About Us
Fraternity and Sorority Life is a dynamic community of 1,000+ members. The community comprises more than 40 national and international fraternities and sororities. These organizations contribute to campus life and surrounding communities by hosting educational, service, and social events. They set high academic standards and provide opportunities for campus involvement, networking, and leadership development.
Click Here to learn more about Mason’s Fraternities and Sororities and upcoming recruitment events!
Each semester we update each chapter’s scorecard with information about the chapter, awards received, and the chapter’s health – based off of self-reported information and institutional data. Chapter scorecards are available through the the Chapters & Council section.
How To Join
Want to learn more about Mason’s Fraternities and Sororities?
Complete this interest form to receive information about upcoming fraternity and sorority events
Community-Wide Recruitment/Intake Events
Glance Into Greek – RSVP Here
Wednesday Aug 27 from 4pm – 7pm on Wilkins Plaza
Come meet our fraternity and sorority members and learn more about our organizations and how to join them!
Get Connected Fair – RSVP Here
Wednesday Sep 3 from 11am – 2pm on Wilkins Plaza
Explore Mason’s Student Organizations and discover how to get involved at the Get Connected Fair! This is our largest involvement fair with 400+ Student Organizations in attendance!
Council Specific Recruitment/Intake Information
Interfraternity Council (IFC) | Fraternities
Chapter Specific Recruitment Events
All Interfraternity Council Fraternities will be hosting recruitment events throughout the beginning of the semester. Events will be posted on Mason360 and on each organizations social media accounts.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) | Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities
National Pan Hellenic Council intake processes and timelines are determined by each chapter.
NPHC 101 Information Session
TBA
The National Pan-Hellenic Council will be hosting an information session for interested students to learn more about our Historically Black Fraternities and Sororities at Mason and how to join them! Attendance is required to join a NPHC organization.
Chapter Specific Recruitment/Intake Events
Information for National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations that will be hosting intake activities throughout the semester will be posted on Mason360, on each organizations social media accounts, and around campus.
Panhellenic Council (PHC) | Sororities
Panhellenic Recruitment Registration Link
Panhellenic First Day of Classes! – RSVP Here
Monday Aug 25, 3pm – 6pm, Johnson Center Atrium
Come meet the seven Panhellenic sorority chapters and learn more about the recruitment process!
Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment
Thursday Sept. 11 – Monday Sept. 15
- Sept. 11th: Recruitment Orientation, 7:30pm – 10pm
- Sept. 12th: Round 1 – Sisterhood, 3pm – 10pm
- Sept. 13th: Round 2 – Philanthropy, 12pm – 8pm
- Sept. 14th: Round 3 – Preference, 12pm – 6pm
- Sept. 15th: Bid Day, 5pm – 9pm
For more information about Panhellenic Recruitment visit Mason Panhellenic Council’s Website
United Greek Council (UGC) | Cultural/Identity Based Fraternities and Sororities
United Greek Council (UGC) intake & recruitment processes and timelines are determined by each chapter.
UGC 101 – RSVP Here
Wednesday Sep 3, 4pm, Dewberry Hall, Johnson Center
The United Greek Council will hold an information event for interested students to meet and learn about all of our chapters. Our members want to meet you and show you everything there is to know about the United Greek Council!
Chapter Specific Recruitment/Intake Events
Event information for United Greek Council Organizations that will be hosting recruitment/intake events throughout the beginning of the semester will be posted on Mason360 and on each organizations social media accounts.
Descriptions of each organization can be found on the Chapters & Councils page. Students from all backgrounds and identities are welcome to join any of our organizations.
Chapters and Councils
Mason’s sororities and fraternities are housed under four governing councils that provide coordination to their member chapters. Each governing council is unique in its operation and serves its chapters according to it’s own philosophy, purpose, and values.
Each semester we update each chapter’s scorecard with information about the chapter, awards received, and the chapter’s health – based off of self-reported information and institutional data. Click on a chapter’s name to access their scorecard.
INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL
Mason’s Interfraternity Council is comprised men’s fraternities committed to scholarship, service, leadership, and brotherhood. Recruitment for these organizations is informal and occurs during the Fall and Spring semesters. However, there is a week in September dedicated to informational and educational sessions to learn about Fraternity life and the organizations you can join.
UNITED GREEK COUNCIL
UGC at Mason governs the Cultural and Idenity Based Greek-Letter organizations. These organizations hold an intake process that occurs throughout the school year.
