Greek Life

When an individual is accepted into a sorority, their journey has only just begun. During the first few weeks of membership, they are considered a new member. Although they are still highly valued and treated with respect, they do not possess complete knowledge of the sorority’s rituals and other confidential information. The new member education period can last anywhere from four to eight weeks, depending on the sorority. Our new member programs are specified by the sorority and monitored by local alumnae who provide guidance to our chapters. Hazing is not a part of the Panhellenic lifestyle at Auburn. A new member should expect to participate in the same activities and have the same responsibilities as initiated members.

As a new member, you can expect:

Financial Commitments:

• To pay many one-time fees to the sorority as well as pay dues as regular members do. The first-year average is $1,900, and subsequent years average is $1,600.

Academic Responsibilities:

• To be required to meet study hour requirements. Sororities follow programs to help them succeed academically. As soon as someone joins, she becomes responsible for meeting the sorority’s academic requirements.
• To be assisted in your academic pursuits. All of our sororities have academic programs and offer help, resources, and scholarships for members. The average sorority member has a higher GPA than the average undergraduate woman at Auburn.

Membership Obligations:

• To attend weekly new member meetings where all new members will be taught about the history and values of the sorority as well as other important aspects of sorority life.
• That your chapter will have weekly meetings. Some sororities ask their new members to attend chapter meetings, others do not. Sorority members typically meet Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday nights.
• To be required to attend those things that other members are required to attend. There are community service events, philanthropy events, speakers, and other things that your chapter will participate in, and you will be asked to do your part.
• To be held to the standards of membership that your chapter requires. Every sorority has a set of bylaws and standards. When a member violates these policies, she can be called to a hearing with chapter leadership.
• To be provided with a copy of sorority policies and a calendar of the things you will be asked to attend.
  To attend sorority social events. All sororities have socials for their members to attend. Whether it’s with a social with a fraternity, a date party with another sorority, or your own sorority having a formal, each sorority has at least two to three events each semester. These events are fun but optional.
• To attend new member swaps. For these events, the new members of a sorority and the new members of a fraternity will get together for a fun activity. These alcohol-free events usually happen early in the evening and are a great chance to get to know one another. It is important that you know that you will not be paired with a guy or made to have a date for these events.

Support and Guidance:

• To be provided with a big sister who will help you get acquainted with sorority life, life at Auburn University, and life in the Auburn community.
• To be provided with extra help and structure as you adjust to college life. It is a huge transition, and some people worry that joining a sorority will make things more difficult, but this is not the case. Sororities are large organizations with chapters on over 670 campuses. We specialize in the enhancement of college life and know how to help our new members feel right at home.