Being in a sorority or fraternity will allow you the opportunity to make life-long friends, get involved on campus, and develop leadership skills.
Why join a fraternity or sorority?
Scholarship
Sororities and fraternities serve as a great resource for students academically through study hours, tutors, and education-based workshops. To participate in fraternity or sorority recruitment and remain an active member, you must maintain a minimum 2.50 GPA.
Service
Each fraternity and sorority organization at Oneonta actively supports a philanthropy and participates in several community service projects throughout the year, allowing members the opportunity to help others who may be less fortunate than them. Working together on these projects benefits everyone involved and is one of the most rewarding aspects of being a fraternity or sorority member.
Leadership
True leadership comes from experience. As a member of Fraternity and Sorority Life, you’ll find tremendous opportunities that will give you the experience to become an effective leader. Fraternities and sororities are self-governing, giving members numerous leadership possibilities. Fraternity and Sorority Life offers leadership training programs campus wide and through individual chapters.
Brotherhood / Sisterhood
The brotherhood of fraternities and sisterhood of sororities is truly a “family” experience. It offers you the security and happiness that is part of the brother/sister bond. While you do not have to limit your social life to fraternity and sorority activities, you will find many ways to interact with your chapter, other fraternities and sororities and other campus organizations.
Recognized Sororities
- Alpha Kappa Phi
- Kappa Beta Gamma
- Omega Phi Beta
- Mu Sigma Upsilon
- Phi Sigma Sigma
- Pi Delta Chi
- Sigma Delta Tau
- Sigma Gamma Phi
- Sigma Omega Epsilon
- Sigma Sigma Sigma
- Alpha Kappa Phi-Alpha Kappa Phi (AKPhi or Ago) sorority, is a local sorority at SUNY Oneonta. Their Greek inscription is "Novoveav Ayelv" which means "friends forever." Their symbol is the anchor which symbolizes the security you will find in the strength of Ago. They take pride in the unity of their organization and the endless love and support each sister shares with one another.
- Kappa Beta Gamma-Kappa Beta Gamma (KBG) sorority is a national non-Panhellenic sorority that was founded at Marquette University in 1917. KBG was installed at SUNY Oneonta in 2019. The open motto of the organization is Character, Culture, Courage. The colors of the sorority are deep sapphire, pearl white and old gold.
- Mu Sigma Upsilon-Mu Sigma Upsilon (MSU) sorority Inc. was founded at Rutgers University in 1981 and is recognized as the first multicultural sorority in the nation.
- Pi Delta Chi-Pi Delta Chi sorority was founded at SUNY Oneonta in 1960. The sorority was founded on the basis of unity and eternal friendship. As a organization the sisters uphold the standards of honor, scholarship, integrity, loyalty, tolerance, cooperation, personal improvement, school spirit and charity.
- Sigma Delta Tau-Sigma Delta Tau (SDT) sorority is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference. SDT was founded at Cornell University in 1917 by Jewish women. However, there is no religious requirement for membership to the sorority, and it prides itself on being inclusive of all, as well as being historically Jewish. SDT has over 70,000 initiates from 105 chapters around the United States.
- Sigma Sigma Sigma-Sigma Sigma Sigma (Tri Sigma) sorority is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference. Tri Sigma was founded at Longwood University in 1898. Tri Sigma has over 100 chapters across the United States.
- Sigma Gamma Phi- Sigma Gamma Phi (SGPhi or Arethusa) sorority is a local sorority and is the oldest recognized sorority at SUNY Oneonta. The Delta Chapter of Sigma Gamma Phi was installed on October 20, 1894. They were originally founded as a Literary Society for women and adopted Greek letters later. Sigma Gamma Phi was the Sorority of the Year for the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Omega Phi Beta-Omega Phi Beta (OPB) sorority Inc. was founded at SUNY Albany on March 15, 1989 by seventeen women of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds. OPB is a member of NALFO (National Association of Latino Fraternal organizations) and was the 2022-2023 MGC organization of the year.
- Phi Sigma Sigma-Phi Sigma Sigma (Phi Sig) sorority is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference. Phi Sig was the first collegiate nonsectarian sorority to allow membership of women of all faiths and backgrounds. The sorority was founded on November 26, 1913 and has 115 collegiate chapters. Phi Sigma Sigma was founded to establish the twin ideals of promoting the brotherhood of man and alleviation of the world's pain.
- Sigma Omega Epsilon-Sigma Omega Epsilon (SOE) sorority Inc. was founded at The College of Staten Island on October 3, 1994. The sorority was established to form "Unity, Diversity and Sisterhood" for women across college campuses. SOE has been recognized since May 2022. Sisters are brought together by love and bonded by sisterhood.
Recognized Fraternities
- Alpha Epsilon Pi
- Alpha Phi Delta
- Beta Chi
- Chi Phi
- Delta Omega Epsilon
- Iota Tau Kappa
- Kappa Sigma (Suspended)
- Phi Kappa Psi (Suspended until 12/31/2026)
- Phi Beta Sigma
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon
- Tau Kappa Epsilon
- Zeta Beta Tau
- Alpha Phi Delta-Alpha Phi Delta (APD) fraternity evolved from an exclusive Italian society, initially known as Circolo Italiano (The Italian Circle) it was established at Syracuse University in 1914.
