Frequently Asked Questions
What is fraternity all about?
Fraternity membership encourages the values of loyalty, scholarship and service. Fraternities create a foundation of leadership and responsibility that will help their members succeed in life’s endeavors. The bond that is established between members of a fraternity will last throughout life, in times of celebration and tribulation. Fraternities develop their members into the leaders of tomorrow by challenging them to excel both academically and socially. Fraternities do not make a man a different person but rather the best version of himself.
What’s a PNM?
A PNM is a Potential New Member. IFC fraternity interested students are known as PNMs until they are offered a bid or membership invitation. After accepting a membership invitation, students become new members.
What is a Rho Alpha?
Rho Alphas help guide potential new members through the fall recruitment process. These men serve as mentors to potential new members and can be looked to for impartial and balanced advice. PNMs will receive information on their Rho Alpha about 1 week prior to formal recruitment.
What is the IFC Executive Board?
The IFC Executive Board is the governing umbrella of the 16 IFC fraternities. It is made up of eight fraternity men who are elected by the chapter presidents. Applications and the interview process for selection occur in fall each year.
When is 2024 IFC Formal Recruitment?
2024 IFC Formal Recruitment: August 22th-August 30th
Where can I register for 2024 IFC Formal Recruitment?
Find more information of recruitment registration here.
How much does it cost to register for 2024 IFC Formal Recruitment?
May 1st-August 1st: $200
*Students must be registered and have paid the registration fee before the deadline to participate in formal recruitment. There are no exceptions nor refunds.
How do I know if the Interfraternity Council has received my online registration form?
You should receive a confirmation email once you click “Submit” when registering online. If you don’t receive confirmation, first double check your “spam” or “junk” folder then please email ifc@olemiss.edu
I forgot something on my application or my residence hall location has changed. How do I update my application?
Log back into Campus Director with the log-in information you created, and edit your application. Information on file with the University like your residence hall, GPA and hometown will be uploaded the Friday following your registration by Fraternity & Sorority Life.
When I try to log into my Formal Recruitment Registration a receive a message that says “stale request”
We aren’t really sure why this happens but to fix it you simply need to clear your browsers history or use a different browser. If you still have issues please contact our Assistant Director, Spencer Laiben at splaiben@olemiss.edu.
What is a letter of recommendation? Do I really need one?
A recommendation is a personal letter of reference written by an alumnus of a fraternity to introduce a potential new member to his fraternity. Recommendation letters are not required to go through recruitment, but they are helpful in the recruitment process. You may send more than one letter of recommendation if you wish. DO NOT include transcripts or test scores with your recommendation letters. Fraternities will receive your overall GPA before recruitment begins; therefore, transcripts are not necessary.
Where do I send the letters of recommendation?
Please send each completed recommendation to the fraternity electronically. You can find the email addresses here. Do not send recommendations to Fraternity & Sorority Life.
Can I go through Formal Recruitment as an upperclassman?
Yes. Most PNMs may be first-year students, but upperclassmen also are encouraged to register.
Do dual enrollment hours from high school count toward collegiate credit hours?
No. Collegiate credit hours are those solely those taken following one’s high school graduation.
Is there a required GPA to receive a membership invitation through Formal Recruitment and Open Bidding?
Yes. The Interfraternity Council requires first semester, first year PNMs to have a 2.70/4.0 cumulative high school GPA to participate in Formal Recruitment, receive a membership invitation, and be initiated. However, if a PNM has 12 or more collegiate credit hours, that PNM will be considered a collegiate student and will need to have a 2.70/4.0 overall collegiate GPA to participate in Formal Recruitment, receive a membership invitation, and be initiated.
During Open Bidding the same standards apply. First year PNMs must have a 2.70/4.0 cumulative high school GPA to receive a membership invitation and to be initiated. However, if a PNM has 12 or more collegiate credit hours, that PNM will be considered a collegiate student and will need to have a 2.70/4.0 overall collegiate GPA to receive a membership invitation and to be initiated.
Fraternity & Sorority Life accesses the Office of Admissions’ system to receive GPAs. Therefore, it is imperative that PNMs ensure that the most accurate transcript is on file with Admissions. Remember to submit your final transcripts to the Office of Admissions after graduation so your cumulative GPA can be updated.
