How to Join

Your time at Butler is to explore who you are, what matters to you, and the impact you want to make on the world. Joining a fraternity or sorority is about finding your people that are there to support you on that journey!

Primary recruitment for IFC fraternities and Panhellenic sororities begins prior to the beginning of the spring semester. By waiting until the second semester, students have the opportunity to meet and learn about all of the organizations on campus while adjusting to the Butler experience. Primary recruitment is open to all students who:

Have successfully completed 12 college/university credit hours
Have achieved a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
Have submitted a completed registration form by the applicable deadline
Are not on conduct probation with Butler University for any reason

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Circle City NPHC organizations, and city-wide chapters have their own eligibility requirements for membership. To learn more, please reach out to the specific organization you are interested in learning more about.

IFC and Panhellenic Spring 2024 primary recruitment registration will open in September.

While primary recruitment is in the spring, students have the opportunity to meet our fraternities and sororities in the fall! Here are some ways to meet our chapters:

Go to Block Party during Welcome Week (August 22, 2023)
Go to all-campus events sponsored by individual chapters, IFC, Panhellenic, Sigma Gamma Rho and Circle City NPHC (open houses, informationals, meals, guest speakers, and 101 interest sessions)
Study with classmates who are fraternity/sorority members
Take part in chapter-sponsored philanthropy events
Attend Panhellenic or IFC sponsored events in preparation for primary recruitment

Some fraternities and sororities may be looking for members to join in the fall, but only sophomores, juniors, and seniors are able to participate and join a chapter in the fall (having at least 12 university credit hours).

Benefits of Joining

Joining a fraternity or sorority has many personal and professional benefits. For many of our students, the opportunity to make new friends is the most important aspect of coming to college! You will be welcomed into a community of students who will stand beside you, support you, encourage you to grow and respect your individuality. These members will become lifelong friends.

Demonstrating academic integrity and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Spring 2023

All Sorority GPA: 3.561
All Fraternity GPA: 3.380
All Non-Member Student GPA: 3.204

Benefitting our local community through service and philanthropy dollars raised.

Academic Year 2022-23:

Philanthropy Dollars raised: $318,691
Community Service Hours: 14,239

Embracing individual and organizational values to mobilize others and prepare you for life beyond the Butler experience.

“As the president of Sigma Nu fraternity, I have had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of Greek life. Being a part of this brotherhood has not only shaped my college experience but has also prepared me for life beyond the boundaries of our campus. Our fraternity is more than just a social organization; it is a platform for personal growth, leadership development, and lifelong friendships” – Kyle Kane ‘25

Fostering a sense of brotherhood and sisterhood through meaningful connections. Belonging is the extent to which students feel their authentic self is personally accepted, respected, included, supported and safe here at Butler.

Demonstrating informed decision makings while participating in responsible social activities to create harmony in one’s relationships with self and others. Fraternities and sororities are committed to our BU|BeWell Framework providing transformative learning inside and outside the classroom.

Panhellenic and IFC Primary Recruitment

Each chapter is a values-based organization; as you participate in the process, find out what values are important to the members of each chapter. It is also important to ask questions about what each chapter expects regarding time commitment, financial obligation, and academic expectations.

Primary recruitment is the best opportunity to be introduced to all of the respective IFC fraternities and Panhellenic sororities. Registration for both IFC and Panhellenic recruitment is an online and will go live in the fall. Move in for students participating in recruitment will occur on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. Only students eligible to participate in recruitment will be permitted to move into the residence halls early.

Joining a Culturally Based Organization

Culturally based organizations and NPHC chapters, historically Black fraternities and sororities (also known as the divine nine), set their own timeline for recruitment/intake within their respective national organization’s guidelines.

Butler is home to the Alpha Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. Founded on campus in November 1922. The Alpha chapters is comprised of only Butler students. Additional NPHC undergraduate chapters in Indianapolis are city-wide chapters (Circle City NPHC), meaning that the chapter is composed of students from more than one university.

Do your research! To determine which organization is right for you, we encourage students to attend different events on campus and in the Indianapolis area. Get to know the members of each organization to help determine your fit. Attending informational meetings are also a great way to learn more about the organizations in depth.

IFC and Panhellenic Recruitment Calendar

Explore Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment Calendars for the upcoming year.

View Recruitment Calendars

internal resources

How to Join

Benefits of Joining

Panhellenic and IFC Primary Recruitment

Joining a Culturally Based Organization