Statement on deaths at BGSU and VCU

We join members the Bowling Green State University and Virginia Commonwealth University communities in expressing our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Stone Foltz and Adam Oakes. While the circumstances surrounding these deaths are still under investigation, we must be clear that hazing is a betrayal of the fraternal vows to which every member commits and has no place on campus. When hard alcohol is added to the mix, it is a formula for tragedy.

The North American Interfraternity Conference is partnered with parents of hazing victims and other organizations to educate about hazing and advocate for stronger laws. Our efforts include advancing the END ALL Hazing Act in Congress and making hazing a felony through state legislation including Collin’s Law now before the Ohio State Legislature.

Additionally, the NIC will host a National Town Hall Tuesday, March 9, at 9 p.m. EST for Interfraternity Council presidents and advisors, fraternity staff and volunteers, and fraternity chapter presidents to discuss these developments and critical steps that every fraternity community should be taking to assist in preventing hazing. A recording will premiere shortly after the conclusion of the town hall via Facebook at facebook.com/nicfraternity.

March 7, 2021

Media contact:
Todd Shelton

Campus Support:
Will Foran

Protected: Media Resources

7 Keys to Crushing Your Virtual Fundraiser

Philanthropy is one of the most uplifting and unifying aspects of fraternity/sorority life, and it is needed now more than ever. Join us as we discuss 7 proven strategies to help you raise more money, increase engagement, and inspire your team, even if you have to do it all in a virtual environment. We’ll also look into some examples of virtual events that you can host safely and successfully, and we’ll have an interactive discussion about your own events where you can share experiences, learnings, and questions.

Keys to Virtual Recruitment: From Those Who Have Done It

Join the NIC team for a panel discussion with students and advisors well as students and advisors who have successfully hosted virtual recruitment along with President and co-Founder of Phired Up, Matt Mattson. We will focus on what has worked, what hasn’t, and what we have learned that can help you have a more successful recruitment this spring.

DOWNLOADS:

Preparing for Spring Recruitment: Get Phired Up For A New Approach to Growth

We’ve learned a lot about virtual (and hybrid) recruitment over the past few months, and have seen many success stories. Join Matt Mattson (President and co-Founder of Phired Up and TechniPhi) and Kenny White, an IFC Growth Expert for Phired Up & TechniPhi) in an engaging session on planning for virtual recruitment this spring. No matter the size of your community or structure of your recruitment, this webinar will provide you with tools and resources to help your council and community prepare, strategize, and get “Phired Up” for an important recruitment season.

Fraternity members report higher levels of positive mental health and support

As college students deal with more anxiety, depression and feelings of social isolation, a new report from the Postsecondary Education Research Center (PERC) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, found fraternity affiliated students report higher levels of positive mental health along with lower rates of depression and anxiety.

“One of the impacts of public health restrictions meant to keep people safe is that many students feel distanced and alone this year,” said Judson Horras, president and CEO of the North American Interfraternity Conference. “Fraternities are helping students cope, and they have always played an integral role in helping new students successfully transition to college life.”

The ability of students to succeed in higher education and beyond is dependent on their physical and mental well-being, and the nation’s higher education institutions are seeing increasing levels of mental illness, substance use, and other forms of emotional distress among their students according to a study published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Members of Pi Lambda Phi Fraternity volunteering for their local Feeding America center.

Fraternity and sorority members believe that good support systems exist on campus and are more likely to seek therapy or counseling at some point in their lives, according to the PERC report. Members have a lower chance of being diagnosed with depression throughout their lives. This is important at a time when a survey of more than 300,000 students finds 60 percent of college undergraduates are having an increasingly difficult time accessing mental health care, even before campuses closed and instruction moved online due to the pandemic.

