Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations (FSL) are distinctive in the way they recruit, select and initiate new members. To participate in the rush and new member program, Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations must be recognized and be in good standing with the College, SGA and Fraternity and Sorority Life Council. Students choosing to join a Fraternity and Sorority Life organization at Wilmington College are often referred to as Prospective New Members, Associate Members, or Pledges. For clarity purposes, Wilmington College will identify and name these students as Prospective New Member, hereafter referred as “PNM”.
Each organization may conduct one formal rush activity (defined as a Fraternity and Sorority Life organization event for prospective members for the purpose of formally introducing their organization purpose, activities, membership, and alumni) each semester. Rushes may take place in the fall and spring semesters. A Fraternity and Sorority Life organization rush may not overlap with any other competing Fraternity and Sorority Life organization’s activity. Other parties and activities exhibiting characteristics of and for the primary purpose of serving as a rush party are prohibited.
Rush activities may be directed toward any full-time student that meet the following criteria:
a. First semester student with a high school GPA of 3.00 or higher.
b. First semester student with at least 18 hours of post-secondary work accepted by Wilmington College.
c. Wilmington College students who have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours and are in good standing with a minimum 2.3 GPA or higher.
d. Transfer students with at least 12 credit hours from their previous institution accepted by Wilmington College and are in good standing with a minimum 2.7 GPA or higher from their previous institution(s).
e. A PNM is defined as a prospective new member, associate member, or pledge who participates in a new member education program to learn the organization’s history; to know the mission and tradition of their Fraternity and Sorority Life organization; and to develop interpersonal relationships with active members, alumni and fellow pledges.
No alcoholic beverages shall be associated in any manner or form with any rush activity.
Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations, regardless of housing status (College or non-College owned), conducting a pledge/new member education program must be alcohol-free throughout the entire PNM season.
PNMs may not have been active the previous semester in another Fraternity and Sorority Life organization at Wilmington College. All exceptions should be approved by the Director of Engagement and Fraternity and Sorority Life. Rushes shall be conducted during the weeks prior to the start of New Member season.
Fraternity and Sorority Life organizations will abide by the rush and PNM season rules and dates set by the Fraternity and Sorority Life Council. A list of rush dates for each semester is set forth at the last Fraternity and Sorority Life Council meeting of the previous academic year and can be provided at by the Director of Engagement and Fraternity and Sorority Life Office upon request.
All bids (an individual formal invitation by a Fraternity and Sorority Life organization inviting an eligible prospective student to join the organization) will be issued on Bid Day or later, which will be specified by the Fraternity and Sorority Life Council each semester.
Each Fraternity and Sorority Life organization must provide a list of its PNMs to the Director of Engagement and Fraternity and Sorority Life by 12:00 p.m. (noon) of Wednesday prior to the first full day of PNM season. The Director of Engagement and Fraternity and Sorority Life will validate the eligibility of each prospective PNM and notify the organization and advisor by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on the first day of PNM season of any prospective PNMs who are ineligible to continue the PNM program.
All PNMs who have chosen to join a Fraternity and Sorority Life organization must attend the College’s PNM Education Program prior to participating in any PNM activity. PNMs must also complete and submit the Fraternity and Sorority Life New Member Acceptance Card.
PNM class (defined as most and/or all the PNM class) activities that have the potential to create disturbance in the residence halls are not allowed. PNM class residents must notify and seek approval from their residence hall advisor prior to any PNM class activity in their residence hall. PNM class activities and related PNM homework must be following all College and Housing and Residence Life policies and procedures.
No PNM class activities can be conducted past 1:00 a.m. through 7:00 a.m., Monday through Friday. PNM class activities may not exceed two and one-half hours per day and no more than four days Sunday through Thursday.
PNM class activities that create conspicuous disturbance (i.e. noise, risky or inappropriate behavior) on or off campus are not allowed.
Weekend PNM activities (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon) will be limited to a total of five hours per weekend.
PNMs may not perform or maintain PNM activities in the classroom. Specifically, they will not carry paddles or dress in a way that would be considered demeaning or derogatory. They will not address their active members in any unusual or conspicuous manner.
PNM season dates for both the fall and spring semesters will be established annually by the Office of Engagement and Fraternity and Sorority Life at the final Fraternity and Sorority Life Council meeting of the preceding academic year. Due to variations in the academic calendar and semester start dates each year, organizations must operate in accordance with the published Fraternity and Sorority Life schedule for the applicable academic year. PNM season may not exceed eight (8) consecutive weeks.
Any exceptions to the above stated policies must have the Fraternity and Sorority Life organization advisors and the Director of Engagement and Fraternity and Sorority Life’s written approval.