Fraternities & Sororities On Campus
Joining a Fraternity or Sorority
The process of joining a fraternity or sorority is one of mutual selection. Fraternities and sororities use different means to acquaint themselves with interested students and to allow prospective members to learn about the organization.
- Steps to Join
- Know the Rules About Joining. Fraternities and sororities are permitted to recruit potential members continuously and several organizations take more than one new member class each semester. The only requirements are that you must have a minimum 2.5 and 12 credit hours and be a full-time student to join, that all recruitment events must be alcohol free and that new members must be initiated by the end of the semester. First semester students are not allowed to join these organizations but are encouraged to attend events coordinated by fraternities and sororities to find out more about them. Exceptions may be made for first semester students to join organizations with the designation of Chapters of Excellence. Students transferring from another higher education institution who have earned a minimum of 2.5 cumulative GPA and 12 credit hours may also be granted an exception.
- Participate in an All-Fraternity and Sorority Event. SUNY Plattsburgh’s Inter-Sorority Association and Interfraternity Council do not coordinate formal recruitment processes. However, they provide campus-wide programming throughout the year to allow non-affiliated students to become acquainted with them. These events are free and open to all students. In addition, each fraternity and sorority hosts many events and programs that are open to all students. These include recruitment events, informationals, educational programs, social, philanthropic/service and sporting events. Visit the events calendar to learn more about recruitment and other events being hosted by our fraternal organizations.
- Ask Questions. The best way to learn more about fraternity and sorority life is to ask questions. Don’t hesitate to ask any fraternity and sorority member you meet about their organization — they will be happy to share their accomplishments and goals. You should also feel free to contact fraternity and sorority life for more information about how to find a fraternity or sorority that is right for you. Stop by the office, located in the Angell College Center, call 518-564-4825 or email [email protected].
- Contact Us. Contact [email protected] with your name, phone number and email address if you would like to be contacted by fraternities and sororities throughout the semester.
- Requirements
In order to join, you must have completed 12 credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.5 at SUNY Plattsburgh and be a full-time student. Please note that most of our fraternities and sororities have GPA requirements to join that exceed a 2.5 cumulative; if that is the case, then you must meet the organization’s requirement before joining. Students who do not meet this requirement (including first semester students) may attend fraternity and sorority programs and events; however, they may not join or accept ANY form of membership in a fraternity and sorority. Students, organizations and members who fail to adhere to this policy are subject to student conduct action, which may include suspension from the college.
Groups that have been chosen as “Chapters of Excellence” may petition the college’s Committee on Fraternal Affairs and be permitted to accept first semester students as members. In addition, students transferring from another higher education institution may apply for an exception to join. First-semester first-year students, transfer or readmitted students must submit a First Semester and Transfer Student Application to join a fraternity or sorority that includes a copy of their high school transcript and permission from a parent or guardian if the student is under the age of 21.
NOTE: Students may NOT join organizations that have lost recognition from the college. These organizations have been closed by the college and international organizations because they were not upholding fraternal values and were engaging in risky behaviors that endangered themselves and other students. Students who join organizations that are not recognized by the college are subject to judicial action, including dismissal. The following groups ARE NOT recognized by SUNY Plattsburgh: Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity, Pi Alpha Nu Fraternity and Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity.
- Questions to Ask When Choosing
- What is the purpose of the organization?
- Why should I join? What aspects of the fraternity or sorority encouraged you to join?
- How will joining your organization benefit me?
- What are the financial obligations of membership? Are there any extra costs the semester you join?
- Explain what the time commitment looks like for an average week in the life of a member. What happens if I have a time conflict?
- What is required during the new member education/orientation/intake process? How much time does it take? Can I see an outline of the new member education/intake program? What percentage of new members are initiated?
- What is your organization’s position on hazing?
- What does this organization do to support its members academically? What is the chapter GPA?
- What does this organization do for the college and community? What are your expectations of members in regards to participating in community service?
- Are the members involved in activities outside of the fraternity?
- What is your organization’s relationship with other fraternities and sororities? What do you think your reputation is on campus?
- Is your organization a Chapter of Excellence? Why or why not?
- Is this a national or local organization? What do you see as the benefits of joining one over the other?
- Have you had any problems with the college, international organization or the city in the past?
- Are there any housing obligations?
Hazing: A Trust Betrayed
Most students joining fraternities and sororities and other campus groups have a positive experience. However, no college is immune to the possibility of unacceptable behavior among its students. SUNY Plattsburgh takes an aggressive stand against hazing and is committed to educating our students about hazing and its consequences. The publication, Hazing: A Trust Betrayed, has been developed to help our campus community understand the crime of hazing, what it looks like and how to report it. Hazing can be reported by any student, faculty, staff, family or community member. There are three primary ways to report hazing:
- Contact University Police at 518-564-2022
- Call the Hazing Hotline at 518-564-5555
- Submit an an online report
Hazing may be reported confidentially or anonymously. However, it is important that all hazing reports include very detailed information about who was involved, where and when the alleged incident occurred, and what exactly happened.
