Parents
Welcome to our dedicated resource for parents. We understand that your student's transition to university life is a significant milestone, and the Cornell Interfraternity Council is here to support you and your student every step of the way.
What’s so great about the Cornell fraternity experience?
If you're here, it's likely that your student is already interested in joining a fraternity or has already joined one. Either way, you probably have some questions about what this experience looks like and why it matters. At Cornell, our fraternity community is more than just social clubs; it is a foundational part of student development. Through a commitment to shared values, leadership opportunities, and academic excellence, the Cornell fraternity community is unique, thriving, and admirable.
What’s so great about the Cornell fraternity experience?
The inherent diversity of the Cornell University community allows fraternities to serve as a bridge for students from a vast array of backgrounds, countries, and cultures. This environment fosters deep-seated bonds that transcend standard friendship, evolving into lifelong brotherhood.
Participation in Greek life provides members with a unique gateway to a truly international community. Through these organizations, students engage with peers from across the globe, often leading to cultural exchanges and travel opportunities that extend far beyond the Ithaca campus. Such extensive and expansive networks are a hallmark of the Cornell Greek system, offering professional and personal connections that are difficult to replicate elsewhere. This enduring framework of support and global reach remains one of the most significant advantages of the fraternal experience.
Academic Excellence and Support
As a Cornell student, your son or daughter probably cares a great deal about his/her education. IFC is proud to contend that joining a fraternity can help many students in their pursuit of their academic goals. In fact, the average GPA of students in Cornell fraternities is higher than the average GPA of students outside the Greek community. Many chapters offer formal systems of in-house academic support, from fraternity-wide tutoring programs to textbook libraries.
Meet the Greeks
An introductory event where your student can meet representantes from all recognized IFC fraternities. This is the perfect time to ask questions about values, philanthropy, and campus life.
The dress code for recruitment is generally casual, though 'Contacts' events might require more professional attire. Recruitment is a voluntary involvement, and there is no fee to register for the formal recruitment process. Importantly, Cornell enforces a strict dry recruitment policy, ensuring all events are alcohol-free to focus solely on character and connection.
For students who do not join during formal recruitment, Continuous Open Bidding (COB) is an option. This informal process allows many chapters to continue recruiting new members throughout the year, offering a more low-pressure way for students to find their community.
Recruitment Guide for Parents
Here in the Cornell IFC, we like to refer to our fraternity recruitment week as a process of mutual selection. This means that while chapters select who they would like to invite back to their events and eventually join their brotherhood, potential new members likewise select the chapters they are interested in and would consider joining. Our hope is that this process allows students to find a fraternity that best fits their values and personality, and which will most contribute to their success and development at Cornell.
There is no fee for fraternity recruitment, and all members of the Big Red family are encouraged to participate. Involvement is by all means voluntary and your student can choose to end the recruitment process at any time. Your son or daughter can also begin the recruitment process at any time, although it is encouraged that they participate in the entire week.
Cornell University is proud to be a dry recruitment campus. This means that fraternity members and potential new members are not to consume alcohol at any time during the recruitment week, as per IFC policy. This regulation is strictly enforced to maintain a safe, welcoming, and character-focused environment where meaningful connections can be formed without the influence of substances.
Open Houses
During this phase, chapters host informal events allowing students to visit different houses. It’s a chance to see the physical living environment and interact with current members.
Contacts
The final stage involves invitation-only events. Chapters extend 'bids' or invitations to join, and students choose the fraternity that aligns best with their personal values.
We understand that sending your student to college is a major transition, and we are here to support you every step of the way. If you have any additional questions or concerns about the fraternity experience, recruitment, or student safety, please don't hesitate to reach out to us directly at recruitment@cornellifc.org. We look forward to welcoming your family into our community.