Our Community

Active/ Initiate/ Member - Someone who has completed their New Member period, the associate/new member education program, or the membership intake process, and has been introduced to the ritual of the organization through initiation or other means, and is fulfilling academic requirements within an organization.

A written formal invitation extended to a Potential New Member (PNM) to go through the educational process set by either the national, international, or local governing body of the respective organization.

In the Panhellenic and IFC communities, potential new members are offered “bids” to join the organizations. These bids are invitations for membership. 

A new/young organization that has not received a full charter from a national organization.

Utilized by the Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council

Term used to describe the point of the intake process when initiates officially become members. 

A program designed to educate New Members about the history and internal functions of the organization, as well as the members role within the community. The process is created by either the national, international, or local governing body of the respective organization.

An organization that is based on fraternal values of Brotherhood/Sisterhood, Leadership, Scholarship, and Philanthropy. Traditionally fraternities have male membership; however, some early women’s organizations were referred to as "women’s fraternities" and continue to do so to this day.

A mutually selective process in which men may be invited back to various recruitment events generally held at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters by the Interfraternity Council and its respective member organizations.

Used by Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council 

In culturally-based fraternities and sororities, intake refers to the process by which new members join. 

It generally involves information meetings, an application, formal interviews, and an intensive education period. 

If a cultural organization is open for intake, it will host an informational meeting near the start of the respective semester. If you have questions regarding whether a specific organization will be hosting a meeting, please reach out to our office. 

The governing body for traditional fraternities associated with Texas State University, some of which are associated with the North American Interfraternity Conference. Included among its main responsibilities are conducting formal membership recruitment in both the fall and spring semesters. IFC also operates the student judicial system or "J-Board" for its member fraternities.

To be a legacy means that you have an older family member who was/ is a member of a Greek organization.

The governing body for culturally based fraternities and sororities. The council serves as a coordinating body for all academic, social activities, workshops, seminars, and philanthropic work in which member fraternities and sororities are engaged.

The governing body for all fraternities and sororities which are affiliated with the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. The council serves as a coordinating body for all academic, social activities, workshops, seminars, and philanthropic work in which member fraternities and sororities are engaged.

Someone who has been offered and accepted a bid (invitation to join), is fulfilling academic requirements within the organization, studies fraternity/sorority information, and is assessed fees by the local and/or (inter)national organization.

Refers to a student who has newly joined an organization. 

The governing body for all sororities and women's fraternities that are affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference. The main role of the council is to coordinate and sponsor various educational and social programs. Their biggest event is Sorority Formal Recruitment held every August.

A term generally used by the Panhellenic Council and refers to any person interested in joining a fraternity or sorority.

Student has expressed interest in becoming a member of a Greek letter organization and has attended at least one interest/information session.

Used by the Interfraternity Council 

Refers to the period when IFC fraternities on campus host events for potential new members. They start open and progress to invite-only. Potential new members that connect well with a chapter may be offered a bid to join the organization. 

Rush occurs at the start of the Fall and Spring semesters. 

A women’s organization that is based on the fraternal values of Sisterhood, Leadership, Scholarship, and Philanthropy. The first use of this term when referring to a women’s fraternal organization was in 1882; however, it did not gain popularity until the turn of the 20th Century.

A mutually selective process in which women may be invited back for all four days of recruitment leading up to Bid Day generally held at the beginning of the Fall semester by the Panhellenic Council. This process is officially sanctioned by the Panhellenic Council.

Used by the Panhellenic Council. 

Refers to the process where potential new members (PNMs) connect with the 8 chapters on campus. It is a mutual selection process where chapters accept new members to join their organization. 

Primary recruitment is open in the fall. It is a formal multi-day process. 

Spring recruitment is comprised of more casual events. Women can select which chapter to pursue directly. 

Used by the Multicultural Greek Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council 

Stepping and Storlling are creative and artistic forms of expression and dance. They are deeply rooted in cultural identity, historic heritage, and Fraternity and Sorority tradition. The privilege to stroll/ step is reserved for initiated members of cultural organizations.  

The Panhellenic and Interfraternity councils are open to incoming students with zero credit hours. They both host recruitment processes that start during the first week of school.

The Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council require a minimum of 12 TXST credit hours, have individual GPA requirements, and community service requirements. 

No. None of the council recruitment/ rush processes begin before the first day of school. 

TXST freshmen are required to fulfill the live-in requirement if you are under the age of 20. This prohibits you from living with your potential organization until after your first year on campus. 

Welcome! We are excited to have you. Reach out to our office via phone or email and we will connect you directly to the chapter president to start your transfer process. 

Absolutely. All of our councils are open to all student classification levels. It is not only for first-year students. 

The cost of membership varies from chapter to chapter. Typically, the first semester of membership will cost the most as it includes New Member fees that the chapter must pay to the inter/national headquarters. If the chapter owns a house, its dues may be higher as well. As your student moves forward with the recruitment/intake process, check with the respective councils for an up-to-date list of chapter dues and fees.

Please note that payments will only be conducted through official websites. At no point will a student need to directly pay another student outside of an official website. 

Leadership
The Greek organizations at Texas State are presented with many opportunities to learn leadership roles within the individual Greek organizations, executive boards, and councils. Texas State hosts several leadership events throughout the year focusing on the expansion of each Greek student’s potential and emphasizing the enhancement of their collegiate career.

Brotherhood/Sisterhood
Joining a Texas State Greek organization and building close, long-lasting relationships within the Greek family! The Greek community solidifies lifetime bonds and establishes a sense of belonging away from home.

Community Service
Giving to the community and charitable organizations is a top priority among the Greeks at Texas State! Besides contributing service time and money for those in need, Greeks also build connections within the community and the University in San Marcos. Many are involved and sponsor a variety of philanthropic events and activities, including blood drives, mentoring, runs/walks, and community clean-ups.

Scholastic Support
The Texas State Greek community thrives on a Standard of Excellence and maintaining academic success is a must. Greek organizations on campus encourage academic success and offer a wealth of academic resources. Many Greek organizations help students by keeping track of study hours, holding a minimum GPA, and giving scholarships and awards for their members’ efforts.

Networking
Joining a Greek organization will provide your student with many opportunities to build relationships with current members and alumni! All the networking possibilities can expand their career choices and increase their academic success.

Social Involvement
Your student can start their Greek memories right now by participating in All Greek Events, Homecoming, formals, intramural sports, sorority/fraternity mixers, various retreats, co-sponsored programs, spring break trips and so much more with your organization!

Your time commitment will vary based on council and organization. 

Expect the most significant time commitment to be during your new member education period, where you will receive specialized education unique to your organization. 

Most members spend 5 to 10 hours per week on organizational obligations. 

The minimum requirement to join any organization, per the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, is a 2.5. 

Individual organizations may have higher requirements.  

Student members elect their own officers who oversee the operation of the chapter on the college campus. The University requires all fraternities and sororities to have a Faculty/Staff Advisor to work with the chapter, this is in addition to an Alumni Advisor that is appointed by the organization's (inter)national office. The Fraternity and Sorority Life office also has five staff members who work with the chapters and their governing bodies to make sure they are getting the most from their experience in a safe manner.

Texas State University, as well as the State of Texas, has zero tolerance for hazing. Reports of hazing are investigated through Student Involvement. Chapters found guilty of hazing may lose University recognition and their members may face possible legal ramifications.