Being a member of a fraternity means more than just wearing Greek letters, attending meetings, and going to social events - it's about making friendships and networks that will last far beyond your college years while enhancing your personal development by committing to ideals of scholarship, leadership, justice, and service.
Fraternity recruitment starts at the beginning of each semester, at which time each fraternity chapter will hold their own events with specified times and locations. During these events, potential new members will be able to meet and get to know Brothers.
Fraternity FAQs
How much of a time commitment is fraternity participation?
Participating in a fraternal organization is like any worthwhile co-curricular activity - it requires a time investment. The benefit of membership in the fraternity community at UVM is the opportunity for a well-rounded college experience that includes learning how to balance academics, work, campus involvement and social commitments.
How much does it cost?
Each fraternities' dues vary depending on the chapter. At any recruitment events you attend you should ask for updated information and consider each chapter's dues while making your decision on which chapter to join.
How do I get in contact with a chapter?
First, you can email the Interfraternity Council (IFC) Vice President of Recruitment and Programming.
He will have information about each chapter, upcoming community-wide recruitment events, and will be able to answer any general questions you may have. Additionally, you are also welcome to reach out to individual chapters for more information.
Terminology
- Bid: a formal invitation given by a fraternity asking a prospective member to join the chapter.
- Big: an older member assigned to assist a new member in their college transition.
- Sibling/Brother: a term used within fraternities when referring to other members.
- Hazing: Any act committed by a person, whether individually or in concert with others, against a student in connection with joining, pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or gaining or maintaining membership in any group, organization, department or unit that is a part of or recognized by the University, and that is intended to have the effect of, or should reasonably be expected to have the effect of, socially or physically isolating, humiliating, intimidating, or demeaning the student(s) or otherwise endangering their mental or physical health.
- Informal Recruitment: the unstructured recruitment process by which chapters bring in new members, sometimes called the "rush" period.
- Interfraternity Council (IFC): The governing body for all UVM fraternities.
- Legacy: a prospective member whose immediate relative(s) were in a recognized fraternity at UVM.
- New Member: a male-identified individual who has accepted a fraternity bid, but has not been initiated.
- NIC: North-American Interfraternity Conference.
- Potential New Member: a person participating in recruitment events.