Frequently Asked Questions
Fraternities and sororities were founded on the principle of academic achievement. When you factor in help from fellow brothers and sisters, study sessions, workshops about study skills, test taking strategies, time management, and class scheduling assistance, scholastic success is in the student's favor. Ultimately, the responsibility for succeeding in the classroom is up to the individual student, but with the broad range of resources and incentives provided by the fraternity & sorority community and the university, students can better achieve their full academic potential.
One of the tremendous assets of affiliation with a fraternity or sorority is the nationwide network of alumni/ae members of the organization. As a student prepares for entry into the career world, alumni/ae members can assist in job placement through their knowledge of where jobs are and who is hiring. In addition, Fraternity & Sorority Life will assist students in developing transferable skills that will be needed in the career world, such as management, leadership development, communications, and more.
Intake is the process of membership selection used by fraternities and sororities within the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC).
Recruitment is the official process to get into a fraternity or sorority affiliated with the Panhellenic Council (CPH) or the Interfraternity Council (IFC). You must register to go through the process on the council websites. Both IFC and Panhellenic hold their Formal Recruitment processes in the fall semester.
While there are certain attendance requirements, a well-balanced schedule is encouraged for all members. Through involvement with the chapter, students will learn to better manage their time by balancing academics, work, and other commitments. Academic commitments are the first priority and many fraternity and sorority members hold student jobs as well. Fraternities & sororities are conscious of the full schedules that most students have and offer flexibility as much as possible. Students find that being active in a fraternity or sorority is well worth the time they put into it.
Many people have the misconception that the image of fraternities and sororities depicted in Animal House is really what is happening on college campuses across America. In reality, the Animal House image of Fraternity & Sorority Life could not be further from the truth. The Jacksonville State University fraternity and sorority community promotes responsibility in its activities. The governing councils encourage responsibility in a number of ways. Through judicial boards, chapters, and governing councils, they hold accountable those members of the fraternity and sorority system who do not act appropriately.
Like any opportunity for involvement in college, there is a financial commitment associated with joining a fraternity or sorority. Students and alumni set the fees for membership in any given chapter, and those fees can be put toward national organization and council fees, operational expenses, philanthropic endeavors, insurance, retreat costs, social function expenditures, scholarship funding, and parent and alumni functions. All prospective new members are highly encouraged to inquire about membership costs during the recruitment process. Be aware that additional costs may be incurred throughout the semester for gifts, pictures, social events, t-shirts, etc.
Fraternities and sororities were founded on strong moral, social, and academic principles. Hazing, or any activity which subjects members to harassment, intimidation, physical exhaustion, or mental distress is entirely contrary to those founding principles. Each of the (inter)national organizations at Jacksonville State University, as well as the University Code of Student Conduct and state law forbid hazing in all student activities at the university.