Prospective Students and Parents

August 22, 2011

Dear student:

Taking part in co-curricular activities can enhance your overall college experience and the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership encourages you to consider exploring the opportunities available to you to become actively involved in campus life.  Since one of the choices available to you is joining a fraternity or sorority, I'd like to take this opportunity to provide you with some specific information about the fraternity and sorority community at UAlbany.

For some people, Greek life on a college campus conjures up images like those seen in the movies or on TV.  However, the reality is that the majority of Albany's fraternity and sorority members are serious about their studies, engage in meaningful community service activities, enjoy a supportive peer network, and develop strong leadership skills.  At present the University recognizes 27 social/cultural fraternity and sorority chapters and one social fellowship that have a combined membership that, as of August 2011, is roughly 3% of the undergraduate student body.

The University at Albany has in place policies and procedures that specifically pertain to eligibility for membership in a Greek organization including the following:

• Freshmen are not allowed to pledge or join a fraternity or sorority until their second semester at the University. 
• Prospective members must be matriculated students who have completed at least 12 credit hours here at the University and hold a minimum cumulative 2.50 grade point average.

A list of fraternity and sorority chapters currently recognized by the University may be found at http://www.albany.edu/involvement/greek.shtml. It is also important for you to note that any chapter that has not met the standards for continued University recognition and/or has failed to meet the requirements established by their national headquarters, is no longer recognized by the University. These chapters are also listed on the web site and have been notified by the University and/or their national office to cease all activities and operations including recruitment, new member education programs, and the sponsorship or co-sponsorship of campus events and programs.

We are aware that in the past individual students have portrayed themselves to other students as recognized Greek organizations. As a result, we caution you to make sure that any group you may affiliate with is currently recognized and in good standing. In addition, it is important to note that it is a violation of the University’s Community Rights & Responsibilitiesfor students to affiliate with organizations that have had their recognition suspended or permanently revoked by the University. If you choose to affiliate with one of these groups your student status could be placed at risk.

If you have any further questions or wish additional information about Greek Life at the University at Albany or a specific organization, please contact Christina Crosley, Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at (518) 442-5566 or via e-mail at ccrosley@uamail.albany.edu. We look forward to assisting you in having a successful experience at the University at Albany.

Sincerely,

Michael Jaromin
Director of Student Involvement & Leadership

August 22, 2011

Dear Parent:

Taking part in co-curricular activities can enhance a student's overall college experience. Therefore, the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership encourages students to consider exploring the opportunities available to them to become actively involved in campus life.  Since one of the choices available to your son or daughter is joining a fraternity or sorority, I'd like to take this opportunity to provide you with some specific information about the Fraternity and Sorority community at the University at Albany.

For many parents, Greek life on a college campus conjures up images like those in the movie "Animal House" or “Old School”.  However, the reality is that the majority of Albany's fraternity and sorority members are serious about their studies, engage in meaningful community service activities, enjoy a supportive peer network and develop strong leadership skills.  At present the University recognizes 27 social/cultural fraternity and sorority chapters and one social fellowship that have a combined membership that, as of August 2011, is roughly 3% of the undergraduate student body.

The University at Albany has in place policies and procedures that specifically pertain to Greek Life.  One is that freshmen are not allowed to pledge or join a fraternity or sorority until their second semester at the University.  The intent of this policy is to help first year students to focus on the transition to the academic challenges of University life before joining an organization requiring a substantial commitment of time and energy.  Another policy I wish to bring to your attention requires that all fraternity and sorority intake programs and member education activities conclude no later than three weeks before the last day of classes. 

A list of fraternity and sorority chapters currently recognized by the University may be found at http://www.albany.edu/involvement/greek.shtml (or see below). Any chapter that does not meet the standards for continued University recognition and/or has failed to meet the requirements established by their national headquarters, is no longer recognized by the University. These chapters are also listed on the web site and have been notified by the University and/or their national office to cease all activities and operations including recruitment, new member education programs and the sponsorship or co-sponsorship of campus events and programs.  In addition, it is important to note that it is a violation of the University’s student code of conductfor students to affiliate with organizations that have had their recognition suspended or permanently revoked by the University.

If you or your son or daughter has any questions or wish additional information about fraternity or sorority life at the University at Albany, please contact Christina Crosley, Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs at (518) 442-5566 or via e-mail at ccrosley@uamail.albany.edu.  We look forward to assisting your son or daughter in having a successful experience at the University at Albany.

Sincerely,

Michael Jaromin
Director of Student Involvement & Leadership

 

 

Recognized Organizations

Fraternities and Social Fellowships
Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Epsilon Pi Fraternity
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Groove Phi Groove Social Fellowship, Inc.
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Kappa Sigma Fraternity
La Unidad Latina/Lambda Upsilon Lambda Fraternity, Inc.
Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc.
Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.
MALIK Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Pi Delta Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Sigma Beta Rho Fraternity, Inc.
Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Inc.
Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity, Inc.