FRATERNITIES
SORORITIES
NATIONAL PAN-HELLENIC COUNCIL
NPHC coordinates the traditionally African-American nationally affiliated collegiate fraternal chapters. This council does not conduct formal recruitment, however informational and educational sessions for each organization are held throughout the year. At the beginning of the academic year Meet the Greeks is held to showcase NPHC and the organizations involved to give students a taste of what it can offer.
FRATERNITIES
SORORITIES
PANHELLENIC COUNCIL
George Mason PHC supports women’s fraternities and sororities focused on academic excellence, leadership, philanthropy, and sisterhood. The Panhellenic Council holds formal recruitment in September and individual chapters hold informal recruitment throughout the year.
Forms, Policies, and Reports
Forms
- Recruitment/Intake Information Form
- New Member Form
- Interest Group/Expansion/Extension Grade Release Form
Policies
- FSL Academic Policy
- FSL Recruitment/Intake/New Member Education Policies
- FSL Social Event Management Policy
- Standards of Excellence Outline
Community Reports
- Spring 2025 Community and Academic Report
- Fall 2024 Community and Academic Report
- Spring 2024 Community and Academic Report
- Fall 2023 Community and Academic Report
- Spring 2023 Community and Academic Report
- Fall 2022 Community and Academic Report
- Spring 2022 Community and Academic Report
- Fall 2021 Community and Academic Report
Events Calendar
Resources
Social Event Management
- North-American Interfraternity Council Health and Safety Resources
- Holmes Murphy
- Alcohol
- Event Planning
- Health & Safety
- Social Event Planning
- HM Event Planner App
- Available on Apple Store & Google Play
Hazing Prevention Resources
FAQs
Is Fraternity and Sorority life for everyone?
We think it is! There is a place for anyone who truly wants to be part of our community. The chapters range in values, missions, ritual, and personalities. We encourage you to educate yourself on the Fraternity and Sorority Life community, as well as the numerous opportunities for involvement in other campus organizations.
How can I become a member of a fraternity or sorority?
Membership is based on leadership, civic engagement, and academics. Fraternities and sororities host membership recruitment events and information sessions during the fall and spring semesters. The events and information sessions provide an opportunity to explore the organizations and a chance to get to know the members.
Does it cost to join a fraternity/sorority?
There are dues and fees associated with membership in fraternity and sorority life. For organizations within the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council dues range from around $350 – $500 per semester. Organizations within the National Pan-Hellenic Council and United Greek Council typically have a larger upfront costs, ranging from $500 – $1,000, and then lower semester dues.
What are the benefits of membership in a fraternity or sorority?
Members of the fraternity and sorority community find benefits in many different ways. For some, the lifetime friendships and group experience are invaluable. For others, the focus on academics, the leadership development opportunities and community service are important. Either way joining a fraternity or sorority will have lasting positive benefits that suit all students that join!
Can I join a historically Black or Multicultural fraternity or sorority if I am not Black or Multicultural?
Fraternities and sororities prohibit discrimination and membership is open to men and women who meet the membership qualifications defined by the organizations and the University.
Does the University support the fraternity and sorority community?
The fraternity and sorority community is advised by two (2) full-time Mason staff members and graduate assistants. The organizations receive guidance and support on academics, leadership development and compliance with the University and Inter/National policies. The community also has access to financial resources, meeting space, and chapter advising that Mason provides to all recognized student organizations.
What is hazing?
Hazing is a broad term that encompasses a multitude of actions or activities. The term hazing refers to any actions or activities that do not contribute to the positive development of a person or an organization; which cause mental or physical harm; or which subject individuals to harassment, embarrassment, ridicule, or distress. Examples of situations that are considered hazing include but are not limited to tests of endurance, physical abuse, psychological abuse, morally degrading or humiliating activities, forced ingestion of any substance, activities which interfere with academic pursuits, and servitude. Hazing is typically associated with membership selection and initiation into an organization. It is possible for hazing to occur before, during and after membership selection and initiation.
Hazing in any form is strictly prohibited. George Mason University will investigate all hazing allegations. Individuals and organizations found in violation of the Mason hazing policy will be sanctioned and turned over to the proper law enforcement agency. If you believe you have been a victim of hazing or know someone who has been a victim, contact the Student Involvement Office at (703) 993-2909.
