Potential New Member FAQs
First year students must wait until their second semester to join. Transfer students may join during their first semester at Stockton.
The joining period usually take place within the first month of each semester.
- You are in good-standing with Stockton University
- You have successfully earned a 2.5 overall GPA
- You have successfully completed 12 Stockton credits / transfer credits (excluding AP credits or credits earned while still enrolled in high school)
Note: these requirements are minimum standards, so interested students should ask each organization about their specific requirements.
Fraternities and sororities were first founded in the late 1700s as opportunities for students to gather outside of the classroom to debate and discuss their coursework free from professors and other administrators. As these literary societies evolved over time, friendship, campus leadership and service to others also became part of their organizational mission.
These concepts of leadership, scholarship, service and friendship for life still exist in today’s fraternities and sororities. No matter what fraternity or sorority a student may join, members participate in programs that encourage academic success, offer opportunities to serve the community, lead their peers and develop deep friendships. Membership in a fraternity or sorority lasts a lifetime. While other student organizations have a membership expiration date at graduation, fraternity/sorority continues through life. many alumni are active in their organizations as they provide brotherhood/sisterhood and networking opportunities.
University recognized fraternities/sororities work closely with the Office of Student Development. They are held accountable to University policies and are able to participate in Fraternity & Sorority Life and University sponsored programs.
Non-recognized groups are not monitored by the University, and do not recieve the oversight or training of recognized organizations. Groups that appear on the Non-registered list do not meet the University’s standards for recognition and/or have lost recognition for failure to adhere to University policies. We strongly discourage students from joining these organizations. See our Chapters page for a full list of recognized and unrecognized fraternities and sororities.
Fraternities/sororities are NOT funded by the University. Each chapter is self-supported through dues charged to all members. In the first semester of membership, new members are assessed a number of one-time fees (induction fee, initiation fee, badge fee, insurance). The typical new member will need between $500 – $1500 for their first semester of membership. After the initial one-time fees are paid, you can expect to pay an average of $20-$50 (NPHC/UCGC) and $300-$500 (IFC/NPC) per semester in dues/fees/activities expenses. Remember, these are averages. We highly recommend that you ask each chapter about their financial requirements so you have specific information when making your membership decisions.
First make sure you completed the Required Learning before you join. This allows the Office of Student Development to ensure you met all requires listed above.
The new member process can take no longer then eight (8) weeks as per Stockton University policy. You should receive a calendar of events from the New Member Educator or Intake Coordinator (the student charged with the responsibility of administering the new member program) at your first meeting.
Typically you can expect to have a weekly meeting with the rest of the students who are joining and the New Member Educator. At these meetings students usually participate in team builders, learn fraternity/sorority history, organizational structure, talk about the requirements they must meet in order to become an initiated member, etc. Nothing in these meetings is secretive.
Most new members participate in an academic program through the organization (tutoring with an older member, attending study hours at the library, submitting copies of their grades throughout the semester). They are also doing community service, attending some sort of leadership programming (a retreat, workshops, educational speakers) and are likely attending social events.
Again, none of these things are secret, no meetings or events should run past midnight or be held before 7am and all events should be talked about well in advance so you can adjust your schedule accordingly.
Hazing is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct, Fraternity & Sorority Life regulations, and inter/national organization policy. Any chapter who violates these policies will be given due process and if found responsible may be subjected to organizational and/or individual sanctions and discipline, which could include suspension or loss of recognition for the chapter.
If you believe you are experiencing hazing, we urge you to contact the Office of Student
Development immediately or complete an Incident Report.
There are several people you can speak with if you have problems or questions:
- Chapter Advisor
- Chapter President
- New Member Educator/Intake Coordinator
- Assistant Director of Student Development
Contact info (phone and email) for the Advisor, President and New Member Educator should be given to the new members at the first meeting of the new member program. This info can also be obtained by contacting the Office of Student Development.
On occasion, students feel it necessary to quit their new fraternity or sorority.
It may be that the time commitment proves to be challenging, the financial obligation
is too expensive or the student believes they have made the wrong choice in organizations,
etc. If the student has made a choice to quit, they can do so by speaking with the
Chapter Advisor, Chapter President or New Member Educator.
Some organizations hold an “exit interview” to find out why the student is leaving,
others may have paperwork for the organization that the departing new member must
complete. Either way, the student can leave the organization, but should understand
that in most cases any money that has been paid to the group cannot be refunded and
that the organization will likely ask for certain items to be returned, like a new
member manual of information or the new member pin.
