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The Greek community at the University of New Orleans is comprised of a diverse group of fraternities and sororities. Our sixteen organizations offer those who are interested in Greek membership the chance to find a group that matches their values and personalities.

Regardless of the fraternity or sorority you choose, membership in a Greek organization will enhance your collegiate experience. It is also likely to have a positive impact upon your life after college. A study by the Center for Advanced Social Research found that fraternity men and sorority women:
· Have better grades than other students (that's true at UNO!)
· Are more likely to finish college than other students
· Tend to be more successful financially than other college graduates
· Are more active in community activities after graduation

Greek Life at UNO Can Be Summed up in Four Words:

Friendship
Going to college with 14,000 other students can be overwhelming at times. But joining a fraternity or sorority allows students to become a part of a smaller supportive network of friends. Greek organizations provide social activities including mixers, formals, step shows and other special events, but they also offer a family atmosphere and friendships that last a lifetime.

Service
Community service is an essential aspect of Greek life. Each fraternity and sorority was founded upon philanthropic ideals and therefore offers numerous opportunities for members to serve the community. Among other things, fraternity and sorority members tutor in local schools, organize blood drives, and raise money for the American Heart Association.

Scholarship
Each fraternity and sorority emphasizes the importance of academics. Through high standards for membership to scholarships to tutoring programs, Greek organizations challenge their members to reach their full academic potential. Fraternity men and sorority women usually maintain a higher grade point average than non-affiliated students at UNO.

Leadership
Fraternities and sororities provide a solid foundation in leadership training that prepares them for the demands and responsibilities they will face after college. Officers within each chapter manage the day-to-day operations of the chapter. In addition, most organizations have regional and national leadership conferences where students can learn a variety of leadership skills.

Sororities at UNO

There are eight sororities at the University of New Orleans, each affiliated with a national organization. Four of the sororities -- Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. -- are historically black and are affiliated with the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). Four predominantly white sororities are aligned with the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) -- Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Zeta, Sigma Kappa, and Zeta Tau Alpha. To learn more about these sororities, go to the pull-down menu at the top of this page and select a chapter that interests you.

Fraternities at UNO

Each of the eight fraternities at the University of New Orleans is connected to a national organization. Four predominantly white fraternities are affiliated with the North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) -- Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Kappa Theta, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Theta Xi. Four of the fraternities are historically black and are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) -- Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.; Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.; and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. To learn more about these groups, go to the pull-down menu at the top of this page and select a chapter that interests you.

How to Join

Our fraternities and sororities use different methods to recruit new members. Much more information about joining the organizations is available on the pages for each of the governing councils described below.
Specific information about joining during Fall 2007 is available here.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the governing body for the fraternities that are part of North American Interfraternity Conference. IFC holds membership recruitment periods at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters.

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is the governing body of the university's 6 historically African American fraternities and sororities. NPHC organizations periodically hold informational meetings for prospective members during the school year. Students must have obtained at least 12 semester hours to be eligible for membership in an NPHC organization.

The Panhellenic Association governs the sororities that are part of the National Panhellenic Conference. Panhellenic sponsors a Formal Membership Recruitment period each fall, and each chapter may choose to host informal recruitment events during other times of the year.

Fraternity and sorority members participate in Privateer Preview, the New Student Orientation program each semester. Some Greeks are Orientation Leaders, and others volunteer to help out during the orientation sessions. Those incoming students who attend Freshman Orientation have the opportunity to meet fraternity and sorority members during the orientation organizational fair.

Dispelling the Myths:
Facts about Greek Life at UNO

We're Smart! On average, the all-sorority and fraternity GPA consistently matches and often well exceeds the all-women's, men's and campus averages.

We're Diverse! Fraternities and sororities represent the rich diversity of most campus populations.

We're Responsible! Members who make commitments to themselves and their chapters prove to be among the university's most well respected students and most loyal alumni.

We Help Others! Fraternity and sorority members participate in countless hours of community service and contribute annually to charitable organizations.

