As an incoming freshman, the opportunities to network and expand your horizons on campus seem limitless. Among the largest and most prominent RSOs on campus are fraternities and sororities.
The Fraternity & Sorority Affairs website offers an overview of information about recruitment, philanthropy and each council’s values. Students can start to form an idea of which council best matches their interests and find information on the existing Panhellenic Council, United Greek Council and Interfraternity Council websites. Information about the Black Greek Council can be found on the FSA website.
In addition to this wealth of information, executive board members shared personalized insights with The Daily Illini. They also addressed common misconceptions to help incoming freshmen with what they should know about fraternity and sorority life.
A key clarification
One important distinction board members made was the relationship between the four councils and the FSA. Interfraternity Council President Ross Bodine, senior in ACES, explained that while the office provides guidance and oversight, the councils are independent, student-run organizations.
“We don’t work for the office, but they do have a hand in a lot of things that we do,” Bodine said.
While FSA and the councils both shape the Greek life experience at the University, their responsibilities are significantly different. As a unit under Student Success, Inclusion & Belonging, FSA provides oversight and ensures that Greek life organizations recognized by the University follow campus policy.
On the other hand, councils and their chapters are student-governed, managing their own daily operations. Bodine explained that the University typically takes a hands-off approach, encouraging student leadership on campus and only stepping in when necessary. While responsibilities between the two differ, the relationship between them is meant to be collaborative and democratic, allowing for student leadership while upholding University policy.
