FSLhow to join

Fraternity/Sorority Life is an exciting opportunity at James Madison University! Joining a Greek-lettered organization provides you with opportunities for leadership, community service, scholarship, friendship, and lifelong membership in a values based organization. Fraternities and sororities select their members through a recruitment process, sometimes referred to as “rush.” Recruitment is a way for prospective new members to visit and learn about the fraternities and sororities hosted by JMU. Recruitment process is alcohol-free an alcohol and substance free process in accordance with the policies of the inter/national organizations and James Madison University.

To join students must be regularly enrolled in classes at James Madison University and are required to be in good academic standing (not on academic probation). Individual organizations have minimum grade point average requirements, ranging from a 2.0 to 2.5 cumulative college grade point average for continuing or transfer students, or a high school cumulative grade point average of 2.60 to 2.80 for new freshmen.

As you consider which chapter is the best fit for you, we encourage you to review our community values that are outlined by our Four Pillars of Excellence: Character, Leadership, Scholarship, and Service. Once you have made the decision to join a chapter you will be responsible for helping your chapter pursue these standards. As a member, you will support your chapter by maintaining the required GPA, completing at least three hours of community service, contributing financially through the timely payment of your dues, and participating in a variety of chapter and community wide programs.

Fraternity Recruitment

Fraternity Recruitment is year round process and allows men to visit each chapter at their discretion. Interested men may join an organization any time the organization is extending invitations to join. At least once a year the Interfraternity Council, the governing body for the 15 member chapters, also host a series of IFC Sponsored Recruitment events designed to provide potential new members with opportunities to visit with several chapters during one event. The recruitment process is completely non-alcoholic and allows men to visit multiple chapters over several days so they can get a chance to truly get to know what each Fraternity is about, and what they value.

Sorority Recruitment

Sorority recruitment is a formal and structured process sponsored by the Panhellenic Association. Registration is required, prior to the week of formal recruitment. To avoid conflicts with classes, recruitment events are held in the evenings and on weekend days. Participants visit each chapter on the first day of recruitment, known as open house. Recruitment is a mutual selection process. It is strongly recommended that you attend every event during the formal recruitment process. The final invitational event, Preference Night, you may attend up to three chapter’s events which are more formal in nature.

After the Preference Parties, potential new members rank their choices and the sororities submit a preference list. To promote equity in the recruitment process, each sorority is permitted to pledge a maximum number of women, so a “bid matching” process determines which sorority each participant will join. Many participants are pledged to the chapter they list as their first choice after the Preference Parties.

Links for Potential New Members

List of Chapters at JMU
Rights and Tips for Students Participating in Recruitment
Frequently Asked Questions
JMU’s Hazing Policy