- Alpha Epsilon Pi-Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity was founded at New York University in 1913. The fraternity has more than 150 active chapters across the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Israel. The fraternity has initiated more than 110,000 members. The fraternity is based upon Jewish principles, it is non-discriminatory and is open to all who are willing to espouse its purpose and values regardless of their faith tradition.
- Beta Chi-Beta Chi fraternity is a local fraternity that was founded at SUNY Oneonta in 1989. The fraternity was founded by a group of SUNY Oneonta men who came together to form a fraternity based on the founding principles of pride, loyalty, respect, diversity and individuality.
- Chi Phi-Chi Phi fraternity is considered by some as the oldest American men's college social fraternity that was established as the result of the merger of three separate organizations that were each known as Chi Phi. The earliest of these organizations was formed at Princeton University in 1824. Today, Chi Phi has over 47,000 living alumni members from over 100 chapters. Currently Chi Phi has 48 active chapters across the United States.
- Delta Omega Epsilon-Delta Omega Epsilon (DOE) fraternity was founded on April 15, 1985 at The College of Staten Island. DOE was established to form a community of brotherhood to influence University and post University life for the members of the organization.
- Iota Tau Kappa-Iota Tau Kappa (ITK) fraternity is the oldest fraternity at Oneonta. It was founded in 1967 and the chapter recently obtained campus recognition. As a fraternity they value scholarship, athleticism, chivalry and equality.
- Kappa Sigma-Kappa Sigma (Kappa Sig) Fraternity (Suspended), is an American social fraternity founded at the University of Virginia in 1869. Kappa Sigma currently has 318 active chapters across North American. The SUNY Oneonta chapter of Kappa Sigma was Fraternity of the Year during the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon-Lambda Sigma Upsilon (LSU) Fraternity Inc., is a Latino fraternity founded on April 5, 1979 at Rutgers University, LSU has 81 chapters nationally and 6 alumni chapters.
- Phi Beta Sigma-Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. is a historically black fraternity that was founded in 1914 at Howard University in Washington DC.
- Phi Kappa Psi-Phi Kappa Psi (Phi Psi) Fraternity (Suspended until 12/31/2026) was founded at Jefferson College on February 19, 1852. There are 90 chapters and colonies across the United States. Phi Psi is the only Fraternity and Sorority Life organization that has a house. Their house in located at 56 Maple St.
- Tau Kappa Epsilon-Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) was founded on January 10, 1899 at Illinois Wesleyan University. The organization has chapters throughout the United States and Canada. Since its founding in 1899 TKE has never had an exclusionary or discriminatory clause to prevent individuals from joining and has instead admitted members based on their personal worth and character.
- Zeta Beta Tau-Zeta Beta Tau (ZBT) fraternity was founded on December 29, 1898. Originally a Zionist youth society, its purpose changed from the Zionism of the fraternity's early years when in 1954 the fraternity became nonsectarian and opened to non-Jewish members, changing its membership policy to include "All Men of Good Character" regardless of religious or ethnic background, while still being recognized as the first Jewish Fraternity.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no fraternity or sorority type. Most of the stereotypes about fraternity or sorority membership are myths. One of the strengths of Oneonta’s Fraternity and Sorority Life Community is the diversity of the individuals who are members. Each organization consists of members who have varied interests, backgrounds, and ethnicities.
Fraternities and sororities offer study halls, tutoring programs, grade point requirements, and other programs to help meet the academic needs of their members.
Oneonta has a zero-tolerance policy regarding hazing this is consistent with New York State law. Hazing includes any activity that subjects members to harassment, ridicule, intimidation, physical exhaustion, abuse, or mental distress. Hazing is contrary to the purpose of the Fraternity and Sorority Life community and SUNY Oneonta.
Bids are extended at the end of the recruitment period to those who have expressed an interest in a group and who meet that group’s criteria. Do not feel obligated to accept a bid unless you are sure that you are making the best decision.
To join a fraternity or sorority organization at Oneonta you must be a full time student at SUNY Oneonta. You must have at least 12 credit hours at an institute of higher learning and a minimum GPA of 2.50. First semester Freshman are not allowed to join a fraternity or sorority organization, but may come to recruitment events to learn more about fraternities and sororities.
- Sorority National Average: $600
- Sorority Local Average: $500
- Fraternity: $600
Our Fraternity and Sorority Life community here at Oneonta consists of approximately 950 members from all different nationalities, races, and religions. It takes a collaborative effort from students as well as faculty to make our Fraternity and Sorority Life system work and strive.
Many people work long and hard to make Oneonta Fraternity and Sorority Life the best that it can be.
If you decide to join a fraternity or sorority, we encourage you to get involved right away. You can start by becoming a chapter delegate on the Inter-Greek Council, or by simply taking a role as chair in your own organization. The more you put into Fraternity and Sorority Life, the more you will get out of it.
Order of Omega is a National Greek Honor Society which recognizes fraternity and sorority members who have attained a high standard of leadership in Inter-Greek activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment.
Order of Omega emphasizes the importance of community service and Inter-Greek communication over academic and nominal honors. At the present, the Order maintains approximately three hundred chapters at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.
Additional Information
- Hazing and Social Greek Letter Organizations
- Information for Families
- Code of Rights and Responsibilities for Social Greek Letter Organizations
Situations involving hazing may be reported via our confidential online Hazing Hotline form.
Contact
220D Hunt Union
108 Ravine Parkway
Oneonta, NY 13820
United States