If you have questions regarding your cumulative GPA, consult with your high school guidance counselor first to ensure the high school is reporting your cumulative GPA correctly. Again, all students must maintain a cumulative 2.70 GPA to be initiated into a fraternity.
What if I don’t have a 2.70 GPA to be eligible?
Students that do not have the required 2.70 high school GPA or 2.70 collegiate GPA (if they have taken 12 or more collegiate credit hours following their high school graduation) are unable to participate in Formal Recruitment.
What is a “Pre Bid” and what do I do if I am offered one by a chapter before Recruitment week?
A “pre-bid” is not guaranteed until the Bid Card is signed by both the chapter president and head recruitment chair and turned into the IFC office on Bid Day in the Fall. “Pre Bids” can easily be taken away at any time during the summer or during Recruitment week, so we ask that you keep an open mind when going through Formal Recruitment and to not “suicide” one chapter because you were promised a “pre-bid.” We recommend that you do not “accept” a “pre bid” on the spot and simply “table it” until Round 4 of Recruitment week where you will select which bid you choose to accept.
How do I obtain information about Formal Recruitment once I get to the University of Mississippi?
Read through this website, follow IFC on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for updates. Rho Alpha (recruitment advisors) will be available during recruitment events to answer questions. Also, feel free to email IFC at ifc@olemiss.edu
IFC Recruitment Guide: https://www.ifcrecruitmentguide.com/
What if I am going to miss or be late for an event during Formal Recruitment?
Potential New Members are required to attend all Formal Recruitment Events unless they have an excused absence. PNMs will be emailed a form to inform the Interfraternity Council of any classes and other obligations so the Rho Alphas will know when you will be late to or absent from a party. Please note, per the PNM Code of Conduct, PNMs who miss an event and fail to submit an absence form risk being removed from Formal Recruitment.
Why is it so expensive to join a fraternity? Where is the money going?
The dues for each fraternity vary from chapter to chapter. However, dues are most commonly used on meals, staff salaries, chapter house maintenance, social events, international and local dues, educational programming, leadership development and materials, and community service projects. You can find estimated financial information for each chapter in the IFC Recruitment Guide https://www.ifcrecruitmentguide.com/
Be sure to ask specific questions about finances during recruitment!
I’m concerned someone I know is being hazed. Who can I tell?
Fraternity & Sorority Life encourages you to inform Conflict Resolution and Student Conduct at 662-915-1387 if you have any information related to hazing incidents. You may also fill out this confidential, online hazing report. Hazing can also be reported anonymously at 1-888-NOT-HAZE (1-888-668-4293). Neither IFC nor the University of Mississippi condones hazing in any form.
If chapters are overseen by their national organization, who does IFC report to?
The University of Mississippi Interfraternity Council reports to the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life.
Once I join a fraternity, will I be able to eat meals at the chapter house?
The University of Mississippi requires all freshmen to have a university meal plan. Students can choose any meal plan that works best for them.
When students join a fraternity or sorority, their membership dues include meals at the house, when available. Typically this is breakfast, lunch and dinner, Monday-Friday, with dinner not available on Fridays and no meals on Saturday or Sunday. If students are members of a fraternity or sorority in the spring semester of their freshman year, there is an opportunity for them to switch to a Greek meal plan, which you can learn more about here. For more information about meal plans, view the Dining FAQs or contact Ole Miss Dining Services.
Is it difficult to balance fraternity life and academics?
Time management is the key. Many fraternity men are able to manage fraternity responsibilities, jobs or internships, academics and involvement in other campus organizations. If you are interested in joining a fraternity but have concerns about the time commitment, feel free to ask members during recruitment how they balance their time!
How will I know which organization is right for me?
Each fraternity has its own mission, creed and values that it lives by; however, overall, IFC organizations strive to provide members with friendship, opportunities for personal growth/development and fun. To choose a chapter that is right for you, you should do some research, attend IFC recruitment events and visit organizations’ social media pages. Formal recruitment is a process designed to allow you and the chapters to decide on the best fit. As you go through the process, be sure to keep an open mind, ask questions, and be yourself!
My question isn’t answered here or I need more clarification
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to the IFC Executive Board at ifc@olemiss.edu or Fraternity & Sorority Life at greeks@olemiss.edu. You can also call our office at 662-915-7609.