Make the Most of You College Experience
Joining a fraternity or sorority can jumpstart your future by providing a support system of like-minded people who become lifelong friends. They provide networking opportunities through alumni connections, opening doors to job opportunities, career development, leadership positions and volunteer service. Some organizations also offer academic support such as mentoring and coaching.
These groups unite students from different majors, backgrounds and interests, fostering an inclusive, tolerant campus community. They organize social and recreational events including gatherings, road trips and charity events, enriching your college experience.
Fraternity and Sorority Life at UAlbany
UAlbany is home to more than 25 fraternity and sorority chapters. Fraternities and sororities have been a part of our campus for more than a century and play an important role in the lives of thousands of students and alumni. Their educational programs, social activities, service projects and leadership development opportunities contribute to the University community.
Fraternity and sorority aspirants must meet certain criteria before starting the new member education pledging process. They should:
- Be at least a second semester freshman with 12 completed college credits. First semester, first-year students can’t participate in these programs.
- Have at least a 2.5 GPA
- Complete the Fraternity & Sorority Life Eligibility Form on MyInvolvement
- Transfer students must have a 3.0 GPA and attach an electronic copy of their unofficial transcript from their previous institution to the Fraternity & Sorority Life Eligibility Form
Meeting these criteria doesn’t guarantee your acceptance into a group as each has distinct requirements to join.
Some participate in "recruitment," a series of events to introduce you to specific chapters in the FSL community. Others participate in “Membership Intake,” where chapters host most of their events individually.
Most chapters have a 4 to 6-week new member education program where you’ll learn what it means to be a member. Once completed, you’re initiated into membership provided you’re a matriculated student, have completed at least 12 credit hours and have a minimum cumulative 2.5 GPA.
There are several things you should do before joining a fraternity or sorority, including:
- Know what becoming a member entails
- Review all the available organizations
- Attend recruitment events
- Meet others who want to join an organization
- Maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Talk to members about fraternity and sorority life
- Join for yourself, not because anyone tells you to do so
- Ask yourself why you want to join
- Determine your time commitment
- Find out how the dues are used
- Determine whether the organization is social or cultural
- Learn what current members say about joining
- Find out how joining would benefit you and your community
The University at Albany doesn’t recognize the organizations listed below. Students who choose to affiliate with these organizations may be found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
- Alpha Omicron Pi Women's Fraternity (ΑΟΠ or AOPi)
- Alpha Phi Sorority (ΑΦ, Alph, AOA Inc.)
- Alpha Xi Delta Women's Fraternity (AΞΔ or AXiD)
- Kappa Sigma Fraternity (KΣ or Kappa Sig.)
- Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity (ΠKΦ or Pi Kap)
- Sigma Alpha Mu Fraternity (ΣAM, SAM, Sammy)
- Sigma Epsilon Fraternity (ΣE or Sig Ep)
- Sigma Delta Tau Sorority (ΣΔT, SDT, SxS Inc.)
As with any potential violation of the Student Code of Conduct, if you witness something concerning, report it immediately. For issues related to public safety, contact the University Police Department at 518-442-3131.
Chapters are local organizations affiliated with a larger, sometimes national organization. A chapter’s status indicates whether it is recognized by the University at Albany, its parent organization and council.
These organizations have active undergraduate members and are recognized by the Office of Student Activities (OSA):
- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (NPHC)
- Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship (MGC)
- Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc. (LGC)
- Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc. (NAPC)
- Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (NPHC)
- Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity, Inc. (NAPC)
- Nu Alpha Phi Fraternity, Incorporated (NAPC)
- Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc. (NAPC)
- Lambda Theta Phi Fraternity, Inc. (LGC)
- Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc. (LGC)
- Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity (AFSC)
- Theta Delta Chi International Fraternity (AFSC)
These organizations have no undergraduate members:
These organizations have active undergraduate members and are recognized by OSA:
- Kappa Delta Phi National Affiliated Sorority (AFSC)
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (NPHC)
- Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority (AFSC)
- Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. (NAPC)
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. (NPHC)
- Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. (NAPC)
- Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. (LGC)
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi Sorority (AFSC)
- Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc. (NAPC)
- Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (NPHC)
- Delta Delta Sigma Sorority (AFSC)
- Corazones Unidos Siempre/Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Inc. (LGC)
- Hermandad De Sigma Iota Alpha, Incorporada (LGC)
- Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority, Inc. (MGC)
- Señoritas Latinas Unidas/Sigma Lambda Upsilon Sorority, Inc. (LGC)
- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (NPHC)
These organizations have no undergraduate members:
The University at Albany All Greek Council (AGC) is the governing body for University-recognized fraternities and sororities. It hosts events to support unity and improve the University environment. The AGC includes six governing and coordinating councils:
- North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC/IFC)
Representing national fraternities.
Contact: [email protected] - National Panhellenic Conference (NPC/Pan-hel)
Representing national sororities.
Contact: [email protected] - National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Representing historically African American fraternities and sororities affiliated nationally with the NPHC.
Contact: [email protected] - Multicultural Greek and Fraternal Council
Representing culture-based fraternities, sororities and social fellowships.
Contact: [email protected] - Latino Greek Council (LGC)
Representing historically Latino fraternities and sororities.
Contact: [email protected] - National Asian Panhellenic Council (NAPC/NAPA)
Representing Asian interest fraternities and sororities.
Contact: [email protected]
- Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA)
- Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV)
- Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA)
- National Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)
- North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC)
- National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
- National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
- National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO)
- National APIDA Panhellenic Association (NAPA)
Fraternity and Sorority Life Policies
OSA requires fraternities, sororities and their members to adhere to University policies. Additional related policies are listed below. Links to these policies will be added when available.
- Fraternity and Sorority Expansion Guidelines
- Fraternity and Sorority Intake Guidelines
- Five Star Accreditation
The five-star accreditation program helps Greek organizations recognize their areas of excellence and opportunities for improvement.