Recruitment Fall 2027

Student Engagement Services

Yes. Fraternity and sorority life remains a pathway for belonging, leadership, mentorship, service, and lifelong connection at WSU. This initiative only affects when new students can participate in recruitment or intake, not whether they can join.

WSU wants students to establish a connection to the university before making a long-term affiliation decision. A student’s first semester provides time to adjust to university life, build relationships, understand campus resources, explore different opportunities, and learn about the expectations and responsibilities associated with fraternity or sorority membership.

Deferred recruitment is one part of a broader approach to student belonging and success. It is not an isolated policy change.

Under the new framework, new students would become eligible to participate in recruitment or membership intake after completing at least one semester and meeting WSU’s other eligibility requirements. Final timelines and council-specific processes are still being developed. 

WSU is developing the specific definition, including the number of credits required, enrollment status, academic standing, and treatment of credits earned before enrolling at WSU. Those requirements will be published before the new process takes effect. 

Transfer-student eligibility requirements are still being developed. WSU will clarify how previous college enrollment, completed terms, transferred credits, and academic standing will be considered.

Yes. Students would be encouraged to learn about WSU’s recognized fraternities and sororities, explore the different councils, attend registered informational and community events, and meet members.

Fraternity and sororities are encouraged to host events that demonstrate the values of their organizations, and showcase their impact in community, philanthropy, and connection. These events will allow for students to meet members, and understand the organizational benefits and responsibilities. Students cannot be issued a bid or participate in new member (pledge) activities until they meet WSU’s eligibility requirements.

Updated for clarity 10/29/26

Students who have completed the required semester or credit threshold and meet WSU’s other eligibility requirements would be able to participate in recruitment or intake according to the timeline established for the applicable council or organization.

Yes. Recruitment and membership intake would continue, but the timing and processes will change. Because councils and organizations use different recruitment and intake processes, WSU will provide council-specific information as those details are finalized.

WSU recognizes that a change in recruitment timing may affect membership, finances, housing, advising, and chapter operations. The university will provide a phased transition and work with chapters, alumni, advisors, housing corporations, and national organizations to understand impacts and identify needed support.

Alumni and advisors can help WSU and chapters anticipate operational effects, redesign recruitment and student engagement, support student leaders, coordinate with national organizations, and develop responsible transition plans. They may also be invited to participate in consultations or implementation of working groups.

WSU also hopes this initiative provides more opportunities for alumni to connect with current students.

WSU plans to provide direct communications, consultation opportunities, written updates, updated FAQs, and clear points of contact throughout the design and implementation process.

Chapters will need to adjust recruitment timelines, outreach activities, membership planning, new-member education, and fall programming. WSU intends to work with chapters and councils to develop expectations and provide time and support for a responsible transition.

WSU recognizes that recruitment timing may affect the timing of chapter membership growth and operations, while also supporting chapter’s ability to better understand who they are recruiting into their membership. The transition process will include opportunities to consider recruitment design, student engagement before eligibility, membership planning, financial impacts, and chapter-specific support.

The framework allows for appropriate educational and exploratory engagement before eligibility. WSU will provide clear guidelines for distinguishing approved informational activities from recruitment, intake, bidding, and new-member activities.

WSU will establish common institutional requirements for students to participate, and recruitment and intake processes will continue to meet the unique requirements of each council and organization. Council-specific guidance will be developed in consultation with council leadership, students, advisors, and organizational partners.