- What is a 'Greek' organization?
- What are the different fraternity and sorority chapters at Syracuse University?
- How do I join a fraternity and sorority?
- When can I join?
- How much does it cost to belong to a fraternity or sorority at Syracuse?
What is a 'Greek' organization?
There are several different types of fraternities and sororities, sometimes referred to as Greek-letter organizations; social, honorary, service, and pre-professional are all examples. Fraternities and sororities may be defined as a group of individuals joined together by common goals and aspirations. Fraternities and sororities were founded on, among many things, sisterhood/brotherhood, loyalty, and service. The Greek letters that represent these organizations' names are meant to remind members of their founding ideals. All of Syracuse University’s fraternities and sororities are chapters of national or international organizations.
What are the different fraternity and sorority chapters at Syracuse University?
All of the fraternities and sororities at Syracuse University are chapters of national or international organizations. Each chapter falls under one of the six governing councils: Interfraternity Council (IFC), National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), National Panhellenic Conference (NPC), and the Professional Fraternity Council (PFC). All Syracuse University recognized fraternities and sororities are a part of one of these councils and are held accountable to their policies, rules, and regulations. View a full listing of all councils and chapters at Syracuse University.
How do I join a fraternity and sorority?
There is a different process for joining organizations, depending on the governing council. National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) recruitment begins during the spring semester and consists of two weekends of organized activities through which 13 Panhellenic sororities introduce themselves to potential new members. The Interfraternity Council has a formal recruitment process during the fall and spring semesters, in which the fraternities provide formal information sessions. Brothers and alumni discuss the unique aspects of their chapter with prospective members, financial obligations, time commitments, and membership requirements.
National Pan-Hellenic Council, National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, Multicultural Greek Council, and Professional Fraternity Council allows students to solicit membership through informationals. Based on mutual interest of the potential member, the chapter will then extend a membership offer. Those who accept the offer will then go through the new membership process to become fully initiated brothers and sisters.
When can I join?
Syracuse University operates under a "deferred recruitment" system, which means students are not eligible to join a fraternity or sorority until their second semester freshman year. Although each governing council has a different recruitment and membership process, all students participating in those processes must be at least a second semester freshman. All students, including transfer students, must have a minimum of 12 semester credit hours from Syracuse University or SUNY ESF and a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to join any of the 50-plus chapters from Syracuse University.
How much does it cost to belong to a fraternity or sorority at Syracuse?
Each chapter’s dues are diverse and new member dues are often higher than annual dues because new members pay for their pins, national dues, and insurances.