Alphabetical Listing of Fraternities & Sororities
Fraternities
- Alpha Sigma Phi — Chapter of Excellence
Delta Xi Chapter
- President: Juan Cordero
- Email:[email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Gordon Muir, associate librarian
- Motto: “Causa Latet Vis Est Notissima.”
- Philanthropy: RAINN (Rape Abuse Incest National Network), Shatterproof, Aware Awake Alive, Active Minds, Homes for Our Troops
- Colors: Cardinal and Stone
- Symbol/Mascot: The Phoenix
- Founded: Yale University on Dec. 6, 1845
- Membership: 30 members, 6 new members
- Organization GPA: 3.13 (above the All-Men’s GPA)
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 24
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $99
- Awards: Chapter of Excellence, Most Improved GPA, Excellence in Service & Philanthropy Showcase
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Chi Phi
Omicron Theta Chapter
- President: Lucas Sheraw
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Linda Carpenter, instructional support
- Motto: Truth, Honor and Personal Integrity
- Philanthropy: Boys and Girls Clubs of America
- Colors: Scarlet and Blue
- Symbol/Mascot: Chakett
- Founded: Princeton University on Dec. 24, 1824
- Membership: 25 members, 3 new members
- Organization GPA: 2.56
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 2
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $108
- Awards: Outstanding Service Initiative Award
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Delta Sigma Phi
Iota Nu Chapter
- President: John Vilca
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Michael Morgan, professor of communications disorders and sciences
- Motto: “Better Men, Better Lives”
- Philanthropy: American Red Cross and United Way of the Adirondack Region
- Colors: Nile Green and White
- Symbol/Mascot: The Sphinx
- Flower: White Carnation
- Founded: City College of New York on Dec. 10, 1899
- Membership: 20 members, 4 new members
- Organization GPA: 2.23
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 3
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $85
- Awards: Outstanding Philanthropy Initiative
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Sigma Tau Gamma
Epsilon Lambda Chapter
- President: Jackson Briggs
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Thomas Thompson, writing skills specialist, Student Support Services
- Philanthropy: Special Olympics and Journey Into Reading
- Colors: Azure Blue and White
- Flower: White Rose
- Founded: Central Missouri State Teacher’s College on June 28, 1920.
- Membership: 21 members, 1 new member
- Organization GPA: 2.58
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 2
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $44
- Awards: N/A
- Organization Status: Suspension of Recognition
- Tau Kappa Epsilon
Sigma Gamma Chapter
- President: Eddie Heydens
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Jim Sherman, director of campus housing/community living
- Philanthropy: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- Colors: Cherry and Gray
- Flower: Red Carnation
- Founded: Illinois Wesleyan University on Jan. 10, 1899.
- Membership: 43 members, 10 new members
- Organization GPA: 2.81
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 13
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $214
- Awards: No More Cancer Rally for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Highest Fundraising Team, Outstanding Service Initiative Award
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Theta Gamma — Chapter of Excellence
Nu Chapter
- President: Antonio Romano
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Taj Ellis, senior counselor, educational opportunity program
- Philanthropy: Camp Ta-Kum-Ta for Childhood Cancer and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
- Colors: Black and Gold
- Founded: SUNY Canton on Jan. 16, 1912
- Membership: 12 members, 1 new member
- Organization GPA: 3.24 (above the All-Men’s GPA)
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 37
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $271
- Awards: Chapter of Excellence, Gordon Muir Fraternal Camaraderie Award, Outstanding Service Initiative Award, Outstanding Philanthropy Initiative Award
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Zeta Beta Tau
Provisional Organization
- President: Zabdiel Wahlang
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Dr. Vincent Carey, professor of history
- Philanthropy: Children’s Miracle Network and Jewish Women International
- Colors: Medium Blue, White and Gold
- Flower: Gold Carnation
- Founded: December 29, 1898
- Membership: 15 members, 2 new members
- Organization GPA: 2.81
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 8
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $58
- Awards: Outstanding Service Initiative Award
- Organization Status: Good standing
Sororities
- Alpha Epsilon Phi — Chapter of Excellence
Phi Tau Chapter
- President: Brooke Aussicker
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Teri Deyo, lecturer in education
- Motto: Multa Corda, Una Causa — “Many hearts, one purpose”
- Philanthropy: Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric Aids Foundation and Sharsharet
- Colors: Green and White
- Symbol/Mascot: Giraffe
- Flower: Lily of the Valley
- Founded: Barnard College on Oct. 24, 1909
- Membership: 56 members, 8 new members
- Organization GPA: 3.28 (above the All-Women’s GPA)
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 27
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $92
