Fraternity & Sorority Life

FAQs

We are here to help you in the process of determining if Fraternity & Sorority Life is for you. If you have any additional questions please feel free to call (813) 974-8867!

What does Fraternity & Sorority Life provide that no other college organization can offer?
College is one of the biggest transitions in a student's life. Joining a fraternity or sorority will help ease the transition by finding others with similar challenges. Fraternity & Sorority life provides a convenient opportunity to create life-long friendships with members all ages, including alumni. Fraternities and sororities promote brotherhood/sisterhood, leadership, scholarship, philanthropy, and financial responsibility.

Can only freshman join a fraternity/sorority?
No. The fraternity and sorority community is a non-discriminatory and will accept members of all ages. As long as the member is an enrolled undergraduate, matriculated, student at the university, they are eligible to join. Often times transfer students will join after their freshman year. There are a few organizations which do not allow freshman to join. Please check with specific organization on any classification requirements.

What if I am on the St. Pete or Sarasota-Manatee campus? Can I still join?
Yes, you can join! As OneUSF any student who is enrolled on any of the three (3) campuses can participate and join one of our FSL chapters. The activities and programs, including recruitment and intake, will primarily occur on the Tampa campus, but you are still eligible to participate from another USF campus. 

How much time commitment is involved when joining?
One of the most difficult challenges freshman face is time management. College is much different from the prescribed schedule students were used to in high school, leaving lots of free time to waste, especially if they are not involved in any extra-curricular activities. Having a structured schedule is conducive to productivity. There is no given amount of time commitment, most fraternities and sororities will not require beyond what is required of every member for service/philanthropy events. Social events, too, are never required events.

How much does it cost to join?
There is no exact amount to put on the experience of Fraternity & Sorority Life. However, there are monetary costs to membership. Dues vary according to chapters. Most chapters charge an application fee to cover the cost of your new member period. Upon your activation into the chapter, members are charged an initiation fee. Finally, active members are charged chapter dues. These finances are billed either per semester or annually. Please feel free to inquire about each chapter's financial obligations during recruitment.
Many organizations also offer payment plans and/or have opportunities to apply for organizational scholarships.

What is FSL Greek Village?
USF currently houses 14 national fraternities and sororities in the FSL Greek Village. Greek housing is open to individuals who are members of these Greek organizations. Each organization resides in a two- or three-story house comprised of double bedrooms with a community kitchen, common restrooms and a living room. Residents are required to sign a Greek Housing contract provided by Housing & Residential Education and any additional contracts pertaining to individual organizational membership.

What about hazing?
Hazing is strictly prohibited and dealt with in the severest of consequences. There is a definition in the University's Code of Policies, Florida State Law, and Regulations Applying to all students and is written in the Bylaws or Constitutions of our University of South Florida Chapters and Councils.

As a parent or relative, how can I support my student's involvement in a fraternity or sorority?
Research their national organization, including their history and core values. Determine whether the organization has a friends and family club or friends and family events. Once your student joins an organization, encourage him or her to seek leadership positions. You can also get to know their close friends within the organization, support their chapter's philanthropic or community service events and attend their local events.