Fraternity and Sorority Life

Fraternity & Sororities are values-based organizations that provide lifelong friendships, academic support, networking, civic engagement, and leadership opportunities for their members. The fraternity & sorority life community offers a home away from home. Membership in a fraternity or sorority is a life-changing experience for individuals who choose to join. Chapter members develop a unique bond of brotherhood, sisterhood, and siblinghood while sharing their values and goals. These friendships last beyond the collegiate years and are nurtured through alumni networking activities and programs that provide opportunities for continued camaraderie, service and personal growth.

The Fraternity & Sorority Life team oversees recruitment operations and provides ongoing educational programming opportunities to members of the community. Our fraternity & sorority community helps students to feel more connected to the university, establish a sense of belonging, and develop critical skills to undergraduate and career success.

At Appalachian State University, there are four governing councils who oversee the fraternity & sorority life community: Interfraternity Council (IFC), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and Panhellenic Council (PHC).

Interfraternity Council

The Interfraterinty Council was established at Appalachian State University in 1973 as the governing body of the men's social fraternities. The IFC promotes scholarship, community service, social development, public relations, personal development, risk management, and cooperation among the men's organizations.

Multicultural Greek Council

The Multicultural Greek Council at Appalachian State University was officially established in 2019. The purpose of MGC is to provide a council for Greek organizations that contribute specifically to diversity and inclusion on our campus. MGC serves as the governing body and network for multiculturally based Greek organizations to create and maintain high standards in the life of fraternities and sororities.

National Pan-Hellenic Council

The National Pan-Hellenic Council was established at Howard University in 1930 with the purpose of serving as the national coordinating body for the nine historically African-American sororities and fraternities. The purpose of NPHC is to provide service-oriented activities for the surrounding communities and the campus community, respectively; to serve as a liaison between member organizations and the University Administration; and to preside over disputes between member organizations.

Panhellenic Council

The Panhellenic Council The Panhellenic Council (PHC) is the governing body for its 9 member organizations. PHC consists of an Executive Board, featuring a delegate and two representatives for each of the ten sororities on Appalachian State University's campus. PHC helps to unify the individual chapters and make the sorority community stronger.

To be eligible for IFC fraternity recruitment/membership, a first-semester student must enter with a 3.0 high school GPA. Upperclassmen must have completed twelve hours at Appalachian and have a minimum GPA of 2.7.

NPHC and MGC organizations require students to have completed their first semester of college and have at least 2.5 to 2.75. It is important to remember that individual fraternities and sororities may require higher academic eligibility requirements.

There are no GPA requirements to participate in Panhellenic formal recruitment, but each chapter has their own set of academic requirements. These requirements are typically a 2.7 college GPA or a 3.0 high school GPA for first-year students.

The fraternity & sorority life community at Appalachian State University strives for academic excellence and improved scholastic achievement. Each chapter has established a grade point average that each member must maintain to remain in good standing with the organization. Chapters also offer academic assistance to their members, such as study halls and peer tutoring. Every chapter understands that their members are students first and provide recognition to those who excel and improve their academic standing.

Fraternities and Sororities that are recognized by the University are in good standing with the University and are closely monitored, advised, and supported by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and the Office of Campus Activities. Recognized organizations are able to participate in a wide range of activities such as Greek Week, Formal Recruitment, FSL Leadership Summit, etc., and have many campus resources available to them including campus facilities.

Unrecognized organizations are no longer associated with the University. They have been removed for failure to uphold standards, social misconduct, and/or hazing. The unrecognized Fraternity or Sorority no longer receives support or advisement from the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Unrecognized organizations are unable to utilize campus resources or facilities, participate in FSL programs, or work with the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Unrecognized Fraternities and Sororities are not allowed to have social functions with any of the recognized Fraternities and Sororities. Their recruitment and new member activities are not monitored, nor are their social events. Unrecognized Fraternities and Sororities are not held accountable to the campus Fraternity and Sorority Life policies or regulations. Most organizations that have their recognition removed by the University also have their National recognition removed.

Commitment to the principles, values, and standards, for which the inter/national organization was founded upon. Participation in chapter activities such as meetings, educational/leadership programs, community service events, and social activities. Payment of dues each semester is required to remain in good standing.

Each organization is self-supported through dues charged to all members. In the first year of membership, a few one-time expenses are assessed. After those initial payments are made, the only recurring expenses should be annual or semester dues. Many organizations offer payment plans to assist their members.

Membership requires a substantial time commitment from every member. However, the more time a member spends with other members in their organization and at chapter activities, the more benefits they will receive from their membership. Just like any other activity, the amount of time and energy you put into your organization, the more you will get out of the experience.

Most organizations require members to have additional club or organization involvement to maintain a well-rounded experience, and most students are able to balance these and their academic obligations, in addition to part-time work. A good rule of thumb is that for most students at AppState, one to three involvements are manageable. You could consider fraternity/sorority membership to be 1.5 to 2 commitments.

Appalachian State University does not have Fraternity or Sorority Housing on campus and off-campus fraternity housing (i.e. live-outs, annexes, etc.) are not recognized by the University.

Appalachian State University, The State of North Carolina, Office of Campus Activities, and The Interfraternity, Panhellenic, Multicultural Greek, and National Pan-Hellenic Councils do not tolerate or encourage any activities that may constitute hazing. For details and definitions, please review our information regarding hazing.

The Fraternity and Sorority Community at Appalachian State University values scholarship and academic excellence. In order to help chapters reach their fullest potential, the Office for Fraternity and Sorority Life works with the executive councils to hold fraternities and sororities responsible for their grades. Grade reports for individual semesters are available for download.