Fraternity and Sorority Life at Missouri State University is home to 28 chapters and
2,000 students. Membership in Fraternity and Sorority Life provides opportunities
to develop valuable leadership skills, serve the Springfield community, and to build
friendships that will last a lifetime. As you explore different ways to Make your
Missouri Statement, we hope that you will consider the lifelong impact of membership
in a fraternity or sorority.
About Us
One Community, Many Letters
At Missouri State University, Fraternity & Sorority Life is a vibrant community of
organizations, each with its own rich history, and values. Together, we are united
by a shared commitment to scholarship, leadership, service, and belonging.
One Community, Many Letters reflects our belief that every chapter contributes to something greater than itself.
Our three governing councils represent diverse experiences and perspectives, yet together
they form one fraternity and sorority community dedicated to supporting student success
and advancing Missouri State's Public Affairs Mission.
Whether students join a chapter within the Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), or Panhellenic
Association (PHA), they become part of a community that celebrates each chapter's unique identity while
embracing a shared commitment to collaboration, mutual respect, and making a positive
impact on campus and beyond.
Together, we celebrate our differences, honor our traditions, and work side by side
to create a stronger campus and community.
FSL Fast Facts
15% of Missouri State undergraduate students are members of Fraternity & Sorority Life.
3.24 All FSL GPA, exceeding the 3.23 All-Campus GPA.
514 students earned a perfect 4.0 GPA during the academic year.
1,799 students are members of our fraternities and sororities.
Members completed more than 10,850 hours of community service during Spring 2026.
Members contributed more than $47,000 to philanthropic causes during Spring 2026.
Chapters hosted 74 educational programs during Spring 2026.
Chapters registered 324 events that fostered leadership, service, scholarship, and community.
Members donated more than 21,000 pounds of food to the Bear Pantry.
Fraternity & Sorority Life is home to 29 chapters across 3 governing councils.
Why Join Fraternity and Sorority Life
Membership offers opportunities to:
Develop leadership skills
Build lifelong friendships
Give back through service and philanthropy
Connect with alumni and professional networks
Grow academically
Discover a sense of belonging
Create memorable college experiences
If you're new to Fraternity and Sorority Life, some of the language might be confusing.
Below you'll find an overview of commonly used terms.
Active - a member who has been initiated into a chapter, is an undergraduate, and actively
participates
Alumni/Alumnae - initiated fraternity or sorority members who have graduated from college
Badge - the pin of an initiated member
Bid - a formal invitation to join a fraternity or sorority
Chapter - a local group of a fraternal organization
Colony/Associate Chapter - a new group of an inter/national organization before they are installed as a chapter
Fraternity - the name that applies to all Greek organizations, traditionally men's organizations.
Informally, women's fraternities are called sororities
FSL - Fraternity and Sorority Life
Hand Sign - used to identify members of the same organization across all chapters. Most have
a deep meaning to that organization or ritualistic symbol
Initiation - a formal ceremony or ritual in which a new member gains full membership
Intake - the process through which National Pan-Hellenic Council chapters gain new members
Interfraternity Council (IFC) - The governing body of some fraternities at MSU.
Legacy - a potential new member whose immediate family member or grandparent is in a fraternity
or sorority
Line - The members of a cultural Greek organization new member class
Local Chapter - a Greek letter organization that is not affiliated with an inter/national organization
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) - a national organization composed of four sororities and five fraternities whose
members are historically African/Black-American
Neophyte ("Neo") - A new member of a cultural Greek organization
New Member - a member who has accepted the bid of a fraternity or sorority, but has not yet
been initiated
New Member Presentation (Probate) - a formal presentation of a new line to campus. Usually done in a public forum after
members have been initiated
Panhellenic Association - an umbrella organization for 26 (inter)national women's sororities throughout the
United States and Canada
Panhellenic Counselor (Pi Chi) - a Panhellenic sorority member who will assist potential new members during formal
recruitment.
Para ("Nalia") - short for paraphernalia. The different items of clothing someone is wearing
Philanthropy - a charitable fundraiser or service project sponsored by a fraternity or sorority
Potential New Member (PNM) - a person interested in becoming a member of a fraternity or sorority
Prophyte - term used to refer to an older brother/sister from the same chapter, typically
only used for culturally-based organizations
Recruitment - the mutual choice and selection process to determine fraternity or sorority membership
Ritual - the traditional beliefs and oaths of a fraternity or sorority
Soror - term used to refer to a sister in a National Pan-Hellenic Council or Multicultural
organization
Stepping - a historically black tradition characterized by synchronized hand foot movements,
along with signing, dancing, chanting, and acting. Many Latino/Latina and Multicultural
groups participate in stepping as well.
Stroll - a line dance done by members of National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations; usually
done at a step show
Yard - the term used to refer to the particular campus or university where a chapter is
located
