Before You Join

Make an Informed Choice

Joining a fraternity or sorority can shape your college experience, relationships, responsibilities, and connection to UNM.

The goal is not simply to receive an invitation. It is to find a recognized organization where you feel respected, supported, and able to succeed.

Take time to learn about the organization, meet its members, understand its expectations, and consider whether the experience aligns with your values and goals.

Confirm the Organization’s Status

Before participating in recruitment, membership intake, or chapter activities, confirm that the organization is currently recognized by UNM.

Do not rely only on social media, chapter letters, or information from individual members. Recognition status can change, and an organization may continue to appear active even when it is not recognized by the University.

Use UNM’s official chapter directory and recognition information to verify an organization’s current status.

[View Recognized Chapters]

[Review Chapter Recognition and Standing]

Understand the Commitment

Membership includes more than attending social events.

Depending on the organization, members may be expected to participate in:

  • Chapter meetings
  • New-member education or membership intake
  • Academic programs
  • Service and philanthropy
  • Leadership and committee work
  • Social and community events
  • Required trainings
  • Council or campus programs

Ask what an average week and semester look like before accepting an invitation. Consider how membership will fit alongside your classes, work, family responsibilities, health, and other commitments.

[Review Costs and Financial Expectations]

Look Beyond the First Impression

Recruitment and interest events are designed to introduce you to an organization. They may not show you everything about its everyday culture.

Pay attention to how members treat one another, prospective members, campus partners, and people outside their organization.

A healthy chapter should be willing to explain its expectations, answer reasonable questions, and give you space to make your own decision.

Speak with several members when possible. Look for consistency between what the organization says it values and how its members actually behave.

[Review Questions to Ask Before Joining]

Know That You Have a Choice

Registering for recruitment, completing an interest form, attending an event, or receiving an invitation does not mean you must join.

You should never be pressured to:

  • Accept an invitation immediately
  • Make a decision before you are ready
  • Ignore academic, work, family, health, or personal responsibilities
  • Participate in activities that make you feel unsafe, humiliated, or disrespected
  • Keep ordinary membership activities secret from trusted people
  • Continue a process you no longer want to participate in

A membership decision should be informed and voluntary.

Hazing Is Prohibited

Hazing is prohibited by UNM and is not an acceptable part of fraternity or sorority membership.

Membership should never require you to compromise your safety, dignity, health, academics, or well-being. You have the right to ask questions, seek support, and step away from any experience that feels unsafe or inconsistent with what you were told.

[Learn About Hazing Prevention and Transparency]

Trust What You Observe

Pause and seek guidance when an organization:

  • Refuses to explain what membership will involve
  • Pressures you to prove your loyalty
  • Dismisses concerns as weakness or a lack of commitment
  • Interferes with sleep, classes, work, health, or relationships
  • Treats new members as less deserving of respect
  • Says harmful behavior is necessary to build unity
  • Discourages you from speaking with family, advisors, or University staff

You do not need to know whether something violates a specific policy before asking for help.

Talk With Someone

Questions and concerns do not have to become emergencies before you seek support.

The Fraternity and Sorority Life Office can help you understand recognition status, membership expectations, joining processes, or concerns about an organization.

UNM Fraternity and Sorority Life
505-277-4706
greeks@unm.edu

[Contact Fraternity and Sorority Life]

[Report a Concern]

Take Your Next Step

Once you understand the organization and the commitment involved, choose the next step that feels right for you.

[Review How Membership Works]

[Explore Recognized Chapters]

[Review Questions to Ask Before Joining]

[Review Costs and Financial Expectations]