Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) Education Certification
Students who are interested in joining a fraternity or sorority at USC Upstate are required to successfully complete the FSL Education Certification on the Agora (Presence) by the date of their initiation. Some organizations may require that it be completed prior to joining/submission of your application for membership (please inquire directly with the chapter to find out when they require this completion).
Successful completion of the workshop is defined as completing ALL THREE of the following requirements:
- Participate in an FSL Education Session (in person or virtual/self-guided). This requirement can be met by doing ONE of the following:
- Complete the FSL Education Quiz and score AT LEAST 90/110 points and submit your score to the “FSL Education Session Quiz Score Submission” form (linked below)
- Sign the Pledge to End Hazing (linked below)
To learn more and to begin completing your FSL Education Certification requirements, please log into your Agora (Presence) account using the button below. (Log in using your USC Upstate email and password.)
If you are unsure if you have earned the FSL Education Certification, you can check by vising your Agora (Presence) profile using the button below. (Log in using your USC Upstate email and password.)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please Read!
When you navigate to the certification page that you are looking for, there is a button named “Apply to Earn.” Please note that you will NOT gain the credential by utilizing the “Apply to Earn” button/feature on that page. If you complete the “Apply to Earn” form without completing the requirements discussed under the “Summary of Requirements” for the certification, that “Apply to Earn” form will be denied.
Recruitment and Intake Processes
In our community, there are different types of processes for joining a fraternity or sorority — Fraternity Recruitment, Membership Intake and Sorority Recruitment. How you pursue membership will depend on which organization you are interested in joining.
Review the “Fraternity Recruitment” tab below if you are interested in the following organization(s):
- Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity
Review the “Membership Intake” tab below if you are interested in the following organization(s):
Women’s Organizations:
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc.
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Men’s Organizations:
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
- Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Review the “Sorority Recruitment” tab below if you are interested in the following organization(s):
- Delta Zeta Sorority
- Phi Mu Women’s Fraternity
- Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s Fraternity
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The Fraternity Recruitment process is coordinated by each individual organization and takes place throughout the academic year.
Steps for Fraternity Recruitment:
Step 1: Successfully complete the Fraternity/Sorority Life Education Session within two calendar years of you pursuing membership in a fraternity/sorority.
This must be completed by the date of your initiation, so it’s best to just complete this requirement so that you don’t forget later.
Step 2a: Attend a fraternity tabling event and tell the members that you’re interested in learning more about their fraternity.
Step 2b: Contact the fraternity to request more information about the fraternity.
If you are interested in Alpha Sigma Phi please email UpstateAlphaSig@outlook.com.
Step 3: If you have not already, attend a fraternity recruitment event. If you are interested in more than one fraternity that participates in Fraternity Recruitment, YOU MAY attend all events you are invited to.
Ways to find out about these events:
- Follow the fraternity on Instagram
- Check the Upcoming FSL Events page.
- Attend the particular fraternity’s events throughout the year
- Look out for flyers in bulletin boards across campus
- Contact the individual organization
Step 4: If you attended events for multiple fraternities that participate in Fraternity Recruitment, you are eligible to receive more than one bid (invitation to membership); however, you may only accept one of them.
Please note that not everyone receives a bid – this is contingent upon grades, the conversations taking place between those going through Recruitment and members of the fraternity and whether the potential member matches a fraternity’s membership criteria.
Step 5: Begin and finish the education process for all members. Education process and initiation will end at least two weeks before the first day of finals for that semester.
Organizations who participate in Fraternity Recruitment:
- Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity
Membership Eligibility:
- Registered student at USC Upstate at the time that you are pursing membership
- Meet all other membership requirements dictated by the national organization
- Chapters may set a higher minimum GPA requirement, if they wish.
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The Membership Intake process is coordinated by each individual organization.
Some organizations allow first time in college (FTIC) and transfer students to join right away, other organizations require that a student complete at least 12 (or more) credit hours at the institution before joining. If you are unsure about what the requirements are for the specific organization that you are interested in, those requirements may be posted on the national organization’s website. If it is not, you are encouraged to directly contact the organization to inquire.
