JOIN a Fraternity
Recruitment
Recruitment Details
The Interfraternity Council (IFC) at the University of Oregon offers two formal recruitment periods, one during the Fall term and the other during the Spring term. The dates for recruitment change each year; however, Fall recruitment happens during the first two weeks of the term, and Spring recruitment takes place during the first week of the term.
Recruitment kicks off with IFC Orientation. Potential New Members (PNMs) are required to attend IFC Orientation to be eligible to receive a Bid from one of the 16 chapters on campus. On the days following IFC Orientation, chapters will host recruitment events. PNMs are encouraged to attend as many recruitment events as possible to meet as many chapters as possible to find which chapter is right for them.
IFC does not host Winter term recruitment. Some of our chapters do recruit during the Winter term. If a PMN is interested in Winter recruitment, they are encouraged to follow the chapter’s Instagrams to see if they are recruiting and when their event will occur.
Fall 2025 Recruitment Calendar
- September 30 & October 1: FSL Fall Showcase
- 11am – 2pm – EMU
October 6 & 8: Mandatory Orientation
Must attend one session
6pm – Straub Hall 156
October 9-18: Chapter Recruitment Events
Chapters will post information regarding respective recruitment events on Instgram profiles
October 17: IFC Bid Distribution
October 18: IFC Bid Day
Contact For More Details
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the IFC VP of Recruitment or FSL Director Caitlin Roberts
Frequently Asked Questions
We aim to create a clear process to join an IFC group. If you have any additional questions, contact our office so we can be helpful
1. What is Recruitment?
Recruitment is the (informal) process in which fraternities and potential new members (PNMs) meet each other through a series of events planned by chapters and approved by IFC. Fraternities may extend a “bid” or invitation to join to PNMs at any time during the recruitment process.
2. How much will it cost?
Recruitment is free for all participants, however, if a PNM decides to accept a bid and join a fraternity they will need to pay new member dues for their first term. These dues generally cover initiation materials, insurance, and payments to the chapters national organization. At UO these range from $200-$875 per member, with an average cost of $636 (as of Fall 2024).
3. What about hazing and alcohol?
All 16 IFC fraternities, their national organizations, the Interfraternity Council, the University of Oregon, and the State of Oregon strictly prohibit hazing. Any chapters suspected of violating this policy are referred to the University’s Office of Student Conduct. In addition to this, all IFC chapters must adhere to a strict dry recruitment policy that forbids any alcohol or social events during the established recruitment period.
4. What is a legacy?
A legacy is a PNM who has a parent or other relative (policies vary from organization to organization) that was a member of a particular fraternity. Some fraternities may give preference to PNMs based on their legacy status, although this is not always the case. On the recruitment form there is a section to fill out any legacy information.
Fraternity Terminology
Active – An initiated member who is a college student.
Alumnus – An initiated member who has graduated or left college (plural: alumni).
Badge – The pin of an initiated member.
Bid – A formal invitation to join an organization.
Brother – A term used by fraternity members in reference to one another.
Chapter – The local group of an international organization.
Chapter Advisor – An alumnus who establishes and maintains a close advisory relationship with a chapter and serves as a teacher, counselor, and friend.
Colony – A newly organized group working to become a chartered chapter.
Community Service – Hands-on activities directly benefiting others.
De-pledge – The termination of a new member’s relationship with a fraternity.
Fraternity – The name that applies to male chapters and is characterized by a ritual, a pin, and a strong bond of friendship.
House – The structure in which organizations reside or socialize together.
Initiation – A formal ceremony during which a man or woman begins full membership in an organization.
Interfraternity Council (IFC) – The representative body of all men’s fraternities.
Legacy – A potential new member whose grandparents, parents, or siblings are members of a particular organization.
MSFC – The council that represents the Multicultural Sororities and Fraternities.
North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) – The international organization composed of more than 70 men’s fraternities.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) – The national organization for all historically African-American fraternities and sororities.
National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) – The international organization composed of 26 women’s fraternities.
New Member – A member of a sorority or fraternity who has not been initiated (also called associate member or pledge).
New Member Period – The time during which new members learn about their organization, its members, and their activities.
Panhellenic Council (PHC) – The local coordinating and governing organization for women’s sororities.
Philanthropy – Endeavors raising money for charitable organizations.
Potential New Member (PNM) – A man who is going through the recruitment process.
Ritual – A value-based esoteric ceremony that is traditional of a chapter. Rituals are kept secret.
Recruitment – The process through which sororities and fraternities get new members. Potential New Members are invited to different events and chapters choose the new members for their organization. Also known as the outdated term “Rush”.