternity and sorority life support academic success?
Academic achievement is a priority within Miami’s fraternity and sorority community. Many chapters provide:
- Study tables
- Peer mentoring
- Academic workshops
- Scholarship opportunities
- Academic incentive programs
All chapters maintain GPA requirements for membership and encourage students to prioritize academic success. The all-Greek GPA is consistently higher than Miami’s all-student GPA.
Do members participate in service and philanthropy?
Yes. Service and philanthropy are important parts of fraternity and sorority life at Miami.
Each year, chapters support local and national organizations through fundraising efforts, volunteer service, awareness events, and community partnerships. Students contribute thousands of volunteer hours and raise significant support for charitable causes annually.
What are the benefits of joining a fraternity or sorority?
Fraternity and sorority life offers opportunities for students to build friendships, develop leadership skills, serve their communities, and grow personally and professionally.
Students can gain experience through:
- Leadership positions
- Academic support and mentorship
- Service and philanthropy
- Networking with alumni
- Educational programs and campus involvement
What are fraternity houses and sorority living spaces like?
Many fraternities at Miami have chapter houses off campus that include shared living spaces, dining areas, study spaces, and community gathering areas.
Sorority organizations have suites within residence halls where they hold chapter meetings and other events, and some members may live within designated residence hall communities.
More on fraternity and sorority housing
Who supports and oversees fraternity and sorority organizations?
Fraternity and sorority organizations are student-led and supported by multiple layers of guidance and accountability, including:
- Chapter officers, elected by members
- Alumni advisors
- National/international headquarters
- Governing councils
- Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life staff
What are Miami’s policies on hazing?
Hazing is prohibited by Miami University, the State of Ohio, and all recognized fraternities and sororities.
Miami provides hazing prevention education and reporting resources for students, families, and community members. Students participating in new member education programs should expect activities focused on learning about the organization, building relationships, leadership development, and community involvement.
If you believe hazing has occurred, report concerns immediately through the university’s reporting resources.
Report Hazing Concerns >
How does the community approach alcohol and safety?
Miami’s fraternity and sorority community promotes responsible decision-making and risk reduction education related to alcohol and safety.
Chapters participate in educational programming and are expected to follow university, council, and national organization policies related to alcohol, safety, and event management. Each chapter holds seminars on responsible alcohol use. Miami's fraternity/sorority governing groups have adopted their own Greek alcohol policy, which all chapters adhere to.
Which organizations are recognized by the university?
Miami University maintains information about recognized and unrecognized fraternity and sorority organizations, as well as conduct history for each organization as well.
How can families support students interested in fraternity and sorority life?
Families can support students by encouraging them to:
- Explore organizations thoughtfully
- Ask questions during recruitment or intake
- Learn about chapter values and expectations
- Balance academics and involvement
- Make decisions that align with their goals and interests
Families are also encouraged to learn more about Miami’s fraternity and sorority community and available campus resources.
Where can I more about the recruitment process?
The Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life have recorded informational sessions about what you need to know as a family member of a student looking to join a fraternity or sorority. We recommend watching these videos prior to your student starting the joining process!
Contact Us
Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
2026 Armstrong Student Center
550 E. Spring St. Oxford, OH 45056