Sororities
Alpha Epsilon Phi Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Omicron Pi Women’s Fraternity
Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity
Corazones Unidos Siempre/Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority Inc.
Delta Delta Sigma Sorority
Delta Phi Epsilon International Sorority
Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
Gamma Rho Lambda National Sorority
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc.
Kappa Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.
Latinas Promoviendo Comunidad/Lambda Pi Chi Sorority Inc.
Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Delta Tau National Sorority
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Iota Sigma Multicultural Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

EXPANSION/Reactivation ORGANIZATIONS
(Groups that are in the process of receiving recognition)
Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.
Psi Sigma Phi Fraternity, Inc.

 

Greek Terminology

Bid- An invitation to join an IFC fraternity, Panhellenic sorority, or Asian interest organization.

Big- Nickname for big sister or brother.

Call – A yell used mostly by NPHC & DGC organizations . Used to identify and greet brothers and sisters.

Charter- Permission from the national organization to have a chapter.

Colony- A new organization that is awaiting official recognition from their national to have a chapter at a campus.

Crossed: the same as being initiated. The term means different things to different groups, but generally means crossing over from being a pledge to being a full member. Most groups record this time to the second. Term also refers to “Crossing the Burning Sands”

Depledge- The process where a new member elects, or is asked, to relinquish membership during their pledge period.

Founders Day- An event celebrated by fraternities and sororities to highlight the founding of their organization and celebrate its history.

Frat – A nickname for fraternity or a fraternity brother.  IFC members generally find this to be offensive; however NPHC fraternities use it as a mark of respect for each other.

Greek Week- An organized week of activities to unite all councils.

Handshake or Grip- Is a special handshake unique to each organization. Only initiated members will know the handshake.

Inactive Member- A member who has elected to become inactive in sorority or fraternity life.

Independent or “GDI”- Term for a student that isn't a member of a Greek organization.

Little/Lil- Nickname for a Big's new member that they mentor.

Line – An NPHC & DGC term somewhat equal to a pledge class. They are the potential new members of the organization. Lines are often given names.

Mixer/Exchange/Social- A party between a sorority and fraternity, or several fraternities and sororities, often involving themes or games.

NALFO - National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations is an umbrella council for Latino Greek Letter Organizations.

NMGC – National Multicultural Greek Council is an umbrella council for a coalition of Multicultural Greek-letter organizations established in 1998.

Neophyte “Neo”- New member of a DGC or NPHC organization.

NIC- Stands for North American Interfraternity Conference, and is the national coordinating body of all the men's fraternities.

NPC- The National Panhellenic Council is the organization that governs the 26 national women's sororities.

NPHC- The National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body of the 9 traditionally African American fraternities and sororities, also known as the Divine Nine.

Number – 1) Your line number, either given based off the number of individuals in your chapter, or the number of line brothers or sisters. 2) A bond between members of different lines or orgs with the same number (ie. Ace, deuce, etc.)

On the Yard– an NPHC phrase meaning that a chapter is currently chartered on campus.

Probate Show: The introduction of a line to campus. This is usually the first full step show/exhibition performed by members of the new member class of a NPHC or cultural-based Greek organization.

Prophyte – An older member of a DGC or NPHC organization.

Ritual – A secret ceremony of a Greek organization. Ritual elements are sacred to each sorority and fraternity and have been handed down through the generations. Only initiate members may be privy to rituals.

Recruitment- The process where sororities and fraternities get new members. Potential new members visit each organization and are invited to events . This process helps members of each organization choose new members. The old term is rush, which is still used by the fraternities. The formal name is Formal Recruitment.

Sands - An NPHC & DGC orgs term for members of your new member class. Comes from the phrase "cross the burning sands" which means to cross over (Become initiated) into full membership.

Signs – a unique display expressed by hand symbols used by NPHC and DGC organizations.

Social Fellowship - A non-Greek fraternal organization.

Soror - Term used by NPHC sorority members towards one another.

Stepping: A historically black tradition characterized by synchronized hand foot movements, along with singing, dancing, chanting, and acting.  Many Latino/Latina and Multicultural groups participate in stepping as well.

Stroll (aka Party Walk, Party Hop): A line dance done by members of cultural Greek organizations; usually done at a party or step show.

Surfacing: The first public appearance of a line.  More widely used post-1990 by Latino organizations that maintain an aboveground pledge program.

Syands – Asian Interest Orgs term for members of your new member class. Means Same Year AND Semester.

TeeKee: the large necklace worn with large Greek letters on them. Similar to a lavaliere but much larger and often made out of wood.

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