Student Handbook - Butler University

tions, let you play on that winning intramural team and give you a group of friends that will cheer you on
when you're successful and who will support you when the going gets tough.
How do I join?
Butler Greeks participate in deferred recruitment, meaning that the membership process is deferred until
at least the second semester of a student’s freshman year. The IFC and Panhellenic Association formal recruitment
processes start before the beginning of the spring semester and are open to all students who have
achieved the required academic minimum during the fall semester. Participation requirements for formal
recruitment can be found in the formal recruitment guides or on the Greek Life and Orientation Programs
web site, www.butler.edu/greek-life. City-wide NPHC organizations also require potential members to have
successfully completed a minimum number of hours with a required minimum GPA.
During panhellenic formal recruitment, the mutual selection process starts with a tour of all of the sorority
chapter houses on the first day. Beginning the second day, chapter events are by invitation only. Potential
members are instructed as to the number of invitations they may accept per day. Following the last recruitment
event on the fourth day (Preference Night), each woman will select the organizations from which she
would be willing to accept an invitation to join (bid). The list of each potential member’s choices and each
chapter’s bids are entered into a computer program and the results are distributed the following day, Bid
Day.
Men's formal recruitment follows a similar format. The first day is comprised of tours of the chapter
houses. During this time, each potential member begins the process of meeting chapter members and gaining
a better understanding of the chapter's values and expectations. The other three days are devoted to meeting
more of the brotherhood and learning about each chapter’s programs and values. Fraternity chapters issue
invitations to join on Bid Day.
Some fraternities and sororities will be looking for members in the fall. Please remember that only second
semester freshmen and upper-class students are able to participate in fall open recruitment. A list of recruitment
chairpersons is available in the office of Greek life and orientation programs as well as an open recruitment
events calendar listing all of the functions for each chapter occurring during the fall semester.
Membership selection for the NPHC chapters is independent of IFC and Panhellenic Association formal
recruitment. The process has different stages and is not completed within just a few days. For more information,
contact the director of Greek life and orientation programs.
Joining a Greek organization is a lifelong commitment and needs to be taken seriously. You need to ask
questions and find out what the chapters value most. It is important to ask questions about what each chapter
will expect in regards to time requirements, financial commitments and academic expectations. You have
every right to know this information before joining any of the organizations.
Do members need to have certain GPAs?
To participate in formal recruitment, students must have successfully completed a minimum of 12
hours with a 2.75 average for panhellenic recruitment or a 2.3 average for IFC recruitment.
Each chapter, including NPHC chapters, has academic guidelines that can affect pledge/associate and active
membership status. To find out each chapter’s specific GPA, please contact the director of Greek life and orientation
programs.
If I join a housed chapter, when do I move in?
All first year students are required to spend their first year in one of the residence halls or qualify for
commuter status. Sophomores and juniors are also required to live in the residence halls or have commuter
status unless they affiliate with a Greek organization and live in their respective chapter house. Upper-class
students or transfer students who pledge/associate with a Greek organization may have the option to move
into the chapter house for the spring semester if space is available.
Who are the house directors?
Having a house director is a university requirement for all Greek chapter housing. House directors are
hired by the respective alumni/ae house corporation board and are responsible for much of the house management.
Their duties can include menu planning, bookkeeping, budgeting, household maintenance and
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