Fraternities and Sororities 

Fraternities and sororities are part of a long-standing tradition at Colgate, dating back to the first fraternity charter adopted in 1856. Nearly 30 percent of all Colgate students and almost 40 percent of all eligible* Colgate students are involved in Greek life.

 
*Students must be at least a sophomore to join a fraternity or sorority at Colgate University.

Mission

We support fraternity and sorority membership development and organizational development in the areas of leadership, scholarship, inclusivity, and service.

Leadership

Defined as: providing skills and preparation to influence change in the Colgate Community. We provide leadership coaching to officers, officer-training sessions, and we produce the Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Retreat. 

Some opportunities to develop leadership within fraternities and sororities:

• Self-governance structures in each organization
• Multiple officer roles for students
• Representation on governing councils
• Representation on Greek Life Advisory Council
• Annual Fraternity and Sorority Leadership Retreat
• Officer-training programs

Scholarship

Defined as: acquiring knowledge and pursuing academic excellence. We provide students with connections to academic support services and administrative advising, tracking of chapter GPAs, and we support the local chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha honor society.

Some ways fraternities and sororities demonstrate a commitment to scholarship:

• GPA requirement for membership
• Connecting with faculty outside the classroom through professor teas, receptions, etc.
• Providing awards and scholarships for academic success
• Chapter scholarship chairs connected to Career Services, the Writing Center, and the Center for Learning, Teaching, and Research

Inclusivity

Defined as: developing awareness, knowledge, and skills to build a welcoming and pluralistic community. We provide tailored workshops to fraternities and sororities, assist with ensuring a welcoming and productive recruitment process, and work to develop strong new member and continuing member education opportunities. 

Some ways fraternities and sororities demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity:

• Sponsorship of diverse and energizing speakers on campus
• Co-sponsorship of programs with a diverse array of organizations on campus

Service

Defined as: supporting and raising awareness for charitable causes and opportunities to make a difference in the local community. We work with the Center for Outreach, Volunteerism, and Education (COVE) to support the coordination of efforts in the areas of service. Some ways fraternities and sororities demonstrate a commitment to service:

• Each organization is linked to a local or national philanthropy
• Chapters put in countless hours and raise significant sums of money for various philanthropies
• All philanthropy chairs operate independently as well as work on a committee through the COVE that coordinates their philanthropic endeavors
• Organizations host charity events to raise funds for charitable causes such as the “Party for Pink,” “Concert for the Cure,” and “the Huntsman Cup”

Contact Us at:
Fouad Saleet
Assistant Dean of Campus Life
Adviser to the Panhellenic Association and Inter-Fraternity Council
Dean of the College Office
Lathrop 103
315-228-7426
fsaleet@colgate.edu