FSL FAQs

Being a member of a fraternity or sorority is about making lasting friendships, committing to a common set of ideals and enhancing your personal development. It’s also about being part of a brotherhood and sisterhood where individuals share common core values, listed below.

Friendship – This is the principle foundation upon which all FSL organizations are built. As a member of a fraternity or sorority, you’ll meet students from disparate backgrounds and all corners of the globe. Together, you’ll explore new interests, learn new skills, and forge friendships that will last a lifetime.

Scholarship – FSL organizations will encourage and develop high scholastic achievement. Strong academics are encouraged through peer tutoring, counseling, special scholarships, and chapter study hours.

Leadership – Through FSL involvement, you’ll develop leadership skills that will benefit you long after graduation. You’ll learn practical skills like coordinating events, managing budgets, running effective meetings, and motivating others. You may also hold office on an executive board, participate in committees, or represent your chapter on campus boards and governing councils.

Philanthropy – One of the advantages of being a part of a sorority or fraternity is the opportunity to help others in need. We’re a service-based school and our fraternity and sorority members are no exception—they completed over 8,000 hours of community service last year alone.

Inclusivity – Sororities and fraternities will promote the exploration of personal identities and create an environment that celebrates diverse perspectives where all people feel respected, appreciated, and included.

Values / Ethics Integration – The FSL community will integrate their values, missions, and standards throughout their collegiate chapter operations, while maintaining connectedness with alumni and the greater university community.

Fraternities and sororities are groups of individuals of similar interest bonded together by common goals and aspirations. These bonds are created through rituals in which members participate. Rituals are based on common principles such as honor, friendship, truth, and knowledge. Each group works to instill and support these ideals in their members through their everyday activities

Each fraternity and sorority has a unique process of meeting people and welcoming new members into the chapter. This process is called recruitment. Recruitment introduces prospective members to the FSL community and gives unaffiliated students the chance to learn what makes fraternities and sororities unique organizations. Students who wish to participate in the recruitment process are not required to join any organization, rather it is a time to see what fraternities and sororities can offer you and to meet members of the chapter. Each chapter hosts various events throughout the semester for recruitment. For more details about recruitment, please visit the individual chapters’ social media or the How to Join section of the main FSL webpage.

• Gain a support group that will help transitioning to college life significantly easier
• Cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime
• Access resources to help encourage and achieve academic goals
• Develop leadership skills with hands-on opportunities to practice and lead
• Maximize involvement on campus and in the community
• Serve the community through active participation in community service projects
• Network with alumni to develop priceless career opportunities
• Maximize the college experience while having a lot of fun!

Participating in any worthwhile activity always requires an investment of one’s time. A fraternity or sorority is like any co-curricular activity; it does require a time investment. Students in the FSL community have the opportunity for a well-rounded college experience that includes learning how to balance academics, work, campus involvement, and social commitments. We encourage those committed to other clubs and activities to consider the Fraternity and Sorority community as well, as being an involved student will provide unforgettable experiences and important personal and professional development opportunities.

Each chapter 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, expenses will be their regular dues. Each chapter has a different dues structure and thus finances will vary between chapters.

At this time, our campus does not have any residential areas specifically designated for members of any fraternities or sororities, nor do we have housing sanctioned by their inter/national headquarters. However, existing chapters do have access to “the lodges” which act as a standing meeting place for each of the FSL organizations on campus. Access to the lodges are contingent on the timely payment of fees associated with using the space and the good standing of the organization with the university.

Terms used by members of the FSL community typically refer to specific aspects of being in a fraternity or sorority, and some terms apply to specific organizations while others do not. As you learn more about fraternity and sorority life, you’ll want to get acquainted with these frequently used terms.

Active – A member who has been initiated into a lifelong fraternity or sorority membership and participates in chapter activities at the collegiate level.

Alumni/Alumnae – Initiated fraternity or sorority members who have graduated from college.

Badge – The pin of an initiated member.

Bid – A formal invitation to membership in a particular fraternity or sorority.

Big Brother or Sister – An active member of a fraternity or sorority who serves as a mentor to a new member, guiding him or her through the new member program and initiation.

Brother – A term used by fraternity members to refer to one another.

Call/Chant – Audible sounds are used by members to acknowledge or gain the attention of other members. Calls may vary regionally within organizations, and some organizations may use more than one call.

