There’s more to being Greek than meets the eye.

To start a new Greek chapter on campus, students must go through a lengthy process. The first part of the process is when students must apply to and appear in front of the Greek Life Standards Board.

“We have to make sure that they are a viable organization with the right resources before they can start recruiting members,” said Chris Juhl, activities adviser for Greek Affairs. “Without our approval, they cannot be recognized by the SA.”

If the opportunity is granted by the board, the group then is sent to one of the three councils of the Greek system that they would fit best in, the Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council or National Pan-Hellenic Council, Juhl said.

To decide whether to grant the new organizations the opportunity to form, the board has many criteria to consider.

“We look at what the current status of the campus is, and whether or not a new Greek organization could help it or hurt it,” Juhl said. “We also try to think about whether or not the organization would provide something that the campus doesn’t already have.”

In general, once the students have the permission to recruit, members do not have to pay dues for their first active semester, Juhl said. During their second active semester, members pay half of what everyone else pays, and starting in the third semester, members pay the full amount.

Housing facilities for Greek organizations are not required by the university. Only 22 of the 35 current Greek Life Standards Board organizations have facilities.

“It varies from semester to semester as far as how easy it is to get a house,” Juhl said. “But once they get recognized, it’s up to them to find one – we stay out of that.”

Juhl said there currently are about six or seven groups interested in bringing a new Greek chapter to NIU. On Oct. 24, these groups will appear before the board in an attempt to become a part of the Greek community.