Leadership Opportunities
Members of GVSU's Interfraternity Council community participate in numerous leadership development opportunities. All IFC fraternities have executive boards, responsible for general management, as well as planning events for the organization. Many chapters have an extensive number of chair positions for members to hold, focusing on various programmatic initiatives such as philanthropy, service, brotherhood, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and more. Members have also had the opportunity to attend leadership development programs hosted by their organization, they have access to all Fraternity & Sorority Life leadership development sessions, can be selected to attend leadership conferences for little to no cost, and so much more.

Brotherhood
Our IFC fraternities create brotherhood by supporting their members through the ups and downs of college life. This can include offering academic support, providing mentorship and guidance, and helping members navigate personal challenges. By supporting each other in these ways, members can develop a strong bond and a sense of loyalty towards their fraternity and each other. Additionally, fraternities often have designated spaces, such as chapter houses, where members can hang out, study, and spend time together. By supporting each other in these ways, members can develop a strong bond and a sense of loyalty towards their fraternity and each other.

Community Service and Philanthropy
Service and philanthropy are among the most important elements of an IFC fraternity experience at Grand Valley. Our organizations are deeply committed to their organization's philanthropy and spend a considerable amount of time contributing to service projects across the greater Grand Rapids community. Many organizations have a minimum requirement for service hours completed, and each of our organizations host large scale programs to benefit their respective philanthropies.

Fraternity recruitment is the process by which fraternities recruit and select new members to join their organization. The recruitment process typically occurs at the beginning of each academic year or semester and can involve a variety of activities, including informational sessions, social events, and interviews. During recruitment, fraternities aim to attract students who share their values, interests, and goals. Fraternities may reach out to potential members through various channels, such as campus events, social media, and word of mouth. They may also host events such as open houses, barbecues, and game nights to provide opportunities for potential members to interact with current members and learn more about the fraternity.

At Grand Valley, IFC Recruitment takes place over the span of up to two weeks, where our organizations host events open to all that are interested in learning more about the chapter. There is no cost associated with IFC Recruitment at Grand Valley, however all that are interested in joining an IFC Fraternity must register for recruitment.

Chapters will begin hosting recruitment events at the start of the Winter 2024 semester.

Minimum GPA Requirement: In order to join an IFC fraternity at Grand Valley, you must have a minimum GPA of a 2.50 to be eligible. If you are an incoming first-year student, or are a transfer-student, you are exempt from the minimum requirement unless stated by an individual organization.

Hazing Prevention Module: To be able to begin the New Member Education process, you must first complete the 45-minute Hazing Prevention 101™ Course - College Edition was developed in partnership with HazingPrevention.Org and leading hazing prevention academicians to provide evidence-based, best practices that teach you how to recognize, prevent and report hazing. You must complete this module before New Member Education can begin. Follow the following steps:

1.       Visit - https://gvsu.prevent.zone/

2.       Register for Hazing Prevention 101™ Course - College Edition

a.       First & Last Name

b.       GVSU email & create password

c.       Select your classification

d.       Organization Type – Potential New Member

e.       Organization Name – IFC Recruitment

If you are interested in receiving more information about Winter IFC Recruitment, please complete this form.

Register Here!

Academics and Leadership Development
At Grand Valley State University, our Panhellenic sororities take great pride in their academic accomplishments, with many chapters receiving recognition from their inter/national organizations for their academic excellence. The Panhellenic sorority GPA is consistently higher than the all-women's GPA, meaning that joining a sorority could be one of the best things that you could do to ensure a successful academic experience at GVSU. Many of our organizations have higher GPA requirements than the minimum 2.50 GPA set by the Office of Student Life, and our chapters are committed to creating opportunities for sisters to study together, learn together, and celebrate academic accomplishments together. Our members also engage in various leadership development programs hosted by the Panhellenic Association and the Office of Student Life. Panhellenic chapter members also attend conferences hosted by their organizations, national leadership academies, and more.

Sisterhood
"Empowered women empower women" is more than just a saying for the Panhellenic community. Our sororities create sisterhood by fostering a sense of community, shared values, and supportive relationships among their members. Through these efforts, sororities can provide a valuable source of social and emotional support for their members throughout their college years and beyond. Our community is truly "panhellenic", meaning that although our members may not all be from the same organization, there is a commitment to uplifting women within the community and beyond.

