Fraternity and Sorority Information for Families

Sororities and fraternities are rooted in founding principles that foster academic achievement, student involvement, community service, and lifelong friendships. Fraternity and sorority organizations are groups of men and women who come together to form a personal network of individuals with similar ideas, interests, and mutual pursuit of a well rounded college education. According to campus policies, each member of all organizations has certain expectations to fulfill which are as follows:

• One academic workshop per semester
• One on campus community Service project
• One off-campus community service project
• Four leadership workshops
• Two leadership retreats

• Sorority Dues: National Average: $600
• Sorority Local Average: $400 (Alpha Kappa Phi, Pi Delta Chi, Sigma Gamma Phi)
• Fraternity: $600

Sororities and fraternities serve as a great resource of students academically through study hours, tutors, and academically based workshops. There is a minimum 2.50 GPA required to participate in Fraternity and Sorority Life recruitment and remain an active member.

Individual chapters elect officers to manage the day to day operation of the organization. These officers are assisted by advisors who are members of the Oneonta staff and/or faculty. Angie Eichler serves as the campus Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisor.

Oneonta has a zero-tolerance hazing policy, consistent with New York State law. Hazing includes any activity that subjects members to harassment, ridicule, intimidation, physical exhaustion, abuse, or mental distress. Hazing has no place in SUNY Oneonta’s recognized Fraternity and Sorority Life community. If you suspect that your student may be being hazed as a result of fraternity or sorority membership, you should contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life immediately, and disciplinary action against a fraternity or sorority organization for violating the Code of Rights and Responsibilities for Fraternity and Sorority Organizations will be taken.

Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life: (607) 436-3591
Confidential Hazing Hotline Form

The social aspect of Fraternity and Sorority Life is one of the reasons many students get involved in fraternities and sororities; however alcohol and substance abuse is not tolerated. Most organizations have mandatory educational sessions on the dangers of substance abuse. SUNY Oneonta is committed to values which are contrary to inappropriate and dangerous behavior. The fraternity and sorority community has and will continue to be a supportive environment for its members to challenge and support students in making good choices, particularly when it comes to the social aspects of collegiate life.

Students are eligible to join when:

• They are a full time student with 12 credit hours completed
• They reach the minimum GPA requirement of 2.50
• First semester freshman may not join a fraternity or sorority, but may attend recruitment events

• Lifelong friendships
• Networking for jobs and internships
• Valuable leadership experience
• Community service experience

• Encourage your son/daughter to attend as many campus events as possible. The best way to meet fraternity and sorority members is by becoming involved.
• Be supportive and learn as much as you can about Fraternity and Sorority Life by asking questions of your student as he/she begins the recruitment process.
• Keep in mind that there are financial obligations and determine who will be responsible for them.
• Don’t pressure your son/daughter into joining a particular fraternity or sorority, let them make their own decision.

1. Choose a recognized organization if you are interested in being a part of a fraternity or sorority
2. Go to all on-campus recognized Fraternity and Sorority Life recruitment events before you make your decision.
3. Have a meeting with recognized Fraternity and Sorority Life Advisor (Angie Eichler) and/or the IGC recruitment chairs before you make your decision.
4. Get to know other students who want to join Fraternity and Sorority Life.
5. Do not join if you are taking a lot of courses, or hard courses.
6. Have a 2.5 or better before you join a fraternity or sorority.
7. Make a pros and cons list and give it to me before you join.
8. Talk to some of your professors about how they feel about Fraternity and Sorority life.
9. Think carefully about the value of recognized vs. unrecognized organizations.
10. Do it for yourself; not because anyone is telling you to do it.

1. What are their letters?
2. Are they recognized?
3. Do you know what becoming a member entails?
4. What made you want to join this specific organization?
5. Have you checked out all organizations?
6. What are you going to get out of joining this organization?
7. Where does the dues money go?
8. What is the difference between recognized organizations and unrecognized organizations?
9. What do the brothers/sisters tell you about pledging/being a member? Does it match up with the information on this page?
10. Do you believe this is going to be a valuable experience; to yourself and to the community?

Being part of a fraternity or sorority can be one of the most rewarding experiences a student can have while at college.

Unfortunately, there are some groups that are not affiliated with SUNY Oneonta that still try to recruit students We strongly discourage students from attending events or affiliating with any group that is not officially recognized by SUNY Oneonta.

If you concerned that your child is thinking about or is already in the process of joining an unrecognized organization, please contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at (607) 436-3591.

For more information on this topic, check out the Hazing and Fraternity and Sorority Organizations page.

If your student is involved in rushing or pledging during their first freshman semester, it means they are involved with an unrecognized group or with a recognized group that is breaking the rules. Talk about it with your student and find out as much as you can about their understanding of the situation.

• If they’re pledging an unrecognized group, let them know if that is acceptable or unacceptable to you.
• If they’re pledging a recognized group, remind them that an important rule is being broken. Determine whether it is acceptable to you or your student that they’re involved with a group that disregards rules.
• Contact Ms. Eichler to inform her about rule infractions by recognized groups.

Hazing is a risk with any group, recognized or unrecognized. We are very concerned about hazing and ask that you read the information on the Hazing and Social Greek Letter Organizations page. It is the symptoms of hazing that are often the first signs to parents that their student is pledging.

If your student’s interim grades or semester grades are lower than you expect, they may not have found a good balance between academic and non-academic activities or they may be struggling with adjustment issues.

• Let your student know about your expectations regarding their grades.
• Remind them of the many resources that are available on campus to support their academic and personal adjustment. The staff in the residence halls are an excellent resource for that information.

Any groups outside of those listed on this website are unrecognized and have no relationship with SUNY Oneonta.​​​​​