Fraternities and sororities have ideals and standards to which they ascribe. The Basic Expectations are used as a format to achieve the ideals set forth by the North-American Interfraternity Council (NIC). These ideals include the development of character, the commitment to service, and the formation of life-long friendships.
All fraternities and sororities, in accordance with Virginia State Law, strongly support a zero-tolerance hazing policy and are committed to a membership education period which instills a sense of responsibility and commitment in the new members. In addition, new members are asked to sign a Non-Hazing and Grade Release card in recognition of the College's commitment as an institution of academic study.
According to the Basic Expectations, an individual joining a fraternity or sorority has the opportunity to discover his or her full potential. The areas inherent in this experience include brother/sisterhood, scholarship, leadership, community service, and social interaction. For more information on the Nine Basic Expectations, visit www.nicindy.org.
2. How do I go about joining a fraternity or sorority?
Fraternities and sororities organize a process of meeting people and building relationships. This process is called membership recruitment. This process offers each student the opportunity to meet other people on campus and learn what each fraternity or sorority has to offer its members.
3. Does it cost a lot of money to be in a fraternity/sorority?
Each fraternity/sorority 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, a member's only expense will be his/her regular dues. A variety of payment plans is usually offered through each chapter.
4. I am concerned about my grades - what impact would fraternity/sorority membership have?
Students often find managing their time difficult when moving from the highly structured high school environment to the freedoms of college. Fraternities/sororities assist in that transition by offering scholarship programs which might include study partners, mandatory study hours, and time management workshops. Members can access the network of fraternity/sorority members who are familiar with using campus resources such as the library, study skills centers, computer labs, and academic advisors. These resources help make the transition to college academics a smoother process.
Lynchburg College feels strongly about the academic achievements of its students. Therefore, in order to be eligible to join a chapter, a freshman must have a 2.5 G.P.A. and have completed 12 credits. Freshmen are not eligible to join during the first semester which allows them to acclimate themselves to the campus and their course work. Upperclassmen and transfer students must also have a 2.5 G.P.A. to be eligible for membership, including a 2.5 GPA from the previous semester and a 2.5 cumulative GPA.
Greek Life Terminology
| Active - | an initiated member of a sorority or fraternity; also known as an initiate |
| Alumnae(i) - | initiated sorority women (fraternity men) who have completed their work at college. [Alumnus - singular male, Alumni - plural males, Alumna - singular female, Alumnae - plural females] |
| Bid - | an official invitation to join a fraternity or sorority |
| Chapter - | a branch of a national fraternity or sorority |
| Dry Recruitment - | the rule which forbids the use of alcohol during any Recruitment event for both fraternities and sororities |
| Hazing - | the illegal practice of a person inflicting any type of abuse (mental or physical) to another person. Lynchburg College and the Commonwealth of Virginia have strict policies against hazing |
| IFC | Governing council for all NIC fraternities. Known as the Interfraternity Council. |
| Initiation - | a formal ceremony whereby a new member assumes full membership with lifetime benefits and responsibilities |
| Legacy - | a potential new member's family member who is an alumnus of a fraternity/sorority to which he or she is interested in joining. |
| New Member - | a student who has accepted a bid and matriculates through the new member process prior to the initiation |
| PC | Governing council for all NPC Sororities. Known as Panhellenic Council. |
| PHC | Governing council for all NPHC organizations. Known as Pan-Hellenic Council. |
| Prospective Member | student who participate in the recruitment process |
| Ritual - | traditional ceremonies, shared by initiated members of the same fraternity or sorority |
| Recruitment - | the formal or informal period during which fraternities and sororities invite prospective members learn more about chapter |
| Silence - | the period of time designated by Panhellenic Council during Recruitment week that no communication is allowed between sorority members and prospective members (For Women Only) |