Whether you have never heard of Greek life before or are a fraternity or sorority member yourself, the Greek life staff is dedicated to helping you better understand the opportunities that Greek life at Ball State has to offer your son. Below you will find information about joining a fraternity and information that will help to answer your questions. Be sure to browse our Web site about the history of Greek-letter organizations at Ball State, information about Greek housing, information about our community and how to contact a member of our staff should you have any additional questions.
The best thing to do before your son participates in recruitment or membership intake is for you both to review the information on our Web site and visit the chapters' Web sites. You can learn more about the fraternities by visiting the chapter's page and reading our information about Greek terms, our anti-hazing policy, academic requirements, financial commitments, the advantages of membership and frequently asked questions.
Fraternity recruitment at Ball State is designed to give both your son and chapter members a fair and equal opportunity to become acquainted. The recruitment process is designed to allow him to get to know the men in the different chapters.
Fraternity recruitment is ongoing through the school year.
The fraternities that make up the Interfraternity Council recruit year-round, but we encourage you and your son to begin researching chapters and the recruitment process during the semester prior to joining.
We recommend your son contact the chapters that interest him or attend as many recruitment events during recruitment week as possible. The recruitment process works best when he takes the initiative. Your son should contact the recruitment chairmen of the chapters that he might be interested in directly.
Here are some tips for your son. He should:
- look at a large number of fraternities before making his decision
- ask questions about time and financial commitments, housing obligations (if applicable), the new member education process and general member expectations
- be confident
- take his time when making a decision
Ball State is home to several traditionally African-American fraternities and one traditionally Latino fraternity. These chapters recruit through a process known as intake. Although these organizations consist primarily of multicultural men, they are open to all men at Ball State.
The intake process for every chapter is defined by its international/national organization. Membership intake consists of attending a meeting, submitting a completed application directly to the fraternity of interest, receiving approval from the organization and being educated on the group’s history and traditions, and initiation.
The National Pan-Hellenic (NPHC) intake process at the Ball State is designed to give both your son and chapter members a fair and equal opportunity to become acquainted.
The NPHC hosts a week of events each fall and spring. The week of events allows your son to meet members from the chapters and learn more about their events and the intake process. During NPHC's week of events, they have an NPHC Meet the Greeks that allows your son to learn more about their member chapters.
Throughout the year, chapters hold social, informational and educational events, which provide your son the opportunity to meet the members of each organization. When conducting membership intake, chapters hold interest meetings to provide your son information and membership forms. Membership intake is held at various times during the year. Please check out the Greek life calendar for dates of informational sessions.