Community Service and Philanthropy
By completing thousands of hours of community service, and contributing over $50,000 to national philanthropies, our organizations are making impacts well beyond campus. Through the requirement of a minimum number of service hours, our members come together to leave places better than they found them, and truly commit to projects and opportunities that align with their respective values. Through leadership development workshops, our members have also completed large community-wide service projects, such as creating care-packages for the YWCA, writing letters to those in need, and more.
 

Panhellenic formal recruitment is a process by which sororities affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) recruit and select new members. The recruitment process typically occurs at the beginning of each academic year or semester and is a structured and formalized process that takes place over several days. The Panhellenic formal recruitment process at Grand Valley involves a series of events, including information round, values round, and preference round, during which potential new members have the opportunity to visit each sorority and meet with its members. These events are designed to allow potential new members to learn about each sorority's values, traditions, philanthropic efforts, and sisterhood culture.

Throughout the recruitment process, potential new members will attend events with fewer and fewer sororities as they make decisions about which sororities they feel most connected to. Each sorority also makes its own decisions about which potential new members they would like to extend a bid to. At the end of the process, potential new members are offered bids to join one of the sororities they visited and can decide whether to accept or decline the bid.

Panhellenic formal recruitment is a highly structured process that is designed to ensure fairness and equity among all sororities and potential new members. The process aims to match potential new members with sororities that align with their values, interests, and goals and create a sense of belonging and sisterhood among its members. More information about other opportunities to join will be made available at the end of the Panhellenic Formal Recruitment.

Information on the formal recruitment process that will occur in Fall 2024 will be released during the Spring 2024 semester. 

What if I only want to be in a certain sorority?
While you may enter the recruitment process with specific chapters in mind, it is important to enter Panhellenic Formal Recruitment with an open mind. Each organization has something that makes them special, just like all of our potential new members, so take some time to get to know them all and make the decision that is best for you!

Minimum GPA Requirement: In order to join a Panhellenic sorority at Grand Valley, you must have a minimum GPA of a 2.50 to be eligible. If you are an incoming first-year student, or are a transfer-student, you are exempt from the minimum requirement unless stated by an individual organization. Multiple Panhellenic organizations have a minimum GPA higher than a 2.50, so be sure to look into which groups you are academically eligible to join during the recruitment process.

Hazing Prevention Module: To be able to begin the New Member Education process, you must first complete the 45-minute Hazing Prevention 101™ Course - College Edition was developed in partnership with HazingPrevention.Org and leading hazing prevention academicians to provide evidence-based, best practices that teach you how to recognize, prevent and report hazing. You must complete this module before New Member Education can begin. Follow the following steps:

1.       Visit - https://gvsu.prevent.zone/

2.       Register for Hazing Prevention 101™ Course - College Edition

a.       First & Last Name

b.       GVSU email & create password

c.       Select your classification

d.       Organization Type – Potential New Member

e.       Organization Name – Panhellenic Recruitment

The following information pertains to joining a sorority outside of the primary recruitment period. To register for Winter 2024 Panhellenic Recruitment, click here.

Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is an informal process allowing women to join a sorority outside the primary recruitment period. COB occurs during the fall and winter semesters and allows women to join participating Panhellenic sororities. Only eligible chapters may participate in COB, so the number of chapters is subject to change each term. If a chapter is not participating in COB, they are not permitted to hold events or issue bids during this time. COB events are less structured and more casual compared to the formal recruitment process.

Throughout the COB process, sororities will host events or individually meet with interested women and extend them a bid for membership. To be eligible to participate in COB or receive a bid, you must meet all eligibility requirements. If a woman accepts a COB bid and signs a MRABA (membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement), she is ineligible to accept a bid from another Panhellenic organization for one year. Informal recruitment is a great way to join the Panhellenic community if you missed out on formal recruitment. Check out our chapter's social media to see if they participate in COB this semester!

Belonging
Multicultural Greek organizations provide a sense of community and belonging for individuals who may identify with more than one culture or ethnicity. These organizations often celebrate diversity and provide opportunities for members to learn about different cultures, customs, and traditions. Joining a multicultural Greek organization can provide opportunities to form lifelong friendships with individuals who share similar interests, values, and experiences.

Leadership Development
Members of multicultural Greek organizations often hold leadership positions within their chapters, which can provide valuable opportunities for developing leadership skills, such as communication, teamwork, and decision-making.