Please note that while some organizations do membership intake every semester, others do it only once per year or longer – this decision is made by each individual fraternity or sorority in conjunction with the national organization.
Steps for Membership Intake:
Step 1: Successfully complete the Fraternity/Sorority Life Education Session within two calendar years of you pursuing membership in a fraternity/sorority.
Step 2: Attend an organization’s Informational/Interest Meeting/Rush events
Ways to find out about these events:
- Check the Upcoming FSL Events page.
- Check the FSL display case in the foyer of the Campus Life Center
- Attend the particular organization’s events throughout the year
- Look out for flyers in bulletin boards across campus
- Contact the individual organization
- Look for information on each organization’s local or national websites
Step 3: Begin and finish the education process for all members. Education process, initiation and presentation will end at least two weeks before the first day of finals for that semester.
Organizations who participate in Membership Intake:
Women’s Organizations:
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
- Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc.
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Men’s Organizations:
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc
Membership Eligibility:
- Registered student at USC Upstate at the time that you are pursing membership
- Meet all other membership requirements dictated by the national organization
- Chapters may set a higher minimum GPA requirement, if they wish.
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There are two types Sorority Recruitment processes. One is coordinated by all three National Panhellenic Council (NPC)-affiliated women’s organizations — Primary Recruitment. At USC Upstate, Primary Recruitment takes place in mid-September.
The other process is managed by each individual NPC-affiliated organization — Secondary Recruitment. If a chapter has more membership spaces, they are able to host these secondary recruitment throughout the rest of the academic year.
Steps for Primary Recruitment:
Step 1: Sign up for Sorority Recruitment at www.uscupstate.edu/panhellenic
You will need the following:
- Most recent transcripts
- Photo of yourself
- $15 registration fee
- $15 will be refunded to all participants after they have completed the process. Participants DO NOT have to join a sorority to receive their refund.
- Participants will receive their refund if one of the following is true:
- Participant was released from the process. Participant did not withdraw herself.
- Participant attended all the events they were invited to through the final round and decided that sorority life is not a good fit for them right now.
- Participant completed the process and joined a sorority.
Step 2: Attend Sorority Recruitment Orientation
Step 3: Participate in the Sorority Recruitment process by attending all events that you are invited to.
Step 4: May receive bid
Please note that not everyone receives a bid – this is contingent upon grades, the conversations taking place between those going through Recruitment and members of the fraternity and whether the potential member matches a fraternity’s membership criteria.
Step 6: Begin and finish the education process for all members. Education process and initiation will end at least two weeks before the first day of finals for that semester.
Want to know more about primary sorority recruitment? Check out this year’s USC Upstate Sorority Recruitment Guide.
Steps for Secondary Recruitment:
Step 1: Connect with the sorority of interest. A good way to connect is through their Instagram!
Delta Zeta Sorority
Phi Mu Women’s Fraternity
Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s FraternityStep 2: Attend Sorority Recruitment event(s)
Step 3: May receive bid
Please note that not everyone receives a bid – this is contingent upon grades, the conversations taking place between those going through Recruitment and members of the fraternity and whether the potential member matches a fraternity’s membership criteria.
Step 4: Begin and finish the education process for all members. Education process and initiation will end at least two weeks before the first day of finals for that semester.
Organizations who participate in Sorority Recruitment:
- Delta Zeta Sorority
- Phi Mu Women’s Fraternity
- Zeta Tau Alpha Women’s Fraternity
Membership Eligibility:
- Registered student at USC Upstate at the time that you are pursing membership
- Meet all other membership requirements dictated by the national organization
- Chapters may set a higher minimum GPA requirement, if they wish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have other questions about joining a fraternity or sorority at USC Upstate?
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FSL is the acronym for “Fraternity and Sorority Life.” Fraternity and Sorority Life encompasses all of our social fraternities and sororities and is a functional area of our Office of Student Involvement (OSI).
