About the U of I Greek community

Fraternities and sororities at U of I consistently outperform the general student population. Explore grade reports from previous years to see how our Greek community excels academically.

2024 - Fall | Spring

2023 - Fall | Spring

2022 - Fall | Spring

2021 - Fall | Spring

2020 - Fall | Spring

New to all things Greek life? We’re here to help. This session starts at the basics – what is a fraternity/sorority? – and dives into all aspects of Greek life, from the joining process to housing and all the important bits in between.

Topics: key terms, community overview, joining, housing, finances

Learn what you need to know about IFC Fraternity and Panhellenic Sorority recruitment, from registration to the first day of class. We’ll walk you through frequently asked questions and share what our students have to say about their recruitment experiences.

Topics: recruitment, FAQ, community overview

Worried about hazing, bills or not being chosen? Let’s talk about it. This session is all about answering your tough questions. We’ll cover fraternity and sorority accountability processes and hazing prevention efforts, how Greek finances work and how you can set realistic expectations for recruitment, all while you get to know the different players involved.

Topics: Greek life structure, accountability, finances, recruitment

Greek-letter organizations include fraternities and sororities. They come in different forms — social, honorary and pre-professional — though not all use Greek letters. Our office supports 35 social fraternities and sororities at University of Idaho. 

Philanthropy refers to events where organizations raise money or awareness for a charitable cause. Most chapters are connected to national or international philanthropic partners as well as local causes. 

We have 35 fraternities and sororities governed by one of three councils:

• Interfraternity Council (IFC)
• Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)
• Panhellenic Council (PHC)

Yes! You can join both a service or academic fraternity and a social fraternity or sorority. However, you can’t join more than one social fraternity or sorority. 

Joining a fraternity or sorority helps make the transition to college easier by providing a built-in support network and lifelong friendships. Other benefits include:

• Academic resources to help you succeed
• Leadership development and hands-on experience
• Opportunities to get involved on campus and in the community
• Career and networking opportunities through fellow members and alumni

Each chapter is self-funded through member dues, which cover housing, meals, study and recreation spaces and chapter activities.

Average cost per semester* 

• Fraternities – $3,800
• Sororities – $4,800

*One-time fees may apply during your first year of membership. 

Recruitment events are the best way to explore chapters and meet members.

• Formal Recruitment for Panhellenic sororities and IFC fraternities happens in August before classes start.
• Informal Recruitment happens early in the spring semester.

Learn more about recruitment

All fraternities and sororities have an orientation process that typically lasts less than 10 weeks. During this time, you’ll:

• Attend meetings to learn about the chapter’s history and values
• Participate in personal and professional development sessions
• Engage in community service projects

We recommend speaking with chapter leaders about the process before accepting a bid. 

Membership time commitments include:

• Weekly chapter meetings and new member sessions
• Philanthropy and community service events
• Brotherhood and sisterhood events

If you pursue a leadership role, you may need to invest additional time. However, most community and philanthropy events are flexible so you can decide how involved you want to be. 

Over 1,400 students are part of the Greek community at UIdaho, with more than 1,000 living in chapter houses — including about 600 first-year students on average. Greek Life makes up over 20% of the student population.

Academics are a top priority for Greek organizations. Chapters have minimum GPA requirements and offer resources like:

• Study groups and tutoring
• Incentives for academic success
• Academic support from fellow members

We recommend talking to the chapter’s academic chair to learn more before joining. 

Take time to explore our website and learn about the different chapters at U of I. Understanding the options will help you have informed conversations with your student about their choices.

Every Greek organization has its own personality and values. It’s important to note that chapter culture and values can change over time. Encourage your student to join the chapter where they feel most comfortable and aligned with their values.

Discuss your student’s academic plan and how they’ll balance their coursework with Greek Life commitments. Many chapters offer academic support to help members succeed.

Membership includes costs like room and board, meal plans and dues. Talk with your student about how they plan to cover these expenses:

• IFC organizations – Average $3,800 per semester
• MGC organizations – Average $300 per semester
• PHC organizations – Average $4,800 per semester

Many chapters encourage involvement in other campus organizations and leadership roles within the fraternity or sorority. Ask your student how they plan to get involved and make an impact.

If you have a concern about a student, you can submit a confidential CARE Referral. These referrals are reviewed by the Dean of Students Office and the Counseling and Mental Health Center to ensure a student receives the support they need.

Learn more about VandalCARE.

Follow us on Instagram (@idahogreeklife) to stay updated on events and news within the Greek community.

Ask your student about their Greek Life experience — what they enjoy, what they’ve learned and how they want to grow. Staying engaged shows your support and helps them feel connected.