- Awards: Chapter of Excellence, Gordon Muir Fraternal Camaraderie Award, Outstanding Service Initiative Award, Excellence in Risk Management & Harm Reduction Showcase
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Alpha Phi Fraternity — Chapter of Excellence
Theta Psi Chapter
- President: Victoria Donovan
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Kelci Henn, women's tennis coach
- Motto: “Union hand in hand”
- Philanthropy: Women’s Cardiac Care
- Colors: Silver and Bordeaux
- Symbol: Ivy Leaf, “Phi Bear”
- Flower: Lily of the Valley
- Founded: Syracuse University on Oct. 10, 1872
- Membership: 28 members, 2 new members
- Organization GPA: 3.47 (above the All-Women’s GPA)
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 27
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $134
- Awards: Chapter of Excellence, Most Improved Chapter, Scholastic Cup (Highest GPA), Outstanding Educational Program Initiative Award
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Delta Phi Epsilon — Chapter of Excellence
Epsilon Pi Chapter
- President: Meara Regan
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Colleen Lemza, professor of public relations
- Motto: Esse Quam Videri — “To be rather than to seem to be”
- Philanthropy: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
- Colors: Royal Purple and Pure Gold
- Symbol/Mascot: Unicorn
- Flower: Purple Iris
- Founded: New York University on March 17, 1917
- Membership: 60 members, 5 new members
- Organization GPA: 3.31 (above the All-Women’s GPA)
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 12
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $108
- Awards: Chapter of Excellence, Outstanding Philanthropy Initiative, Excellence in Financial Management Showcase
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Lambda Pi Upsilon Sorority, Latinas Poderosas Unidas, Inc.
Phenomenal Phi Chapter
- President: Jayda Harris
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Michele Bonati, assistant professor, teacher education
- Motto: “Con Amor, Dignidad, y Orgullo”
- Philanthropy: Immigration
- Colors: Red, White, Gold and Black
- Symbol/Mascot: Jaguar
- Flower: Fire and Ice Rose
- Founded: SUNY Geneseo on Nov. 6, 1992
- Membership: 4 members, 2 new members
- Organization GPA: 3.00
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 2
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $0
- Awards:
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. — Inactive
Sigma Chapter
- President:
- Email:
- Faculty Advisor: Karin Killough, director, Learning Center
- Motto: Sirviendo y Educando Araves de Nuestra Diversidad — “Serving and educating through our diversity”
- Philanthropy: Raising Awareness of Violence Against Women
- Colors: Black, Forest Green, and Gold
- Symbol/Mascot: Hummingbird
- Flower: Sunflower
- Founded: University of Albany on March 15, 1989
- Membership: 3 members
- Organization GPA: 3.19 (above the All-Women's Average)
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 8
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $268
- Awards:
- Organization Status: Inactive
- Sigma Delta Tau — Chapter of Excellence
Gamma Upsilon Chapter
- President: Samara Ritchie
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Jessica Loveless, assistant director, student recruitment marketing
- Motto: Patrial Multal Spes Una — “One hope of many people”
- Philanthropy: Prevent Child Abuse America, Jewish Women International
- Colors: Cafe au Lait and Old Blue
- Symbol/Mascot: Dolphin
- Flower: Golden Tea Rose
- Founded: Cornell University on March 25, 1917
- Membership: 53 members, 7 new members
- Organization GPA: 3.21 (above the All-Women's Average)
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 14
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $87
- Awards: Chapter of Excellence, Outstanding Educational Program Initiative, Outstanding Service Initiative Award
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Theta Alpha Lambda
- President: Rebecca Hirst
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Lauren Currie, internal control, risk management officer
- Philanthropy: Clinton County Stop Domestic Violence
- Colors: Navy Blue and Gold
- Symbol/Mascot: Lunchbox
- Flower: Chrysanthemum
- Founded: SUNY Plattsburgh on Sept. 27, 1966
- Membership: 1 member
- Organization GPA: GPA Above the All-Women's Average
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 27
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $363
- Awards:
- Organization Status: Good standing
- Theta Phi Alpha Fraternity — Chapter of Excellence
Delta Alpha Chapter
- President: Maggie Deans
- Email: [email protected]
- Faculty Advisor: Autumn Esposito, access & academic coordinator
- Philanthropy: The House That Theta Phi Alpha Built, Camp Friendship, Glenmary Home Missioners
- Colors : Silver, Gold and Blue
- Symbol/Mascot: Penguin
- Flower: White Rose
- Founded: University of Michigan Ann Arbor on Aug. 30, 1912
- Membership: 32 members, 5 new members
- Organization GPA: 3.3 (Above the All-Women's Average)
- Service Hours Completed per Member: 25
- Philanthropy Dollars Raised per Member: $99
- Awards: Chapter of Excellence, Outstanding Philanthropy Initiative Award, Outstanding Educational Program Initiative, Outstanding Service Initiative Award, Outstanding New Member Class GPA, Excellence in Risk Management & Harm Reduction Showcase, Excellence in Recruitment & Growth Showcase
- Organization Status: Good standing
Comparative Statistics
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