Fraternities and Sororities

Types of Fraternities and Sororities

This campus has four different types of Greek letter organizations commonly referred to as fraternities and sororities:

• Social fraternities and sororities
• Professional fraternities and sororities
• Honor societies
• Recognition societies

These organizations differ in purpose, membership requirements and focus of interest. Professional, honor, and recognition societies on the Madison campus can register as student organizations, are frequently affiliated with academic departments or schools and colleges, and are usually composed of both men and women.

Social Fraternities and Sororities

Social fraternities and sororities offer membership to students without regard to a field of study or class year, and typically have a minimum grade requirement.. Social fraternities and sororities have a social component to them and deem one of their core values as fellowship or friendship. The individual and the organization's members base membership on mutual choice. Social fraternities and sororities are self-governing and self-supporting organizations. Many fraternity and sorority chapters own chapter homes, however these homes are privately owned and operated by the organization’s alumni members and not by the university.

Most social fraternities and sororities are single sex organizations. While social fraternities and sororities may not discriminate on the basis of age, color, creed, handicap, national origin, race, religion, or sexual orientation, university policy and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 do permit their selection of members on the basis of gender. To find out more information about social fraternities and sororities, please check-out: www.uwgreek.org.

Professional Fraternities and Sororities

Many academic majors have fraternities and sororities especially for students in that major or school/college. Many times these organizations are co-ed, however sometimes they are single-sex organizations. If an organization is a single-sex fraternity or sorority, it is required to be departmentally sponsored in order to become a Registered Student Organization (RSO).

Honor Societies and Recognition Societies

Honor and recognition societies usually have minimum G.P.A. and academic year requirements and may require one to fill out an application. These organizations are co-ed and may require you to be a specific major or affiliation.

National Affiliations

Social fraternities and sororities on this campus are established as local chapters of national organizations. Chapters are required to be affiliated with a national organization, and subsequently ascribe to and follow the policies of the national organization. Chapters are also required to hold membership in a governance councils.

Starting a New Fraternity or Sorority on Campus

In order to be a single-sex organizations covered by Title IX, fraternities and sororities, both social and professional are required abide by the following guidelines in order to be registered with the university:

• Represent a fraternity and sorority, which is affiliated with a national organization.
• Be a RSO (Registered Student Organization).
• Be recognized/sponsored by a Greek governance council or a University department.

Student groups wishing to be registered as a social fraternity or sorority must apply for membership to the appropriate governance council as defined in this chapter. Groups can contact the governing council's president to request petitioning criteria materials in order to apply for membership. Each council has its own respective membership criteria, petitioning requirements and selection procedures. Also, each council determines standards, policies and codes of conduct for their member organizations.

When a governing council has admitted a group, that group may apply for status as a Registered Student Organization and be granted access to university facilities and other privileges accorded to RSO status.

Fraternity and Sorority Contact Information

Social fraternities and sororities are regulated by four governance councils; the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and the Panhellenic Association (PHA). Each council is self governing, but works closely with a Fraternity/Sorority Coordinator who is a staff member of the Center for Leadership and Involvement. These governance councils have the authority to determine and enforce policies and procedures that guide their member organizations.

In 1989, the Commission on the Future of Fraternities and Sororities was established to evaluate, define and recommend the relationship between the University and the fraternities and sororities.

Many students and chapters are unavailable in the summer; even some phone numbers are disconnected during this time. Call the Center for Leadership and Involvement at 608-263-0365 for further information.

To receive further recruitment or general information, go to their own independently run website at http://www.uwgreek.org.

Center for Leadership and Involvement: Contact Information

Becky Koltonski - Greek Life and Involvement Specialist
bkoltonski@studentlife.wisc.edu
608.890.3329

716 Langdon Street
Red Gym, 3rd Floor
Madison, WI 53706