The PERC report continues to reinforce the benefits of fraternity membership. In fall 2020, a study by Dr. Gary R. Pike of Indiana University supported his previous findings that fraternity and sorority membership is associated with significantly higher levels of engagement on a number of measures including high impact practices, collaborative learning, student-faculty interactions, perception of a supportive campus environment and discussions with diverse others—including people from different races, ethnicity, economic backgrounds, religious beliefs and political views.

“There have been several studies, including mine, that find positive relationships between fraternity/sorority membership and student engagement and student learning. While specific findings on a scale differ from study to study, the overall results are consistent about fraternities and sororities having this positive effect on students’ engagement in college,” said Dr. Pike.

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February 22, 2021

Full report: Mental Health Study Grant Report from the Postsecondary Education Research Center (PERC) at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, by Assalone, Grace and Biddix | DOWNLOAD

Statement regarding formation of Durham Interfraternity Council

February 15, 2021

We support Duke University student leaders’ in forming the Durham Interfraternity Council to focus on a safe and healthy fraternity experience while ensuring students have the opportunity to join fraternities, or any student organization, at the time that they feel is best for them. As research shows, fraternity members benefit from engagement significantly more than non-members, particularly in first-year students, and report higher levels of positive mental health along with lower rates of depression and anxiety which is important during the current pandemic.

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Media contact:
Todd Shelton

IFC Awards Program

The IFC Awards Program aims to recognize and celebrate outstanding Interfraternity Council (IFC) communities, student leaders and campus partners positively impacting and advancing the fraternal experience. Notably, those selected for these awards exemplify NIC Standards and Positions, and align with IFC Standard Operating Procedures.

Applications are CLOSED.

Application Process

One (1) application should be submitted on behalf of an IFC to be considered for any and all awards. Applicants shall indicate which awards they are applying for in a single application submission.

At least two (2) letters of recommendation are required and should be submitted with the application. These letters may be from the IFC, the college or university, an inter/national fraternity, another council, other student organization or community group. A single letter may support multiple award categories.

For example: if an IFC would like to be considered for Outstanding IFC, Outstanding Community Impact, and Outstanding IFC Advisor, one letter could be from a senior campus administrator in support of all 3 awards; another letter from the IFC in support of the Outstanding IFC Advisor; and another (albeit optional) letter from an inter/national fraternity in support of the Outstanding IFC Advisor. There is no need for individual letters for each award.

Winners will be notified in December and publicly announced in January.

Awards Categories

Outstanding IFC

Excellence in overall operations. Demonstrated advancement of the value of and access to the fraternity experience. Effectively creates interest in joining fraternities, coordinates educational experiences, promotes safety and prevention efforts and collectively addresses critical issues. Influence and engagement throughout campus activities and with administration. Champions cooperative action among fraternities.

Outstanding Community Impact

Initiatives dedicated to student retention, campus leadership, community building, belonging and inclusion, mental health, men’s health and wellness. Programs for community service and philanthropy. Efforts to improve public safety, neighborhood relations and non-profit partnerships.

Outstanding Peer Governance

Demonstrated commitment to peer accountability and conflict resolution. Effective goal setting, strategic planning and communications. Sound financial and administrative management.

Outstanding IFC President

Illustrated leadership that has been a driving force for growth, positive change and interfraternalism. Respected and admired by their peers.

Outstanding IFC Advisor

Campus-based professional providing exceptional guidance and support to an IFC community. Appropriately challenges students to be the best they can be. Collaborative partner addressing critical issues.

Note: The IFC Awards Program is separate from the NIC Awards of Distinction.

Check out the 2025 IFC Award winners.

Please direct questions to awards@nicfraternity.org. 

Protected: 2021 IFC Academy

NIC Statement regarding DEA Investigation in North Carolina

December 17, 2020

We are disturbed and disheartened to learn of this investigation and the alleged criminal involvement by some fraternity members. The reported activities are not representative of fraternity expectations and standards. We support the ongoing investigation and believe anyone found to be involved should be held accountable by law enforcement, the university and their individual fraternity.

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Media contact:
Todd Shelton, Chief Communication Officer