Fraternities and sororities at Colgate have a rich history of fostering exciting, engaging student experiences and creating lifelong connections through alumni networks.
The fraternity and sorority community at Colgate is composed of eight internationally affiliated organizations. Many students find that joining a fraternity or sorority provides them with a home away from home and a foundation for leadership, academic, athletic, service, and interpersonal opportunities. The decision to join a fraternity or sorority is a lifelong commitment, with connections lasting long after graduation.
Fraternities and sororities at Colgate are supported and advised by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Advising.
Residences
Because Colgate's residential education program requires that all students (except for a small number of seniors approved to live off campus) live in university-owned and -managed facilities, our fraternities and sororities are residential. Each organization occupies a free-standing house on Broad Street.
Fraternities
Fraternities at Colgate include Beta Theta Pi, Delta Upsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Tau, and Theta Chi. The fraternities collaborate through the Interfraternity Council in support of the following:
We, the men of the various national and local fraternity chapters at Colgate University, set forth this constitution and bylaws in order to promote harmonious relationship and coordination among the member chapters; to foster friendly relations between member chapters and the faculty, administration, and trustees of the University; and to represent and promote the interests of the member chapters in the affairs of the University.
We do ordain and establish this constitution as binding in letter and spirit upon our activities and privileges.
Sororities
Sororities at Colgate include Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. The College Panhellenic Council, the governing board for Colgate’s sororities, follows the following beliefs and values (as stated by the National Panhellenic Conference):
We, as Undergraduate Members of women’s fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities.
We, as Fraternity Women, stand for service through the development of character inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.
Goals of Fraternities and Sororities
Colgate’s fraternities and sororities seek to enhance the student experience, mold thoughtful and engaged adults, and provide lifelong connections and have set the following goals:
- Intellectual development: Promoting reflection and making connections between academics and the broader world through dialogue, idea exchange, and interactions with multiple stakeholders.
- Citizenship, leadership, and service: Developing a lifelong commitment to civic engagement by contributing to greater social awareness and positive social change; engaging in direct service at Colgate and in surrounding communities; facilitating opportunities to develop ethical and articulate leaders.
- Diversity, access, and inclusion: Treating all members of the Colgate community fairly, welcoming students of all backgrounds, collaborating with other groups, encouraging expression of various beliefs/backgrounds within group, promoting discovery of new perspectives, and organizing events with broad appeal.
- Personal growth, health, and wellness: Expressing a commitment to members’ well-being and structuring programs to support a healthy lifestyle.
- Accountability: Instilling pride and responsibility for the organization’s actions, upholding a clear mission, providing high expectations and transparency, and promoting opportunities for meaningful reflection.
- Lifelong connections: Encouraging social interaction among members, facilitating continuity and evolution of the organization, honoring and developing constructive traditions, fostering peer learning, and connecting with active alumni mentors and resource