Membership Intake and Development

Please note that none of the NPHC organizations at Winthrop allow undergraduates to join until they have completed at least one semester of school and have proven themselves academically.  Some organizations require that one full year of academics be completed before they can begin to discuss the membership intake process for their organization.  The intake process begins in the spring semester for some organizations and occurs in the fall for others, but do not be surprised if you are a freshman and you are not invited to any informational meetings during your freshman year.

Generally, the actual intake process begins with an informational meeting.  Most of these informational meetings are advertised for a short period of time (as little as 24 hours) before the meeting through flyers hanging in the Dinkins Student Union, Thompson Cafeteria, and by word of mouth from members.  At the informational meeting, interested students are invited to learn more about a specific organization and the specifics of the application process for that organization.  You should note that at this point, hopeful aspirants (or members to be) are expected to have researched all of the NPHC fraternities and sororities and know a great deal about the organization they are visiting.  It is not generally accepted behavior for a person to attend more than one organization's informational meeting.  Winthrop University provides "The Unwritten Rules Program" as an opportunity for those persons who are unsure about the process to visit all of the fraternities or sororities at the beginning of the fall semester without the fear of showing preference for one organization over another until you are certain of your choice.  In the spring semester, the NPHC sponsors a Unity Step Show to give students the opportunity to see the interactions between the members and to begin the spring window of opportunity for intake to take place.

After the informational meetings, generally, potential aspirants are asked to complete a membership application and show proof that they have achieved the organization's minimum standards for academics, community service, and leadership.  Each organization is different in what they ask for and how they can be documented, but all require a minimum grade point average and an official transcript.  The approval process for the applications vary from organization to organization, but all include alumni in the review and evaluation process.

After the applications have been approved, the membership education program begins.  There are three important components in the membership intake process: (1) a pre-induction/orientation period, (2) the final induction ceremony, and (3) an in-depth education program.  The final pledge of oath of allegiance taken by a candidate from which he/she cannot withdraw it is a lifetime commitment.  Each organization has its own ritual ceremony, but all basically have the objective that this rite is intended to be impressive.

Each affiliate organization implements the guidelines and details of its own membership intake process, so the length of the specific programs vary.  Winthrop University does have a specific membership intake window each semester where intake must begin after a certain date and end before another date that semester, so in no cases should the full intake process take longer than one semester.  In addition to the time-frame requirement, there are other requirements for intake:

• Each chapter must file a list of intended candidates with the Office of Greek Life immediately following any informational meetings.

• No chapter shall intake members prior to meeting the requirements of the college/university and its national organization.

• No intake shall be held without the presence of at least one graduate chapter and/or advisor.

• HAZING in any form, including physical and mental abuse, is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

• No person who has resigned from one sorority or fraternity may hold membership in any other organization in the NPHC.

• Each member organization determines its own rules governing membership in other Greek –letter organizations, which are non-members of the NPHC. 

• Each organization has a grade point average and credits earned requirement.

Adapted from the National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc. National Handbook.