Recruitment
CNU follows a deferred recruitment model that requires students to earn at least 12 credits before being eligible for membership to any social fraternity or sorority. The model places a priority on our students’ transition and acclimation to Christopher Newport and the academic environment on campus. The earliest a freshman is eligible to join an organization is during their second semester. Transfer students are immediately eligible to join fraternities and sororities. Students interested in joining a Greek organization are encouraged to attend a Fraternity and Sorority Life information session. They should also consider attending council and chapter events to learn more about the process and organizations that exist on campus. All interested students must submit an Academic Release form and complete Hazing Prevention Training for Potential and New Members. Students should look for the organization that is the best fit for them and where they feel the greatest sense of belonging. Costs associated with joining a fraternity or sorority vary widely and more information can be discussed with the individual chapters.
Additionally, each council has a minimum GPA requirement in order to be considered for membership in any Greek organization.
How It Works
Formal recruitment for Panhellenic chapters takes place during a weekend each January. Students can register for formal recruitment and attend pre-recruitment events beginning in the fall term, with registration closing the week prior to formal recruitment. During formal recruitment, students will visit each of the Panhellenic chapters through “rounds.” Students who complete the process may be matched with a chapter through a mutual selection process, however participation in formal recruitment does not guarantee an invitation to join an organization.
Informal recruitment or Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is a process that occurs during the fall semester and following formal recruitment in the spring. Eligible chapters may hold open events or extend invitations to eligible students. Not all chapters will be eligible to participate in COB in any given semester.
CPC does not have a minimum GPA requirement, however individual chapters may require a specific minimum cumulative GPA. Information regarding formal and informal recruitment can be found on the Panhellenic website. Students can also reach out to the CPC advisor in Orientation and Student Involvement or to the respective chapter.
IFC hosts formal recruitment processes each fall and spring semester. First year students are only eligible for spring formal recruitment due to the deferred recruitment model. During formal recruitment, interested students will attend a mandatory IFC information session to learn more about fraternal life and meet with all active fraternities. Following recruitment, students will participate in Individual Chapter Recruitment Week, attending events hosted by the chapters which highlight their values, service, and brotherhood. Students who complete the process may be offered a bid by one or more chapters, however participation in formal recruitment does not guarantee an invitation to join an organization.
Informal recruitment for IFC is also known as the “rolling bid” process, which can occur after the formal process is completed and ends before the last day of classes each semester. Chapters may elect to extend bids to students who have registered for the rolling bid process.
IFC has a minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 2.5, however some chapters have higher GPA requirements. To learn more about IFC fraternities, students can email ifc@cnu.edu, visit the IFC website, reach out to the IFC advisor in Orientation and Student Involvement, or contact the individual chapter.”
Students interested in joining an NPHC (or “Divine Nine”) organization should attend an all-Greek Information Session and NPHC’s “Meet the Greeks” event to learn more about the chapters available at CNU. Each NPHC chapter has its own membership intake process and requirements and not all chapters participate in membership intake every semester. Once a student has determined which chapter they are interested in joining, they should attend events hosted by the organization and look for information about their respective “informational” interest meetings or events. Details can generally be found on the organization’s social media pages and in the Campus Announcements.
NPHC has a minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 2.5, however some chapters have higher GPA requirements. To learn more, students can reach out to nphc@cnu.edu, the NPHC advisor in Orientation and Student Involvement or to the respective chapter.