Start Here: How FSL Membership Works

Four Councils. Different Paths. One Place to Begin.

Four Councils. Different Paths. One Place to Begin.

Joining a fraternity or sorority starts with learning about your options, meeting members, and finding a community that aligns with your values and goals.

UNM has four fraternity and sorority councils. Each council has its own organizations and approach to welcoming new members. Some use a structured recruitment process. Others connect with students through public programs, informational meetings, interest events, and chapter-led membership intake.

You do not need to understand every process before getting started. Find the pathway that interests you and take the first step below.

Jump to:

[College Panhellenic Council]

[Interfraternity Council]

[National Pan-Hellenic Council]

[United Greek Council]

Recruitment and Membership Intake

You may hear two main terms used to describe how students join.

Recruitment

Recruitment is a process where prospective members meet chapters, attend events, learn about membership, and decide which organizations they would like to explore further.

The College Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council primarily use recruitment, although their processes are different from one another.

Membership Intake

Membership intake is the process used by many National Pan-Hellenic Council and United Greek Council organizations to select, educate, and welcome new members.

Each organization manages its own process and timeline. Attending public programs, informational meetings, and interest events is often the best way to begin.

A Structured Recruitment Experience

The College Panhellenic Council represents UNM sororities affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference.

Most students begin through Primary Recruitment, a structured, multi-day process where participants meet each Panhellenic chapter, learn about chapter values and membership expectations, and explore where they feel most comfortable.

Primary Recruitment uses a mutual-selection process. Participants identify the chapters they are most interested in continuing to meet, while chapters determine which participants they will invite to the next round. Participating does not require you to accept membership, and registration does not guarantee an invitation to join.

Fall 2026 Primary Recruitment

August 20 through August 24, 2026

Registration is required to participate in Primary Recruitment.

Some Panhellenic chapters may also offer membership through Continuous Open Bidding, commonly called COB, after Primary Recruitment or during the spring semester. Not every chapter participates in COB each semester.

Your Next Steps

  1. Review the recognized Panhellenic chapters.
  2. Register for Fall 2026 Primary Recruitment.
  3. Follow UNM Panhellenic for recruitment updates.

[Explore Panhellenic Chapters]

[Register for Fall 2026 Primary Recruitment]

[Visit the College Panhellenic Council Page]

Instagram: @unmpanhellenic

A Flexible, Relationship-Based Process

The Interfraternity Council represents UNM’s recognized IFC fraternities.

IFC recruitment gives students opportunities to meet members through council programs, chapter events, informal conversations, and other recruitment activities. Rather than moving through one centralized schedule, students can explore different chapters and decide which organizations they would like to continue getting to know.

Recruitment opportunities may occur during both the fall and spring semesters, with many activities taking place near the beginning of each semester.

A chapter may extend a formal invitation, called a bid, when it believes a prospective member may be a good fit. Receiving a bid does not require you to accept it.

Your Next Steps

  1. Complete the IFC Interest Form.
  2. Review every recognized IFC fraternity.
  3. Attend events hosted by several chapters before making a decision.

The interest form allows IFC and its recognized chapters to share recruitment information with you. Completing it does not commit you to joining.

[Complete the IFC Interest Form]

[Explore IFC Fraternities]

[Visit the Interfraternity Council Page]

Instagram: @unmifc

A Chapter-Led Membership Intake Process

The National Pan-Hellenic Council represents historically Black fraternities and sororities, often collectively known as the Divine Nine.

Each NPHC organization manages its own membership-intake process, eligibility requirements, and timeline. There is not one centralized recruitment process for the entire council, and not every organization conducts intake each semester.

Students interested in NPHC membership should take time to learn about each organization’s history, values, service, and membership expectations. Attending public programs and informational meetings is one of the most important ways to meet members and demonstrate genuine interest.

Organizations that are preparing to conduct intake will provide instructions about their official process. Students should not assume that attending an event or completing an interest form guarantees an opportunity for membership.

Your Next Steps

  1. Complete the NPHC Interest Form.
  2. Learn about all recognized NPHC organizations.
  3. Attend public council and chapter events.
  4. Follow official chapter and council accounts for informational announcements.

[Complete the NPHC Interest Form]

[Explore NPHC Organizations]

[Visit the National Pan-Hellenic Council Page]

Instagram: @unmnphc

Organization-Specific Recruitment and Intake

The United Greek Council represents culturally based fraternities and sororities at UNM.

Each UGC organization has its own history, cultural foundation, traditions, and approach to welcoming new members. Depending on the organization, students may connect through recruitment events, cultural programs, service activities, informational meetings, or a chapter-led membership-intake process.

There is not one centralized joining schedule for the entire council. Opportunities may occur at different points throughout the academic year, and not every organization welcomes new members each semester.

Students should explore several organizations, attend public events, and learn how each chapter’s experience and expectations differ.

Your Next Steps

  1. Complete the UGC Interest Form.
  2. Review the recognized UGC organizations.
  3. Attend council and chapter events.
  4. Follow official accounts for current membership information.

[Complete the UGC Interest Form]

[Explore UGC Organizations]

[Visit the United Greek Council Page]

Instagram: @unmugc

Not Sure Where to Begin?

That is completely normal.

You do not need to choose a council before expressing interest. Complete the general FSL Interest Form, and the Fraternity and Sorority Life Office can help connect you with the appropriate information.

[Complete the FSL Interest Form]

Learn Before You Decide

Joining is a meaningful personal, financial, and time commitment. Before accepting an invitation, learn what membership will require and what questions you should ask.

[Read Before You Join]

[Review Costs and Time Commitments]

[View Recognized Chapters]

Questions? Contact UNM Fraternity and Sorority Life at greeks@unm.edu or 505-277-4706.