Parent Information

Congratulations on your child’s acceptance to EIU! We are excited about their interest in becoming a member of our outstanding Greek community. EIU’s Greek system is a member of a 17-state regional – Mid-American Interfraternity and Panhellenic Council Association.

Our councils are dedicated to achieving greatness and creating well-rounded individuals through their involvement in educational, philanthropic, and social events.

The outstanding FSL community continues to develop, grow, and serve others – on campus and within the community. Going Greek gives your child the opportunity to augment the college experience with lessons not taught in the classroom while forming lifelong friendships.

If you have any questions regarding EIU's fraternity and sorority life community, please contact Nathan Wehr, Director of Leadership & Engagement at 217-581-3967 or njwehr@eiu.edu

Recruitment

Recruitment is a time of mutual selection between students and chapters. Not only do the Greek organizations select new members, but your son or daughter selects a chapter with which they wish to be affiliated. Recruitment events for IFC and PHC chapters at EIU are alcohol-free and held during the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) chapters have intake processes that take place during the spring semester.
At the end of recruitment activities, the chapters extend formal written invitations (bids). If a student chooses to accept the bid, he/she is then affiliated with the chapter. Nonetheless, students who choose to participate in recruitment activities are under no obligation to join a Greek organization.

Recruitment & Intake

Joining

Once a student decides to accept a bid from a Greek chapter, he or she is oriented to the chapter through meetings, philanthropic work, social events, and study hours/sessions. Programs are required to be structured so as to not interfere with academic responsibilities. During this orientation period, chapters designate new members differently – either as associates or new members. New member education should be informative and fun; therefore EIU does not tolerate any form of physical or mental hazing. EIU, national Greek organizations, and the State of Illinois prohibit hazing.

Membership

Research shows that involved college students are more likely to graduate and report greater satisfaction with their overall college experience. Membership in a Greek organization often opens doors to other involvement and leadership roles on campus. Many Student Government leaders and officers of numerous other organizations are members of the Greek community. These leaders can lend advice and a helping hand to new members interested in pursuing active leadership roles on campus. Not only does Greek life increase awareness of campus-wide involvement opportunities, but there is also an abundance of leadership opportunities within each chapter and the respective Greek councils. The Greek experience fosters responsibility, and accountability, and challenges students to maximize their potential.

Academics

Academics are the foundation for success, and chapters stress their importance from recruitment through graduation. Greek life provides academic resources and incentives including, but not limited to scholarship awards, study sessions, and tutoring assistance. Many chapters and national Greek organizations recognize and reward members’ scholastic excellence. Additionally, data shows that members of Greek life are more likely to complete their degrees and have higher GPAs than their non-Greek counterparts.

Community Service

Community service and philanthropic projects provide chapter members with the opportunity to support many causes. Chapters support both the local and national charitable organizations from the Charleston Morton Park Playground Fund to the American Heart Association. Greeks work together on projects not only to serve the community but also to foster personal growth and greater unity among the Greek community. The Eastern Illinois University Fraternity and Sorority community has developed a special relationship with the Jefferson Elementary School here in Charleston and has raised over $10,000 for the school for new computers and equipment for the music department. They donate thousands of dollars each year to St. Jude Children's Hospital and the Muscular Dystrophy Association as a community. On top of that, the total number of hours donated and the total amount of money raised by individual chapters continue to grow every year.

Friendship

Greek life gives life to indescribable bonds and friendships between members of a chapter. Members of a Greek organization - while maintaining their unique identity - share similar interests, values, and morals with their brothers/sisters in their chapter. Sisterhood and brotherhood are fostered as members live, serve, work, compete, and have fun together throughout their time in college. These friendships aren’t just four years; they’re for life!

Social

There is never a dull moment in Greek life! Becoming a member of a chapter opens the door to new, fun experiences. While fraternity/sorority social and recreational opportunities help strengthen the bonds of friendship within a chapter, they are also great chances to meet a variety of new people – both Greek and non-Greek. Fraternity and sorority members enjoy functions, date parties, formal dances, and more! EIU’s Greek community values tradition and students look forward to participating in yearly events such as Homecoming, Greek Week, and philanthropy events.

Intramurals

Every year Greek students with a love for sports and a competitive drive participate in EIU’s Intramural Sports Program. Chapters form teams and partake in sports such as flag football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and many more! In the intramural arena, sororities and fraternities compete against one another and non-Greek students in a friendly, fun, and non-threatening environment.

EIU Intramurals

Alumni Involvement

Greek alumni/ae play a major role in advising chapters. Each chapter has at least one advisor and a house corporation that helps with the day-to-day operations of the chapter. They meet regularly as members of the Alumni Inter-Greek Council, which provides networking and resources for efficient chapter management.

Financial Responsibility

Since the inception of Greek organizations, they have been self-sufficient. Each chapter and subsequent national office collects dues and membership fees from every member. Most chapters have a one-time pledge and initiation fee, plus semester dues. These fees vary depending on the chapter. While going through recruitment, each student can ask about specific chapter fees. Many chapters offer members semester payment plans to best accommodate their financial situation.

Financial Information

A Family's Role

As a parent, you will have many questions concerning your student's involvement in a Greek organization. Be supportive and learn as much as you can by asking questions of your son or daughter throughout the recruitment process. Once your student is a member of a Greek organization, there are many opportunities for you to share in this aspect of their college life. Almost all of the chapters on campus host events such as family weekends or special mother/father functions. Chapters recognize that when your student comes to college, you, as a parent, also become a part of the EIU family! Ask questions and get involved!

Housing

EIU’s Greek organizations are provided a unique living situation compared to other Greek communities across the nation. Greek Court provides groups of individual chapter houses where members hold meetings, host events and live “suite style” among their brothers/sisters. EIU is happy to provide housing for chapters which free members of many worries and costs associated with running an independent household. Maintenance, repairs, and dining services are of no concern to members as they are covered by the University. Also, chapter members – and parents – can have peace of mind knowing an on-site director is present to ensure safety, assist with chapter programming, and support day-to-day activities. Students who live in Greek Court are provided the same opportunities as students who live in the residence halls and pay room and board fees on their student accounts. While each Panhellenic sorority is located in Greek Court, a few Interfraternity chapters still hold houses off-campus where members learn the roles of independently running a household. These chapters vary in how many members reside in the house and share bedrooms.

Greek Court

Hazing Policy

Hazing is any act or situation on or off campus, initiated, planned, sanctioned, or joined in by one or more persons associated with an athletic team or student organization, causing embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule to, or which involves participation in a Code violation or an illegal act by, or which causes or places in danger of causing physical or mental harm to, any member or any student affiliated with the organization. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact the Office of Leadership and Engagement at 217-581-3967.

Full Hazing Policy

Fraternity & Sorority Life