General Information

What is a fraternity or sorority?
Fraternity: A group of men bonded together by their ritual, which contains the founding principles, ideals and aspirations of the group.
Sorority: A group of women bonded together by their ritual, which contains the founding principles, ideals and aspirations of the group.

How do I join?
All students joining a fraternity or sorority must:
1. Have completed 12 units on campus or have 24 transfer units
AND
2. Have a minimum 2.2 cumulative GPA
Men’s and women’s recruitment is held in the Spring for first year students. For more information and to register, see the Recruitment links at ifc.sandiego.edu and panhellenic.sandiego.edu

How much does it cost?
Membership in a fraternity or sorority is usually around $400 per semester. There are additional initiation fees that occur only during the first semester of membership. Many Greek organizations offer payment plans.

Glossary of Terms

Alumni/ae: Members of a fraternity or sorority who have graduated
Bid: An invitation to join a fraternity/sorority
Chapter: The local group of undergraduate students on a campus. Many national groups give their chapters names such as a Greek letter, a combination of letters or a Greek letter and a state.
Dean’s Trophy: Awarded to the outstanding fraternity and sorority at USD. Each organization is judged on scholarship, community service, campus involvement, national programming and inter-Greek relations.
Greek Man & Woman of the Year: Awarded to the most outstanding fraternity and sorority member based on leadership involvement, an essay and letters of recoomendation.
IFC (Interfraternity Council): The umbrella organization for fraternities.
Legacy: Someone whose mother, father, sister or brother are members of a particular organization. Some organizations may consider a niece or nephew a legacy.
Panhellenic Council: The umbrella organization for sororities.
New Member: A new member of a fraternity or sorority, sometimes also called Associate Member or Pledge. During this time, new members will learn the ideals and principles of the group and get to know their fellow new members and the initiated/active members.
Recruitment: The time when Greek organizations recruit new members.

Office of Student Organizations & Greek Life
5998 Alcala Park UC 113, San Diego, CA 92110