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Fraternity & Sorority Life
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    1. UNG
    2. Student Life
    3. Fraternity and Sorority Life

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Mission

    Fraternity and Sorority Life serves the needs of the student members of the fraternities and sororities by:

    • Providing advisement and support to members, leaders, and advisors of each Greek chapter
    • Promoting student responsibility to enrich the lives of all its members and affected communities by maintaining scholastic achievement, fostering friendships through brotherhood and sisterhood, promoting service, and engaging in campus life and leadership
    • Challenging members to incorporate values alignment and wellness development of its members
    • Supporting the learning experiences that occur as a result of a diverse fraternity and sorority community and the development of cross cultural competencies
    • Collaborating with stakeholders and constituents to support the fraternal experience
    • Interfraternity (IFC) Council Fraternities
    • Panhellenic Sororities
    • Will my academics be compromised if I join a Greek organization?

      Students often find managing their time difficult when moving from the highly structured high school environment to the freedom of college life. Greek membership assists in this transition by offering scholarship programs that may include study partners, mandatory study hours, and time management workshops. You can also access the network of chapter members who already know how to use campus resources like the library, writing center, computer labs and academic advisors.

      Additionally, some organizations offer scholarship opportunities through their inter/national offices. Nothing, however, can take the place of a disciplined and academically-focused student to ensure success in college.

    • How much time does Greek membership take up?

      The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter, but the first semester is the most time intensive as the new member goes through the chapter's New Member Education Program.

      The time spent in this program will give you the opportunity to develop your leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of your organization, develop friendships with your new member class, as well as the rest of the chapter, and allow you to become involved with other organizations. After initiation into the chapter, expectations will vary.

      Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other mandatory events (philanthropic, service, initiation, etc.) throughout the year both for the chapter and then Greek Life as a whole, but they are planned well in advance. The more you put into the chapter and the community the more you will get out of being a member. 

    • What does it cost to be a member?

      The Greek experience is an investment in your future. The leadership skills, the academic assistance, and friendships will benefit you beyond your college days. The perception that fraternities and sororities are only an option for "rich" students is wide-spread and false. Greek organizations are quite affordable and fees go to services that will positively impact each member.

      Member's dues directly support the betterment of the chapter and the national organization. To assist members, chapters may offer various scholarships and grants. We encourage you to ask questions related to finances during the recruitment process.

      For more information on fees and dues, see our Organizational Costs page.

    • What is the university policy on hazing?

      The University of North Georgia does not condone hazing by any student organization, chapter, colony, student or alumnus. Please refer to the student handbook for the full definition of hazing. The Greek community conducts a number of educational opportunities including National Hazing Prevention Week to educate all students as well as the Greek community about hazing prevention.

      If you feel that you may have some insight to an incident that may be considered hazing, please contact the vice president of Student Affairs office at 706-864-1818 or via the UNG Dean of Students webpage. Another way to report hazing is through the national Anti-Hazing Hotline, 1-888-NOT-HAZE. This is available to those who think they know, have been or may be victims of hazing.

    • Do I need to provide letters of recommendation in order to participate in sorority recruitment?

      No, the UNG Panhellenic community does not require letters of recommendation to participate in sorority recruitment and many women participate in recruitment without them. However, if you would like to provide letters of recommendation, each group has a different format for their recommendations. Please refer to the recruitment page for specific instructions. 

    • Is Greek housing available?

      The University of North Georgia does not currently offer Greek specific university housing. 

    If you have any other questions please feel free to contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life at 706-864-2750 or fsl@ung.edu.

    Glossary of Fraternity and Sorority Life Terms

    • Active/Initiated member
      A fully initiated member in a fraternity or sorority.
    • Associate/Pledge/Candidate/New Member
      A non-initiated member of a fraternity or sorority that utilizes a new member program.
    • Bid
      An invitation to join a fraternity or sorority.
    • Big Brother/Big Sister, Little Brother/Little Sister
      Many chapters utilize a Big Brother/Big Sister program where an older member serves a a mentor to a younger member. The younger member may refer to their mentor as their Big Brother/Big Sister.
    • Brother
      A term used by fraternity members when referring to each other.
    • Chapter
      Refers to an individual fraternity or sorority
    • Fraternity

      A Greek lettered organization that is typically for male identifying students.

    • Initiation
      A ceremony that brings a new member to full membership
    • Interfraternity Council (IFC)

      The governing council for the seven fraternities. They provide governance, programming, resources, leadership development opportunities for their membership and coordinates fraternity recruitment.

    • Legacy

      A perspective member of a fraternity/sorority who is a son/daughter, brother/sister, or grandson/granddaughter of a member of a Greek organization.

    • National

      A Greek organization that is on campuses nation-wide.

    • Panhellenic Council

      The governing council for the five Panhellenic sororities. They provide governance, programming, resources, leadership development opportunities for their membership and coordinates sorority formal recruitment.

    • Potential New Member
      A person interested in a being a member of a Greek organization.
    • Ritual

      The values and beliefs by which members of an organization live which is oftentimes depicted in organizational ceremonies.

    • Recruitment
      The activity by which chapters seek new members (Historically it has been referred to as Rush but is now referred to as Recruitment).
    • Sister
      A term used by sorority members when referring to each other.
    • Sorority

      A Greek lettered organization that is typically for female identifying students.

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