Fraternity and Sorority Recruitment

The fraternity and sorority community at Colgate is composed of eight internationally affiliated organizations. Many students find that joining a fraternity or sorority provides them with a home away from home and a foundation for leadership, academic, athletic, service, and interpersonal opportunities. The decision to join a fraternity or sorority is a lifelong commitment, with connections lasting long after graduation.

Recruitment Process

Fraternity and Sorority Recruitment typically takes place in September each fall. Information about registration is made available each summer in August.

Each fall semester, the Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils sponsor formal recruitment — an opportunity for eligible non-affiliated students to become acquainted with the various organizations.

During formal recruitment, eligible non-affiliated students have the opportunity to visit all of the fraternities and sororities to meet the members and decide which, if any, of the chapters best suit their needs.

The recruitment process is one of mutual selection in which fraternity and sorority members invite individuals to be a part of their organizations, and likewise, potential members select the chapters that are best suited for them.

Recruitment at Colgate is alcohol-free: that is, no alcohol is allowed at any formal recruitment activity.

Even if students are unsure about joining an organization, recruitment offers a great opportunity to meet new people.

To participate in recruitment you must register with the corresponding council. Check back in the summer for the registration links!

Eligibility

A student needs to be an active student in their sophomore year to be eligible to join a fraternity or sorority. There is a minimum academic standard to participate in recruitment, set by each governing council. All fraternities and sororities require a minimum 2.5 GPA to be eligible. Additionally, each individual organization is able to set a GPA standard higher than this prescribed minimum.

Additionally each fraternity and sorority has been asked to submit a policy specifying which students may join based on their gender.

Learn more about each chapter’s membership eligibility statement below.

Any male-identifying, undergraduate student at Colgate University, or any undergraduate student of Colgate University who was assigned male at birth, is eligible to be a member of Colgate University's chapter of Beta Theta Pi.

Tri Delta welcomes all who identify as women and strives to create a diverse community for members of different backgrounds.

Any individual of merit who identifies as a man is welcome to seek membership in the fraternity. In any membership decision, including recruitment, pledging, suspension, expulsion, or electing one to membership in the fraternity, a member, associate member, undergraduate chapter, colony, alumni chapter or the board of directors may not discriminate against any male on the basis of his race, color, ethnicity, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship or physical disability.

Any individual who defines themself as a woman or utilizes they/them pronouns.

Kappa Kappa Gamma is a single-gender organization comprised of women and individuals who identify as women whose governing documents do not discriminate in membership selection except by requiring good scholarship and ethical character.

Any male student properly enrolled at Colgate University, regardless of race, religious affiliation, or national origin, will be eligible to join the Fraternity.

Any male student not a member of a national college fraternity other than an honor society or professional fraternity who is pursuing undergraduate study.

Any individual who identifies as a man is eligible for membership in the fraternity, if otherwise determined to be qualified.

Cost of Joining a Fraternity or Sorority

Joining a fraternity or a sorority does have a financial commitment. The chapters are self-supporting through dues paid by their members. When a student joins a fraternity or sorority, they also agree to pay dues and fees while in school to maintain membership. Although chapters may make accommodations for special circumstances, students should discuss the financial obligations with their parents and families before deciding to join. Each chapter has different dues for membership that cover such expenses as chapter and national dues, dues to the governing council, social activities, resources, and other miscellaneous costs. Specific financial information for each organization is made available during recruitment.

New Member Education

Once recruitment has concluded, individuals who have accepted a bid to membership from one of our eight organizations will participate in New Member Education. New members, or individuals in their first semester of membership, will participate in 4 - 5 weeks of activities and educational meetings. These activities are designed to familiarize new members with the organization’s history, values, and principles while fostering a sense of belonging within the organization.

New Members are asked to participate in a variety of programs by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Advising, including New Member Orientation, Alcohol Skills Training Program, and a Hazing Prevention Course. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Advising believes that each new member has the right to participate in an enriching fraternity/sorority experience and has developed the New Member Bill of Rights.

Each new member has the right to partake in an enriching fraternal experience reflective of the values of Colgate University which include:

The right to experience a new member process that is consistent with the institutional mission of Colgate University.
The right to ask questions and receive accurate and objective answers from members.
The right to engage in leadership development opportunities and explore one’s individual leadership potential.
The right to make informed choices without undue pressure from others.
The right to maintain and improve relationships with others beyond one’s affiliation.
The right to build awareness and appreciation for fraternity or sorority history.
The right to engage with alumni in mentoring and/or advisory capacities.
The right to experience a genuine sense of brotherhood/sisterhood
The right to a new member process that encourages mental and physical well-being.
The right to develop and/or enhance healthy social skills.
The right to be fully informed about the membership process, costs, requirements, and time obligations.
The right to a new member process which encourages active participation in meaningful service for the community
The right to have a positive, safe and inspiring new member education process.
The right to new member activities which reflect the value of scholarship
The right to receive assistance in developing and/or pursuing career goals.

This is not an exhaustive list. Any questions regarding violations of new members’ rights or other questionable activities, including hazing, should be reported to OFSA. You can also report alleged occurrences of hazing behaviors to any faculty or staff member at Colgate University.

Reports can be made at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?ColgateUniv&layout_id=7