Fraternities and sororities have been a part of the UA student experience since before we started saying "Bear Down" and we are excited at the possibility of sharing it with you!
Why Join a Fraternity or Sorority?
Joining a fraternity or sorority is a wonderful way to get involved on campus and add to your college experience. Greek organizations are so much more than what you see in movies or on TV. We hope that after exploring our website you have a better understanding of what being a member of the UA Greek community means. If you have reviewed the available resources and still have questions, please email DOS-Greek@arizona.edu.
Every fraternity/sorority at UA belongs to one of the three councils. Each council has a peer-elected Executive Board that consists of student leaders who work together to plan events, provide trainings and resources to chapters, and more.
Fraternities (men’s organizations) belong to either the Interfraternity Council (IFC) or the United Sorority & Fraternity Council. Click here to learn more about the fraternity experience at U of A.
Sororities (women’s organizations) belong to either the Panhellenic Council (PHC) or the United Sorority & Fraternity Council (USFC). Click here to learn more about the sorority experience at U of A.
The Experience
Fraternities and sororities are organizations that are driven by their values and history. While each organization has their own values/pillars, there are commonalities amongst them. These values greatly inform the chapter experience.
The most common chapter values, which are also the UA FSP pillars, are:
- Academics
- Leadership
- Community Service & Philanthropy
- Siblinghood/Friendship
- Health/Safety
Academics
Academic excellence is a vital aspect of fraternity and sorority membership at the University of Arizona. Scholastic standards are important for each chapter and the community as a whole. Programming, incentives, recognition and ongoing support help fraternity and sorority members achieve academic success. Academic achievement is the reason students are at the University of Arizona: fraternities and sororities are designed to help their members meet that goal.
Leadership
Strong Foundations. Future Leaders. This is the UA fraternity and sorority way. Developing leaders today for life after college is an important part of Greek involvement. Fraternity and sorority members participate in a variety of programs that provide leadership development. There are many ways to be a leader in UA’s Greek community, including chapter or council officer positions, national or regional leadership conferences, campus-based leadership opportunities and committee involvement.
Community Service & Philanthropy
Giving back to the local, national, and global community is a key component of the fraternity and sorority experience. Members are provided with opportunities to participate in hands-on volunteer work and implement philanthropic events to raise money for charitable causes. The opportunities ensure that fraternity and sorority members will have an impact on their community and develop lifelong habits of giving back.
Siblinghood/Friendship
Joining a fraternity or sorority is about building lifelong relationships that extend beyond ordinary friendships. Bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood are formed within an organization and provide Fraternity and Sorority members with a home away from home, mentorship, career networking and a sense of community at a large university. Fraternity and sorority members enjoy lifelong connections that can provide support and celebration in life’s significant moments.
Health/Safety
Safety and Harm Prevention is one of FSP’s top priorities, and we expect members of our community to take health and safety as seriously as we do. Chapters have deep partnerships with subject matter experts like The Office of Public Safety, University of Arizona Police Department, Campus Health Services, and more. Members get specialized training in a variety of health and safety topics annually.
Why Join a Greek Organization?
Joining a fraternity or sorority is about building lifelong relationships that extend beyond ordinary friendships. Bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood are formed within an organization and provide members with a home away from home, academic motivation/support, mentorship, career networking, opportunities to give back to the community, a close group of support at a large university, and so much more.
Being a part of a fraternity or sorority exposes students to new ideas and experiences that they may not have encountered otherwise. The benefits of membership are extensive, and they fit into people’s lives long after graduation.
Points to Consider
Joining a sorority or fraternity requires making an educated decision about the organization of which you will be a life-long member. Please utilize chapter and national websites, as well as asking the following questions of chapter leaders and individual members
- What are the financial obligations for membership?
- How will membership in this organization benefit me? Personally? Academically?
- What leadership opportunities are available for me in this organization?
- In what community service activities does the chapter participate?
- Will I be required to live in the chapter house (if applicable) as a member?
- What were some of the organization's greatest accomplishments of the past year?
- In what other organizations are members involved? What leadership positions do they hold in other organizations?
- What type of regular social activities does the chapter hold?
- What is the chapter’s GPA requirement?
- What is the recruitment/intake or new member education process like?
- What is this organization looking for in an ideal member?
Learn More About Interfraternity Council (IFC) Fraternity Recruitment
Learn More About Panhellenic Council (PHC) Sorority Recruitment
Learn More About United Sorority & Fraternity Council (USFC) Intake/Recruitment
With questions about access or to request any disability-related accommodations that will facilitate your full participation in any of the above mentioned programs or events such as ASL interpreting, captioned videos, Braille or electronic text, etc. please contact: Fraternity and Sorority Programs at DOS-Greek@arizona.edu.
The University of Arizona is committed to fostering a learning, working, and living environment free from all forms of discrimination, including harassment. The University’s Nondiscrimination and Anti-harassment Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. Fraternities and sororities do not discriminate in membership selection practices on any basis prohibited by law or policy, except for the exemption on the basis of sex granted under Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 for social fraternities/sororities.