Orientation

Everyone looking to join a fraternity or sorority at the University of Iowa will need to attend a council orientation. Not sure which one? Check out our four councils here! We have three councils with sororities and three councils with fraternities. These orientation sessions are a broad overview of what to expect and what should be known as your begin your journey in fraternity and sorority life. 

Fall 2023 Orientation Dates

  • National Pan-Hellenic Council: September 12th and October 31th
  • Multicultural Greek Council: September 7th and October 16th 
  • Panhellenic Council: September 19th
  • Interfraternity Council: September 19th

Joining Process

Each council has their own joining process to bring in new members to their organizations. It's important to do your research on the process for the council you are hoping to join. More information on each of our councils and their joining processes can be found on the pages below. There are student leaders for each council as well that can help answer questions and guide you through the process.  

Online Gold Card

It's a requirement that each new member sign the Online Gold Card. This includes information about the obligations of membership so make sure you have read it over closely! Once you have received and accepted an invitation to membership, you will receive an email to your uiowa email address containing information about completing the Online Gold Card.

New Member Academy

After accepting an invitation to membership, each new member has one month to complete the New Member Academy. This online course, housed on ICON is a broad overview of what it means to be a member of a fraternity or sorority at Iowa. The New Member Academy (NMA) consists of 5 modules that cover a broad overview of what it means to be a member of a fraternity/sorority, particularly at Iowa. The modules are Overview of the FSL Community, Academic Excellence, Health, Safety, and Wellness, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Involvement and Leadership Opportunities, Bystander Intervention. For New Members to receive credit, they must finish all 5 modules and take the quiz at the end. The New Member Academy is a requirement.

Once you have signed a gold card, you will be automatically enrolled in the New Member Academy on ICON. You do not need to do anything else to enroll. Questions about NMA should be directed to McKenzie Sauer.

Research

It's important to understand the obligations of membership in a fraternity or sorority. These include financial expectations, academic, behavioral, etc. These can be found by talking with current members, checking out the Student Guide and the Family Guide and through the council orientation. If you have any questions about what is expected of you as a member it is vital that you ask!