Greek Life: The Journey to Membership Laura Bauer Program Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life Alemayhu Ayanaw Graduate Assistant for Fraternity & Sorority LIfe

Overview We will discuss the following: How does a student go about joining a fraternity or sorority? How does this impact students today? What do they do after they join in order to get initiated? What is initiation and how does it work?

Four Corners

Two Models National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) & National Association for Latino Fraternal Organization (NALFO) Interfraternity Council (IFC) & Panhellenic Association (PHA)

How to join: NPHC & NALFO Informational/Interest Meetings: Interested students (aspirants) are invited to learn more about a specific organization Aspirants are expected to have researched all of the fraternities and sororities and know a great deal about the organization they are visiting. It is not generally accepted behavior for a person to attend more than one organization's informational meeting. Contact Information of chapter members is given to the aspirants

How to join: NPHC & NALFO Interview/Application Process: Aspirants are interviewed by chapter and sometime alumni Chapter votes on interviewed candidates Selected Aspirants are notified Aspirants send application to headquarters

How To Join: IFC & PHA Informal Recruitment Events Chapters obtain names from council & alumni Chapters will host a series of events including going for dinner, wings, ice cream, etc., going to a Royals game, attending a KU event, or other chapter specific events. After meeting a prospective member (PM) 3-4 times the chapter Chapter votes Bids are extended

How To Join: IFC & PHA Formal Recruitment Events Council organizes a recruitment period and PM’s register & pay to participate. Every PM meets every chapter through a series of rounds of events. PM’s rank chapters and chapters create an invitation list for the next round. PM’s will visit chapters who invited them back in order of their own rankings. At the end of the recruitment period, Chapters will extend bids to join.

Impact on the Millennials Fraternities and Sororities are protected by Title IX They are free to be single sex They are free to select their membership Millennials are not used to selection Parents consistently reinforce how great they are Everyone makes the team Not used to rejection

The Road to Initiation: NPHC & NALFO Intake Intensive Educational Process: Learn the History of the organization Learn the culture and values of the organization Write essay and reports on material Risk management training Practice event planning Practice public speaking Step Practice Final Exam

The Road to Initiation: IFC & PHA New Member Education Pledge Ceremony Weekly Meetings with NM Educator Book or Manual to follow Team Building Retreat/New Member Skip Big Brother/Big Sister Revealing Final Exam Sometimes disaffiliation occurs

The Mystery of Initiation: Each organization has its own ritual ceremony Week of activities leading up to initiation (I- Week) Initiation date may or may not be known by the potential initiates Initiation into the organization may be done at Regional level and chapter level May only take a few hours, may take all day Special Dress is usually required

The Mystery of Initiation: It’s a beautiful ceremony, usually based in ancient and/or Greek Mythology May be in one part or several parts New Members may wear a blindfold or hood New Members may be lead in by active members or in a line holding onto each other

The Mystery of Initiation: Ceremonies may include: Oaths or pledges to take Robes or Special garments Candles Alters with paraphernalia Religious Symbols Something to Sign Description of the organization symbols An opportunity to leave Some Ceremonies may: Be confusing because of language Be outdated Have evolved over time (others are still as they were originally written)

The Myth of Initiation In the past years, initiation has been tied to hazing. When it is done hazing-free, it is an incredible experience for the students It sets expectations and reinforces values It creates a roadmap to live your life

Mock Initiation To give you an idea of what it is like, we have created our own mock- initiation ceremony. It is meant to take a comedic approach and help you understand what a ritual ceremony may look like. Only participate if you are comfortable doing so.

Questions?

Thank You! Laura Bauer, Alemayhu Ayanaw,