»Greek Life Parents

Students will receive information from the Interfraternity Council (IFC), Panhellenic Council (PHC), and United Greek Council (UGC) throughout the year about recruitment (also known as “intake” for UGC organizations).

• Fraternity recruitment typically occurs during the third and fourth week of each semester.
• Formal sorority recruitment is held in January before spring classes begin.
• UGC organizations host interest sessions throughout the year, with each chapter managing its own membership process.

Students can visit the Student Engagement office (Argyros Forum 303) or email greeklife@chapman.edu to learn more.

Fraternities and sororities offer students a supportive community focused on academic achievement, leadership, service, and social connection. Membership helps students develop time management, public speaking, financial responsibility, and teamwork skills, many of which are highly valued beyond college.

Greek Life is also a robust leadership pipeline: many student government leaders and campus organization officers are members of fraternities and sororities.

Take the time to learn more about the Chapman University fraternity and sorority community. As a parent, you should be involved in helping your student make the most appropriate and informed decision. Ask the following questions to your son or daughter as they look for their organization:

• What is expected of a student in your fraternity or sorority?
• What type of member is your chapter looking for?
• What leadership opportunities will my student have as both a new and active member?
• What specific social opportunities will my student have by joining your organization?
• What community service and philanthropy opportunities will my student participate in?
• What does your chapter do to make sure that my students’ grades stay a priority?
• What are the annual or semester dues for your organization?
• What values does your organization promote?
• Is your organization officially recognized by Chapman? If not, why?

Academic success is a top priority for organizations. Each chapter usually has an academic chair who supports members in achieving their academic goals. Greek members at Chapman often have an average GPA above the all-student average. To view the most recent grade reports and to learn more about each chapter's achievements, click here.

The lifelong friendships that your son or daughter creates from their membership in a fraternity or sorority can last well into their post-college years. Many alumni often say their best friends are brothers or sisters they met while in college. Chances are, wherever your student ends up after college, he or she will be able to find a network of alumni or members of their chapter in the area. Fraternities and sororities have a network of alumni worldwide that can assist in job searching, acquiring internships, or acclimating to a new area of the world.

The fraternity and sorority experience is an investment. The leadership skills, academic assistance, and friendships will benefit your student well beyond their college years. Membership fees go toward various programming that positively impacts your student and his or her education.

Each chapter has a different financial structure, which is presented to them before or during the recruitment process. Please encourage your student to ask questions about chapter finances before joining. Fraternities and sororities do not have official chapter housing at Chapman, and therefore, the cost of membership does not require the often expensive rent for upkeep of a chapter house.

The commitment varies from chapter to chapter but the first semester in the organization is often the most time intensive as a new member learns about their new fraternity or sorority while balancing the rest of their personal and academic calendar. The time spent during the first semester will provide a framework upon which to build leadership and time management skills, learn more about the history of their organization, develop friendships and allow them to become involved with other organizations.

After your student’s initiation into the chapter, their involvement level will vary. Opportunities for expanded leadership, community service and philanthropy, academic programming, and social activities are a few of the time commitments that your student will face throughout the semester. Each week chapters have meetings that your student is expected to attend where the organization makes decisions and discuss upcoming programs, services and events.

Greek Life includes various events such as educational workshops, philanthropy, service projects, scholarship events, and Chapman traditions like Greek Week and SKIT. Chapters are expected to follow strict risk management policies that align with university, local, state, and national guidelines to ensure student safety.

Hazing is strictly prohibited at Chapman University and under California law. All recognized fraternities and sororities follow anti-hazing policies set by the university and their national organizations.

If you have concerns, please contact the Program Coordinator for Fraternity & Sorority Life or the Dean of Students Office. You can also review Chapman’s hazing policy here.