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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Fraternity and Sorority Terminology
Potential Members
- Am I eligible to join?
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All students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Hofstra University (12 credits or more)
- Have completed one full semester at Hofstra University*
- Have a 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Be in good standing with Hofstra University and the Office of Community Standards
Please remember that these requirements are minimum standards. Interested students should ask each organization about their specific requirements.
*Transfer students are eligible for recruitment as long as they are entering Hofstra with a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a minimum of 12 credits post high school graduation.
- When can I join?
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Students are eligible for recruitment starting the second semester of their first year. Transfer students are eligible during their first semester at Hofstra if they meet the eligibility requirements. The fall semester is considered informal recruitment. This means there is no formal recruitment schedule, and each organization plans their own events. The spring semester is considered formal recruitment. This is when first-year students become eligible to join. Some organizations choose to work together during this semester to help ensure that interested students find the best fit for them.
- What are the benefits of joining a fraternity or sorority?
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Fraternity and sorority life has been a significant part of the undergraduate experience at Hofstra University since its founding in 1935. The University's continuing commitment to the fraternity and sorority community stems from the significant opportunities they provide for intellectual, cultural, and interpersonal growth. These values are at the core of everything the Hofstra fraternity and sorority community members strive for and integrate into their everyday lives. A community with these shared values can foster growth in character and enrich a student's intellectual, cultural, and interpersonal growth through leadership roles, academic achievements, and alumni networking and support.
- Is there a financial obligation?
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While the costs involved in fraternity and sorority membership varies by chapter, it is important to know that each organization has dues. These dues are for national headquarters' fees, chapter operating expenses, and event costs. The financial obligation may change from semester to semester, with additional costs such as initiation fees, pictures, shirts, or miscellaneous fees. Several chapters at Hofstra offer payment plans and scholarships for members who need financial assistance. While you're looking into joining a fraternity or sorority, make sure that you ask about the financial obligations of membership.
- What type of time commitment does membership require?
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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 education process. Once initiated, students can make their experience as extensive as they'd like. Some members spend many hours a week with their chapters participating in athletics, holding officer positions, or planning events, while others may limit their time to chapter meetings and events.
- What is recruitment?
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Recruitment is the period when an organization is identifying students who could potentially be future members. These students are commonly referred to as "Potential New Members," "PNMs," "Rushes," or "Interests."
- When is recruitment?
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The fall semester is considered “informal recruitment.” This means there is no formal recruitment schedule and each organization plans their own events. The spring semester is considered “formal recruitment.” This is when first-year students become eligible to join. Some organizations choose to work together during this semester to help ensure that interested students find the best fit for them.
- Do the chapters have houses? Will I have to live in the house?
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Fraternities and sororities at Hofstra University do not have recognized houses or residence hall floors. Therefore, there is no housing requirement.
- Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns?
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Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement or Public Safety with any questions or concerns.
Families
- What are the benefits of joining a fraternity or sorority?
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Fraternity and sorority life has been a significant part of the undergraduate experience at Hofstra University since its founding in 1935. The University's continuing commitment to the fraternity and sorority community stems from the significant opportunities they provide for intellectual, cultural, and interpersonal growth. These values are at the core of everything the Hofstra fraternity and sorority community members strive for and integrate into their everyday lives. A community with these shared values can foster growth in character and enrich a student's intellectual, cultural, and interpersonal growth through leadership roles, academic achievements, and alumni networking and support.
- Is there a financial obligation?
-
While the costs involved in fraternity and sorority membership varies by chapter, it is important to know that each organization does dues. These dues are for national headquarters' fees, chapter operating expenses, and event costs. The financial obligation may change from semester to semester, with additional costs such as initiation fees, pictures, shirts, or fees. Several chapters at Hofstra offer payment plans and scholarships for members who need financial assistance. While your student is looking into joining a fraternity or sorority make sure that they ask about the financial obligations of membership.
- What type of time commitment does membership require?
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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 education process. Once initiated, students can make their experience as extensive as they like. Some members spend many hours a week with their chapters participating in athletics, holding officer positions, or planning events, while others may limit their time to chapter meetings and events.
- What about alcohol and drugs?
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The Policy on Alcohol, Illegal Drugs, and Other Controlled Substances is intended to further the educational mission of Hofstra University. Hofstra, in accordance with the P.R.I.D.E. Principles, is committed to fostering a campus community whereby everyone is responsible for their own actions and is expected to respect the rights of others to participate in the academic and social life of the University. Consistent with its educational mission, the University sponsors programs for students regarding the misperceptions about alcohol use among college students, to promote open, honest dialogue about alcohol use and abuse, and to increase awareness of the physical, psychological, social, and behavioral effects of alcohol consumption. The policy emphasizes individual and shared responsibility, healthy and informed decision-making, and a caring University environment. All students are expected to be familiar with the Policy on Alcohol, Illegal, and Other Controlled Substances.
- What about hazing?
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Hofstra considers hazing to be a serious infraction of University policy. Hofstra recognizes that membership in an organization can be a meaningful experience in conjunction with other aspects of the educational process. Unfortunately, however, membership or prospective membership in an organization is sometimes accompanied by a wrongful activity commonly known as "hazing." Hazing is a violation of the Penal Law and other laws of the state of New York, as well as the general regulations of the University. Accordingly, the University hereby reaffirms its policy that it will not condone hazing of any kind. To this end, any student, faculty member, staff member, visitor, licensee, or invitee who engages in hazing may be removed from the campus and, where appropriate, shall be subject to suspension, expulsion, or other disciplinary action.
- Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns?
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Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Student Leadership & Engagement or Public Safety with any questions or concerns.
- Do the organizations have housing requirements?
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Fraternities and sororities at Hofstra do not have housing or housing requirements.
- My student is interested in a group that is not listed as a recognized organization. Why is it not affiliated with Hofstra?
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Regretfully, in the past, organizations have been removed or have chosen to leave the Hofstra community. As such, Hofstra University cannot continue to support these groups. If you believe that your student is joining an unrecognized organization, please contact the Office of Student Leadership & Engagement.
Current Members
- I am a new member. Do I need to attend any trainings?
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Yes! As a new member, you are required to attend the Emerging Greek Leaders (EGL) program. EGL is a one-day conference where you will learn leadership skills and more about the greater fraternity/sorority community. Details about this training will be announced each semester when available.
- I have just been elected to my executive board. Do I need to attend any trainings?
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Yes! As a member of your executive board, you are required to attend a New Executive Board Training organized by the Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life. New Executive Board Training is held at the beginning of each semester.
You are also required to attend a Title IX training each academic year. These trainings are organized by the Title IX Officer for Student Issues. Details about the trainings will be announced each semester when available.
- I am not an executive board member. Do I need to attend any trainings?
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Yes! All members of a fraternity or sorority are required to attend the Healthy Relationships Workshop during the spring semester. Details about the event will be announced when available.
- Can I join another fraternity or sorority?
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If you are a member of an IFC, CPH, or MFSC organization, you are not eligible for membership in any other IFC, CPH, or MFSC organizations. However, you are eligible to also hold membership in a PFC organization.
- What if I no longer wish to be a member of my organization?
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Occasionally, students feel it necessary to disaffiliate from their organizations for various reasons. Students may disaffiliate at any time by speaking with the chapter advisor, chapter president, or educator. Some organizations may hold an "exit interview," require paperwork, or ask for items to be returned, such as letters, manuals, or membership pins. In most cases, any money that has been paid to the group cannot be refunded.
The Office of Student Leadership & Engagement will require disaffiliating students to have a short meeting with the Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life to complete a Membership Disaffiliation Report.