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No. The fraternity and sorority community is non-discriminatory and will accept members of all ages. As long as the member is an enrolled student at the university, they are eligible to join. Oftentimes, transfer students will join after their first year. There are; however, a few organizations which do not allow first year students to join because their (inter)national organization requires that prospective members have successfully completed a minimum number of credit hours to be considered for mermbership. Please check with the organization(s) of interest to see if there are any classification requirements.
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One of the most difficult challenges first years students (as well as new members that join after their first year) face is managing time effectively. College is much different from the prescribed schedule students were used to in high school, leaving lots of free time to waste, especially if they are not involved in any extra-curricular activities. Having a structured schedule is conducive to productivity.
There is no given amount of time commitment. Most fraternities and sororities will not require beyond what is required of every member for service/philanthropy events. Social events, too, are never required events.
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There is no exact amount to put on the experience of Fraternity and Sorority Life. However, there are monetary costs to membership. Dues vary according to chapters. Some chapters charge an application fee to cover the cost of your new member period and then upon their activation into the chapter, new members are charged an initiation fee. Finally, active chapter members are charged chapter dues. Some chapters bill these finances monthly, by semester, annually. These finances are billed either per semester or annually. Please feel free to inquire about each chapter’s financial obligations during your recruitment.
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No, just as you are trying to figure out which organization fits you the best, chapters are determining who would be the best fit for their organizations. Typically, this is based on specific criteria, such as grades or involvement in campus activities or community service. The best thing you can do is maximize your options by attending as many sorority/fraternity events as possible to allow the chapter members to get to know you on a deeper level. Additionally, if you are not asked to join a chapter, you may try again during another recruitment period.
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Joining a fraternity or sorority is about finding your fit. Not everyone is going to feel a connection to our fraternities and sororities, and that is OK. We encourage everyone to explore the fraternity and sorority community and make the decision that is right for them. We are also continuing to add more organizations to campus for opportunities to build what you’re looking for or consider joining an organization and working to create the change you hope to see.
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Hazing is strictly prohibited at USC Upstate. Individuals or organizations involved in hazing activities will face severe consequences. There is a definition in the University’s Code of Policies, South Carolina State Law, and the Bylaws or Constitutions of our University of South Carolina Upstate’s Chapters and Councils.
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Initiation into a fraternity or sorority is an exciting, yet serious, ceremony that conveys the purposes and special values of the respective fraternity or sorority. These ceremonies often are referred to as “Rituals.” Fraternities and sororities pride themselves on the Rituals that their chapters were founded upon. These Rituals are full of the traditions and values that make the chapters unique. An organization’s Ritual is what links its members to one another. It is a shared experience no matter when or where a member joined. It is important to note that none of these Rituals include hazing or other inappropriate activities.
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It is important to share any legacy information with the group when you are meeting with them or in the application when signing up for sorority recruitment. Each organization has its own legacy policy that defines what constitutes a legacy for their organization as well as how the organization may select for membership. In most cases, being a legacy does not guarantee that you will receive an invitation to join that chapter. Regardless of your connection to a group, we encourage you to explore all the options available to you.
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The best way to decide if a chapter is a good fit is to meet current members and ask questions. Fraternity and sorority information sessions and recruitment events are a perfect chance to learn more information about each fraternity and sorority to decide if its values are in line with your own. It is important to find people you connect with.
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You are within your right to not accept an invitation to join any group. Fraternities and sororities are looking for members that want to be actively involved in their organization. They’d much rather you decline the membership invitation than join and not contribute. In some cases, specifically within the Panhellenic Sorority Primary Recruitment process, this can limit your ability to join another group for a period of time. For specific information regarding accepting bids, please contact the Fraternity and Sorority Life staff.
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We can absolutely explore that possibility! If you are interested in bringing a fraternal organization to campus, please email fsl@uscupstate.edu and we’ll talk through what you’re looking for.