We're Leaders! Greek men and women are involved in an array of campus activities, are often the most visible campus leaders, and are the most enthusiastic supporters of University events like Greek-wide events, intercollegiate and intramural sports.

We Don't Haze! Hazing is prohibited; it's against the law, and it is enforced... plain and simple! Educational seminars and presentations are given to members in meetings and forums that outline the definition and consequences of this illegal activity.

We're Affordable! Greek Life is an investment in your future. Chapters help members to plan, budget and afford to participate in Greek Life.

We're Not Rich! Greek members are in the same financial situation as the average UNO student. Men and women in sororities and fraternities maintain jobs and internships, receive financial aid, and obtain in-chapter scholarships to afford their college education.

We Network! Fraternity men and sorority women are afforded networking opportunities through Greek alumni for job assistance and advice, internship exposure and experience, and general direction when entering the work force.

We Have Fun! Sorority and fraternity members maintain a balance between the classroom and personal time. Events such as exchanges, date parties, retreats, formals, and parent weekends are just a few of the activities offered.

Information for Parents & Family Members

Will my student's academics be compromised if they join a Greek chapter?
Students often find managing their time difficult when moving from the highly structured high school environment to the freedom of college. Greek membership assists in that transition by offering scholarship programs that may include study partners, mandatory study hours, and time management workshops. Your student can also access the network of chapter members who already know how to use campus resources like the library, study skills center, computer labs and academic advisors.

What is a Philanthropy or Service Project?
Greek members accept as part of their mission to support philanthropies (not-for-profit causes). Throughout the year, each the chapter spends time fundraising and volunteering to help their particular philanthropy. The time spent together on philanthropic and service events is one of the many times that fraternity and sorority members have the opportunity to bond while making a difference!

How much time does a chapter take up?
The time commitment varies from chapter to chapter but the first semester is most time intensive as the new member goes through the chapter's new member program. The time spent in this program will give your student the opportunity to develop their leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of the organization, develop friendships with their new member class, as well as the rest of the chapter, and allow them to become involved with other organizations. After the initiation into the chapter, expectations will vary. Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other mandatory events (philanthropic, service, initiation) throughout the year, but they are planned well in advance. The more your student puts in to the chapter, the more they will get out of being a member!

What does it cost to be a member?
The Greek Experience is an investment in your student's future. The leadership skills, academic assistance, and friendships will benefit your student beyond their college days. The perception that fraternities and sororities are only an option for "rich" students is false. Greek organizations are quite affordable and fees go to services that will positively impact your student. Many students work to supplement funding for their dues. Dues, which range from $25 - $75 per month, directly support the betterment of the chapter and the national organization. To assist members, many chapters offer scholarships and grants. We encourage your student to ask questions related to finances during the recruitment process. We also encourage you to be "hands-on" in this decision if you have any questions about the obligations regarding finances.

Are fraternities/sororities primarily social in nature?
There is a social aspect to the Greek community but these "social" events include education programs/workshops, community service events, intramural sports, Parent's Days, Homecoming, and dinner exchanges in addition to parties and socials. Today's Greek communities across the nation have adopted a stringent approach to socializing, thereby creating a safer, more beneficial environment for members.

Is there an alcohol policy?
Each fraternity and sorority has an inter/national alcohol policy, which requires members to follow all federal, state, and local laws governing alcohol consumption and to participate in which yearly educational programs about alcohol use and abuse.

What about hazing?
Louisiana law, the UNO Student Policy Manual, and each of the national fraternities and sororities prohibit all forms of hazing. The Greek Advisor works with the Association Dean for Judicial and Student Assistance to investigate all incidents of suspected hazing.

What is my role as a parent? Take the time to find out more about the Greek community at UNO. Ask questions about what the organizations will offer your student and allow them to make the best decision for themselves. Once your student chooses to join a chapter, there will be opportunities for Mom's and Dad's weekend activities or joining the chapter's Parents Club.