Becoming a Member
Greek Life has been a tradition at the University of Michigan since 1845. Sororities and fraternities have provided generations of men and women with opportunities for friendship, community service, leadership training, athletic competition, scholastic support and personal development. For these reasons, we encourage you to look closely at our Greek Community and take advantage of the chance to enhance your undergraduate experience here at U of M.
Panhellenic Association
Held during the fall semester, formal recruitment or "Rush" as it is commonly, called is the process by which women have the opportunity to explore all the Panhellenic (Panhel) sororities. A limited number of sororities may hold informal recruitment events during the winter semester.
Formal recruitment is compromised of four sets of parties:
- Mixers are the time to get a brief look at each chapter and form a first impression of our sorority community as a whole.
- Second Set is the chance to actually learn what it's like to live in a sorority house and find out more about the countless opportunities available.
- Third Set is the opportunity to learn about and participate in an important aspect of sorority life, philanthropy. Chapters participate in projects such as painting a mural for a hospital, creating holiday decorations, or writing letters to needy children.
- Preference Parties are formal events at which members express personal feelings about the meaning of their sisterhood.
As recruitment progresses, sororities issue invitations and Potential New Members decide where they wish to visit again. At the end of this mutual selection process, sororities extend invitations to join (bids).
More information regarding recruitment can be found on the Panhellenic Association's section of the website. Women interested in formal recruitment must register. See the link below for registration information.
Interfraternity Council
Men interested in joining an Interfraternity Council(IFC) fraternity may participate in an open, informal recruitment process. Traditionally called "Rush," this occurs at the beginning of the fall and winter academic terms and provides multiple opportunities for both fraternities and potential members to interact. Through a series of public information events and informal gatherings with individual fraternities, students have ample time to find the right organization for them. These events include:
- Mass meeting
- Fraternity Forum
- Fraternity open houses
- Individual chapter events
At the conclusion of these events, chapters will extend invitations to join (bids). A student may receive more than one bid. Once a student makes his decision, he must register with the Interfraternity Council by attending IFC Bid Day.
More information regarding Recruitment can be found on the Interfraternity Council's Recruitment Page on this website. Men interested in joining an IFC Fraternity should register. See the link at the top of the page for registration information.
Multicultural Greek Council
Each fraternity or sorority within the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) holds individual recruitment events and has individual requirements for membership. If a student is interested in a specific organization he/she may contact a chapter's rush/new membership chair or attend a chapter-sponsored event. Students may also attend an MGC sponsored event in order to learn more about the council as well as the member organizations.
National Pan-Hellenic Council
Students interested in a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternity or sorority participate in a process called intake. NPHC holds various events throughout the year to introduce students to the different organizations. In the fall, the NPHC Ice Breaker takes place in early September. Also, in the fall NPHC sponsors an Open House where individual organizations present their objectives and disseminate information to prospective members. Each organization takes new members at different times throughout the year. Interested students should contact the group in which they are interested.
