As your son makes the transition from high school to Ball State University, one decision that will impact the rest of his life is whether or not to join a fraternity.
Whether you have never heard of Greek life before or are a fraternity or sorority member yourself, the Greek Life staff and this Web site are 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 and him to review the information on our Web site and visit the chapter's Web sites. You can learn more about the fraternities by visiting the chapters page and reading our information about Greek terms, our anti-hazing policy, academic requirements, financial commitments, the advantages of membership and frequently asked questions.
The fraternity recruitment process 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 a five-day process that occurs each fall and spring.
Ball State has 11 chapters that make up the Interfraternity Council. Fraternities 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. 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 because fraternity members are eager to help him in his decision
- be confident
- take his time when making a decision
IFC Fraternity Recruitment will be from September 14-17, 2009
Ball State is home to two 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 each fall hosts a week of events to welcome your son to Ball State. 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 the Web site of each fraternity for informational dates, details, and contact information.