Each Northwest fraternity and sorority was founded on similar principles of scholarship, leadership, accountability, civic engagement, and community. For complete information on the founding values of Northwest FSL, please check out Fraternal Values.
The Interfraternity Council is the administrative and governing board representing the best interest on Northwest fraternities. The responsibilities of IFC include striving toward the highest standards of leadership, brotherhood, scholarship and self-governance. IFC coordinates educational, social and recruitment programs for member chapters, as well as establishes rules and standards for behavior and membership.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council is the official coordinating agent for the nine historically Black Greek letter fraternities and sororities. The Northwest Missouri State University NPHC chapter serves as a standard-setting body for the affiliate organizations present on campus. Northwest NPHC strives to foster and maintain a cooperative environment among affiliate members. The Council acts as a coordinator of activities and matters of common interest among member fraternities and sororities.
The Northwest Panhellenic Council is the administrative and governing body that unites all five sororities. As Northwest's largest women's organization, Panhel works to foster a supportive environment that values scholarship, service and personal growth through a unified sisterhood. It coordinates all-sorority events, service projects, educational programs and formal sorority recruitment. Panhel works together to maintain high scholastic and social standards to strengthen the bonds of friendship and sisterhood through the sorority chapters.
Students interested in becoming a member of a Northwest fraternity or sorority are encouraged to go through the recruitment process. The recruitment process is a mutual selection process. The goal is to find the chapter where you have the strongest sense of belonging. Recruitment allows for interested potential new members to meet current chapter members and learn about each organization, including its history and traditions, the founding values, leadership opportunities and campus involvement.
Open Recruitment will begin following formal rush. Please reach out the individual chapters if interested in joining.
Women interested in sorority life go through Formal Sorority Recruitment within the first few weeks of fall semester. This process allows potential new members the opportunity to interact with each Northwest sorority through organized recruitment parties. After formal recruitment is completed, you may have the opportunity to attend Continuous Open Recruitment events, which are casual, sisterhood events typically held on-campus.
Men interested in fraternity life can participate in fall recruitment events within the first few weeks of fall semester. Each respective chapter organizes their own events and activities. Most recruitment events are casual and range in activities from athletic events, poker/card tournaments and cookouts.
Organizations that fall under the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) are unique in their membership requirements and processes. Rather than hosting a formal membership recruitment process for all of the fraternities and sororities, each NPHC organization has an individual membership application, individual membership requirements and a specific intake process prescribed by their national headquarters. Intake may include interviews, group activities, and study of group values/traditions, with the involvement of both undergraduates and advisors. NPHC chapters enter the intake process at various times of the academic year.
Membership education is a time for new members to learn the history, principles and ideals associated with their new organization. The new member period generally lasts 6 to 8 weeks. During this time new members will participate in weekly meetings to learn about their chapter; they will participate in leadership workshops, retreats and activities designed to build friendships; they will perform community service and support academic excellence.
The University and each (inter)national fraternity and sorority expects its members to obey all local, state and federal laws and to abide by the chapter's policies, guidelines and standards. Significant resources are allocated at all levels to educate the members about alcohol and substance abuse and being responsible for their behavior and actions.
Hazing is banned by Missouri state law and the University. All fraternities and sororities have strict policies against hazing practices. Hazing is defined as any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off chapter premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Hazing is forbidden and will not be tolerated.
All activities sponsored by our organizations must be consistent with the founding principles of the organizations and must compliment the educational mission of Northwest Missouri State University. If you are concerned about any suspicious activities, or have any questions, please contact the office at (660) 562-1226.
It's said that when you join a sorority or fraternity you are paying for your friends. This is in no way true! Yes, being a member of an FSL organization does entail a financial obligation. However, these dues are what enable the chapter to make donations to charitable causes, coordinate chapter programming and maintain general organizational needs.
Financial obligations vary from chapter to chapter. Chapter dues average $50.00 a month but can vary depending on any additional social events, educational programs or housing options. As a new member, several one-time fees will be added to your monthly dues, in order to cover fees that occur due to initiation cost. Typically, the first year of membership is the most costly.
Many chapters offer payment plans in order to meet financial obligations. Several chapters also offer incentive programs to members who pay their yearly dues in advance or who meet certain academic standards.
Northwest fraternities operate chapter houses adjacent to campus, providing the opportunity for small group living. Each chapter facility is overseen and maintained by a Housing Corporation, and on average houses around 20 chapter members.
Northwest sororities do not own chapter housing. They do, however, have University housing for their chapters. Roberta Hall is the all-sorority hall, in which each organization has an assigned number of rooms for their members and a chapter/meeting room.
All first time Northwest freshmen are required to abide by the University's Housing policy, therefore freshmen members are not allowed to live in a chapter house until their second year of school. Additional questions regarding chapter housing can be addressed during the recruitment process.