FSL Terminology
Fraternity and Sorority Life Terminology
Active
A member who has been initiated into a fraternity or sorority and is actively involved at the collegiate level
Alumni
Initiated fraternity or sorority members who have graduated from college and have remained in good standing with their organization
Bid
A formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority
Chapter
A campus-based branch of a national sorority or fraternity
Charter
An official document that establishes a new chapter of a sorority or fraternity and grants recognition from the national fraternity or sorority
Council
A governing body (IFC, UGC, NPHC, or PHC) that oversees and coordinates the activities and policies of the fraternities or sororities on campus
Crossing
The ceremony during which new members of multicultural and NPHC organizations become active, life-long members of their organization
Dues
The monetary costs of membership in a fraternity or sorority. These fees are used to cover costs related to chapter operations, social events, philanthropic endeavors, educational programs, and other chapter expenses
Founders’ Day
A celebration held by sororities and fraternities to commemorate the establishment and founding of their organization and celebrate its history.
Hand Signs
Signs that only an organization’s members can “throw up.” Most signs are very symbolic of an organization or an official symbol.
Hazing
Hazing is any activity that is expected or required of someone to join or maintain status within a group that humiliates, degrades, or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person’s willingness to participate. These acts are not tolerated at George Mason University and are in direct violation of GMU’s anti-hazing policy as well as state and federal law
Initiation
A ceremony in which new members are granted lifelong membership privileges in the organization to which they have decided to join.
Legacy
Each organization has its own concept of what it means to be a “legacy.” It is commonly characterized as an initiated member’s immediate family member, such as a sister/brother or daughter/son. Some organizations consider extended family members to be legacies as well.
Line
A term used by culturally based and NPHC organizations to describe a group of new members who were initiated at the same time, similar to those in the same pledge class. They are the organization’s potential new members. Lines are frequently given names.
Line Name/Number
A prospective/new member’s nickname that reflects them as a person, usually a noun, adjective, or acronym. Culturally-based and NPHC organizations also issue new members a line number (such as ace, deuce, tre, etc.) generally based on one’s height.
Neophyte (NEO)
A new member of a culturally based or NPHC organization
New Member
A member of a fraternity or sorority who has not been initiated.
New Member Education Program
A period of learning about fraternity and sorority life prior to initiation. This period varies for all groups
Philanthropy
A charitable fundraiser or service project sponsored by a fraternity or sorority
Potential New Member (PNM)
A student who is not yet affiliated with a chapter but is taking part in the recruitment process
Preference
The Panhellenic Council groups’ final event during Fall Formal Recruitment.
Prophyte (PRO)
An older member of a culturally based or NPHC organization
Recruitment/Intake
The process by which fraternities and sororities select and invite potential new members to join their organization.
Ritual
A fraternity or sorority’s customary ceremonies that are generally private and known only to initiated members of a fraternal organization.
Social
A social event or gathering organized by a sorority or fraternity.
Stroll
A dance performed in a line of active members to demonstrate pride in their organization and its beliefs. Organizations typically have national and local strolls that include a range of varied routines and hand signals that are exclusive to that group.
Stepping
A tradition in which members synchronize their moves in order to perform their own moves without the accompaniment of music. Stepping involves members clapping, stomping their feet, jumping, chanting (not to be confused with saluting), and creating their own beat. The NPHC group is known to step, although multicultural Greeks have adopted similar routines.
Staff Information
Phil McDaniel, Associate Director of Student Involvement, [email protected]
- Interfraternity Council (IFC) Advisor
- National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) Advisor
- United Greek Council (UGC) Advisor
- Panhellenic Council (CPH) Advisor
- Conduct and Risk Management
Chapter Coach
Alpha Epsilon Pi
Alpha Omicron Pi
Alpha Sigma Rho
Alpha Xi Delta
Chi Omega
Delta Chi
Gamma Rho Lambda
Iota Nu Delta
Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Sigma
Lambda Theta Alpha
Omega Psi Phi
Phi Sigma Kappa
Pi Kappa Alpha
Sigma Chi
Sigma Gamma Rho
Sigma Psi Zeta
Zeta Tau Alpha
Vacant, Assistant Director of Student Involvement
- Civic Engagement
- FSL Marketing
Chapter Coach
Alpha Kappa Alpha
alpha Kappa Delta Phi
Alpha Phi
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Sigma Phi
Chi Phi
Chi Psi
Gamma Phi Beta
Iota Phi Theta
Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Delta
Kappa Phi Gamma
Kappa Phi Lambda
Phi Delta Theta
Phi Iota Alpha
Pi Delta Psi
Pi Kappa Phi
Theta Chi
Zeta Phi Beta
Vacant, Graduate Assistant
- Order of Omega Advisor
Chapter Coach
Beta Theta Pi
Chi Upsilon Sigma
Delta Sigma Theta
Lambda Phi Epsilon
Lambda Pi Chi
Phi Beta Sigma
Tau Kappa Epsilon
Zeta Psi