Networking
Multicultural Greek organizations often have strong alumni networks, which can provide valuable career opportunities and connections after graduation. Members also have the opportunity to network with other members of their organization who may be working in their field of interest.

Community Service and Philanthropy 
Many multicultural Greek organizations have a strong commitment to community service and philanthropy. Members have the opportunity to give back to their communities and make a positive impact through volunteer work and fundraising efforts.

Overall, joining a multicultural Greek organization can provide a sense of community, leadership development, networking opportunities, opportunities for philanthropy and community service, and lifelong friendships. It can be a valuable and rewarding experience for individuals who are looking to connect with others who share their cultural background or who are interested in learning about different cultures.

Attend Events
Many multicultural Greek organizations host informational and recruitment events at the beginning of each academic year or semester. Attending these events can provide an opportunity to learn more about the organization, meet current members, and express interest in potentially joining.

Meet the Members
Reach out to current members of the organization to express interest and learn more about the recruitment process. This can be done through social media, email, or in-person meetings.

Participate in Events 
Many multicultural Greek organizations have a strong commitment to community service and philanthropy. Participating in community service events hosted by the organization can provide an opportunity to meet current members and learn more about the organization. Organizations often host cultural events that are open to the public. Attending these events can provide an opportunity to learn more about the organization's culture and traditions.

Contact the Office of Student Life
If you have questions about the joining process for Multicultural Greek organizations, don't hesitate to reach out to the Office of Student Life at 616-331-2345, or by emailing [email protected].

Intake processes are different from recruitment processes in the sense that organizations that utilize an intake process for taking new members are able to decide which semesters they would like to host new member intake. The best way to make sure you are up to date on all events hosted by Multicultural Greek organizations is to provide your information by completing the form below.

Receive More Information!

Community 
NPHC organizations often provide a sense of community and brotherhood/sisterhood for individuals who share a common interest and commitment to the organization's values and principles, and that is no different at GVSU. Our organizations create community for members and non-members by hosting events such as the NPHC Icebreaker, the Kirkhof Center Blackout, and the End of Semester Cultural Bash.

Leadership Development
NPHC organizations provide opportunities for members to develop leadership skills through holding executive positions within their chapters, organizing and participating in events, and participating in national and regional leadership conferences.

Professional Networking
Many NPHC organizations have strong alumni networks, which can provide valuable career opportunities and connections after graduation. Members also have the opportunity to network with other members of their organization who may be working in their field of interest.

Community Service and Philanthropy
NPHC organizations have a strong commitment to philanthropy and community service. Members have the opportunity to give back to their communities through volunteer work and fundraising efforts.

Cultural Awareness
NPHC organizations celebrate and promote the culture and history of their respective organizations and the broader Black community. Members have the opportunity to learn about Black culture and history and to engage in events and activities that promote cultural awareness and understanding.

Overall, joining an NPHC organization can provide a sense of community, leadership development, professional networking opportunities, opportunities for philanthropy and community service, and cultural awareness. It can be a valuable and rewarding experience for individuals who are looking to connect with others who share their values and interests and to make a positive impact in their communities.

Attend Events
Many NPHC organizations host informationals, as well as general educational events at the beginning of each academic year or semester. Attending these events can provide an opportunity to learn more about the organization, meet current members, and express interest in potentially joining. Keep in mind that some organizations may require an invitation to attend an informational. NPHC organizations have a strong commitment to community service and philanthropy. Participating in community service events hosted by the organization can provide an opportunity to meet current members and learn more about the organization. Organizations often host cultural events that are open to the public. Attending these events can provide an opportunity to learn more about the organization's culture and traditions.

Meet the Members
Reach out to current members of the organization to express interest and learn more about the recruitment process. This can be done through social media, email, or in-person meetings.

Contact the Office of Student Life
If you have questions about the joining process for Multicultural Greek organizations, don't hesitate to reach out to the Office of Student Life at 616-331-2345, or by emailing [email protected].

Intake processes are different from recruitment processes in the sense that organizations that utilize an intake process for taking new members are able to decide which semesters they would like to host new member intake. The best way to make sure you are up to date on all events hosted by NPHC organizations is to provide your information by completing the form below. Please note that completing this form is not a formal expression of interest.

Receive More Information!