Common Questions About Sororities
How much time does it take?
Like so many things, you get out of Greek Life what you put into it. There are many women who spend a great deal of time each week in leadership roles and the activities of the group. The choice is yours. At minimum, a member attends weekly meetings, and most attend at least one additional event for an average of 4 hours a week.
How much does it cost?
The average cost of a sorority is between $450 - $600 per semester. The first semester is usually the most expensive with dues between $500 and $900. NPHC groups (Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta) and Lambda Theta Alpha are not included in that range. It is often the optional extras, such as t-shirts and pictures, that increase a member's spending.
How many people are Greek at UT?
25% of the student body is Greek. Over 3300 currently enrolled students are in fraternities and sororities. There are 17 sororities, and the average size of a UT sorority is 137 members. The size range varies greatly with some NPHC groups at 5 members and some NPC groups at 170.
What will is get out of it?
It depends. Sororities offer different things to different people. Primarily they focus on academic, community, social, and leadership development. Chances are a sorority will help you polish what skills and talents you bring to it. (See Benefits section)
Will I be hazed if I join?
Membership in a sorority is a very rewarding experience and hazing of any kind would undermine everything a sorority is promoting. Hazing is not tolerated by the University or any sorority at UT. If a member was ever exposed to activity that may be construed as hazing she should bring it to the attention of chapter leaders, chapter advisors or the UT Panhellenic Advisor.
Will joining a sorority hurt my grades?
Sororities promote and reflect a strong commitment to academics. All chapters have academic success programs for their members. The average sorority member maintains above a 3.1 GPA. As long as you keep a balance in your life and academics as a priority, involvement in a sorority should not adversely effect your grades.
What's the difference between NPC and NPHC sororities?
NPC (National Panhellenic Conference) sororities and NPHC (National Pan-Hellenic Council) sororities have many similarities and differences. We have 14 NPC and 5 NPHC sororities on campus. In addition to this we have one chapter from NALFO (National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations). They are governed by different national councils to meet the different needs of their organizations. Locally, all women's sororities are governed by the UT Panhellenic Council. While all groups promote the development of women, NPHC groups also have a historical purpose to uplift the African American community and the NALFO group has a historical purpose to uplift the Latino community. Any woman regardless of race is welcome to pursue membership in either NPC, NPHC, or the NALFO groups.
Do sororities have houses?
The UT Panhellenic community chose to build a Panhellenic Building to meet the needs of their members in the 1960s. It still provides our chapters a wonderful place to host events, and meetings, as well as a place to meet friends between classes. In addition, many chapters have designated floors in Laurel Apartments where many women live together from the same sorority. What we have is the best of both worlds.
What is Recruitment?
Recruitment is the period when most women join NPC sororities. This is the best way to find out more about all the groups. The week will be filled with activities and you will be assigned to a Greek (Recruitment) Counselor or Gamma Chi, who is there to assist you through the process. For more details on recruitment see the Recruitment Registration form or contact the Panhellenic Office.
What is Intake?
Intake is another word to describe the method of joining an NPHC or NALFO sorority. Each group handles intake independently. Women interested in joining should consult the section on Black Greek Letter Organizations for more details.
Where can I find the answers to more of my questions about sororities?
Feel free to e-mail us or come by or call the Panhellenic Office. We are located at 1531 W. Cumberland Ave. Our phone number is 865-974-6604. If you have a question, let us know.