Chapter – A local group of the larger (inter)national organization, designated by a special Greek name.

Continuous Open Bidding (COB) – A flexible method of Panhellenic recruitment where any interested and eligible student can be recruited to join. Unlike traditional recruitment, bids can be given at any time by any chapter.

College Panhellenic Council – Leadership elected from within the student body of NPC sororities to represent their national council at the campus level, guiding the member chapters in the policies and best practices of NPC.

Crossed – The same as being initiated. The term means different things to different groups, but generally means crossing over from being a new member to being an active member.

Divine Nine

Dues – Membership fees associated with being part of a fraternity or sorority. Each organization has its structure for how dues are set and paid.

Executive Council – The student leadership of a particular fraternity or sorority. This typically consists of a president, vice president, and treasurer, and different fraternities and sororities may have many other positions varying in title and responsibilities.

Frater – A term used to refer to another member of their fraternity.

Fraternity – The name that applies to all Greek-letter organizations is characterized by a ritual, badge, and strong ties to friendship and moral principles. Women’s fraternities are called sororities.

Grad/Alumni Chapter – The graduate chapter of NPHC or Multicultural organization. Usually, the local grad chapter oversees the operations of the undergraduate chapter.

Initiation – The formal ceremony that marks the beginning of active membership. Each chapter has a different set of requirements to be initiated.

Intake – The process chapters conduct to recruit, interview, choose, and educate new members.

Lavaliere – A pendant with a fraternity or sorority’s Greek letters on it.

Legacy – The brother or sister, son or daughter, or grandson or granddaughter of a fraternity or sorority member. Each (inter)national organization has its policy regarding legacies.

Line – The members of a cultural fraternity or sorority new member class.

Lodge – On-campus facilities for fraternities and sororities. These can act as common spaces to hang out, do homework, or as formal meeting places for chapter events.

National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) – The support and advocacy organization for 26 women’s fraternities across the US and Canada. NPC supports its chapters by promoting values, education, leadership, friendship, cooperation, and citizenship. NPC chapters at Queens include Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, and Phi Mu.

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) – A national organization composed of four sororities and five fraternities with historically African-American membership.

New Member – A member of a fraternity or sorority who has not been initiated.

New Member Presentation (aka Rollout, Probate) – A formal presentation of a new line to campus. It is usually done in a public forum after members have been initiated.

New Member Program – A period of learning about fraternity and sorority life before or following initiation. This period varies for all groups.

Number – The number you are assigned is based on the chronological order you are in on your initiation line (often members of other culturally based organizations identify or relate to one another by distinguishing that they are the “same” number).

Philanthropy – A charitable fundraiser or service project sponsored by a fraternity or sorority.

Potential New Member (PNM) – A college student who is eligible and interested in joining a fraternity or sorority.

Preferencing – During the last part of Panhellenic sorority recruitment, a potential new member determines which particular sorority/sororities she is willing to join. The potential new member lists two sororities in her order of preference.

Recruitment – The process chapters conduct to recruit, interview, choose, and educate new members. The Panhellenic chapters utilize a mutual selection process that prospective members and chapter members go through during the primary recruitment period in the fall to get to know one another.

Sister – A term used by sorority members to refer to one another.

Soror – A term used to refer to a sister in an NPHC or Multicultural organization.

Stepping – A historically black tradition characterized by synchronized hand-foot movements, along with singing, dancing, chanting, and acting. Many Latino/Latina and Multicultural groups participate in stepping as well.

Stroll – A line dance done by members of cultural organizations; usually done at a party or step show.

Total – Total is the allowable chapter size, including both new and initiated members, for Panhellenic chapters per semester.

To learn more about each of our chapters and their national governing councils, visit their websites and social media.

National Pan-Hellenic Council – @nphchq 

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. – @akasorority1908, @taubeta1908 

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc. – @queensuzetas, @zphibinc1920

Panhellenic Association – @npcwomen, @queenscltpanhellenic 

Alpha Delta Pi – @alphadeltapi, @adpiqueens  

Chi Omega – @chiomegaxo, @queenschio 

Kappa Delta – @kappadeltahq, @kdqueens 

Phi Mu – @phimufraternity, @queensphimu

Or fill out our Interest Form!