Fraternities typically require their members to meet a certain GPA for continued membership. Members who don’t meet this GPA are often put on probation or kicked out. The GPA requirement varies based on chapter, but an average GPA requirement is that each member maintain at least a 2.5 -- on the 4.0 scale.
A large part of Greek life is community service, both in fraternities and sororities. Fraternities give back to their local community, often partnering with charities and other organizations, in addition to campus groups. Each fraternity typically requires its members to complete a certain number of service hours per semester, such as 10 or more. Like the GPA requirement, students who don’t meet this can be put on probation or kicked out.
Fraternity members often have the option to live in the fraternity house. Some fraternities require its members to live in the house for at least a year. Older members, such as juniors and seniors, often rent their own house near campus. Living in the fraternity house brings with it requirements for the fraternity’s members, such as cleaning and mandatory study hours.
Fraternities hold meetings at which upcoming events, issues that need to be addressed and other information are discussed. Naturally, fraternity members are expected to attend these meetings, but some fraternities allow occasional absences, whether a certain allotted amount or based on the reason for the absence.
Men interested in joining fraternities participate in recruitment events, which usually happen in both the spring and fall semesters. During recruitments, prospective fraternity members visit and talk with various fraternities, getting a feel for what might be a good fit for them. Likewise, the fraternity is looking for who is a good fit for the fraternity. At the end of the recruitment period, fraternities give “bids” to the men they want to join. Then the men decide which fraternity they want to join.
Fraternities have costs for membership and living in the house, if you do live in the house. These fees must be paid for continued membership. Failure to pay can mean probation or being kicked out of the fraternity.