Cultural interest fraternities and sororities, in the North American student fraternity and sorority system, refer to general, social organizations oriented to students having a special interest in a culture or cultural identity.
Although racial and religious restrictions have long since been abolished in all North American Interfraternity Conference and National Panhellenic Conference organizations, their memberships nationally remain predominantly Caucasian, and National Pan-Hellenic Council memberships largely African American. The new generation of cultural interest organizations has arisen to serve the interests of communities whose numbers in the traditional Greek system are historically small and dispersed.
Following is a list of national cultural interest fraternities and sororities.
Organization name | Symbols | Nickname | Chartered | Founding location | Type | Affiliation | Active chapters | Status | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha Epsilon Omega | ΑΕΩ | AEO | December 20, 2000 | California State University, Northridge | Fraternity | 9 | Active | [1] [2] | |
Alpha Gamma Alpha | ΑΓΑ | AGA | October 25, 2002 | University of California, Los Angeles | Sorority | 1 | Active | [3] [4] |
Asian American interest in Greek-lettered organizations began in the early 20th century. After World War II, there was a surge in participation to join these organizations, as college campuses were seeing a rise in multiculturalism. [5] Rho Psi was the first Asian American interest Greek-lettered organization and was created on the campus of Cornell University in 1916. Since then, there has been growth in these Asian American interest Greek lettered organizations across North America. There are over sixty Asian American interest Greek-lettered organizations, many of which are overseen by the National APIDA Panhellenic Association.
Active organizations are in bold, and inactive organizations are in italics.
Organization name | Symbols | Nickname | Chartered | Founding location | Type | Affiliation | Active chapters | Status | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha Delta Kappa | ΑΔΚ | ADKs | 1977 | University of Southern California | Sorority | 1 | Active | [6] | |
alpha Kappa Delta Phi | αΚΔΦ | KDPhi, aKDPhi | February 7, 1990 | University of California, Berkeley | Sorority | NAPA | 59 | Active | [7] |
Alpha Kappa Omega | ΑΚΩ | ΑΚΩ | October 16, 1996 | California State University, East Bay | Fraternity | 3 | Active | [8] | |
Alpha Kappa Omicron [9] | ΑΚO | AKO, Omicrons | December 3, 1997 | San Francisco State University | Sorority | 3 | Active | [9] | |
Alpha Phi Gamma | ΑΦΓ | APhiG | February 1, 1994 | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Sorority | NAPA | 18 | Active | [7] |
Alpha Psi Rho | ΑΨΡ | APsiRho, Rho Doggs | March 1, 2000 | San Diego State University | Fraternity | 4 | Active | ||
Alpha Sigma Lambda (local) | ΑΣΛ | Alpha Sigs | October 15, 1993 – 2011 | California State Polytechnic University, Pomona | Fraternity | 1 | Active | [10] | |
Alpha Sigma Rho | ΑΣΡ | Alphas, ASR, Alpha Sigs, Lovely Ladies in Red | April 2, 1998 | University of Georgia | Sorority | NAPA | 10 | Active | [7] |
Beta Pi Phi | ΒΠΦ | Betas | December 5, 2005 – 2018 | Temple University | Fraternity | 0 | Inactive | [11] | |
Beta Tau Omega | ΒΤΩ | BTO | August 28, 1995 | Texas A&M University | Fraternity | 1 | Active | [12] [13] | |
Beta Upsilon Delta | ΒΥΔ | Buds | August 21, 1998 | University of California, Riverside | Fraternity | 2 | Active | [14] [15] | |
Chi Alpha Delta | ΧΑΔ | Chis | 1928 | University of California, Los Angeles | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Chi Delta Sigma | ΧΔΣ | Chi D Sig, Cranes | February 8, 2007 | Washington State University | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Chi Delta Theta | ΧΔΘ | Chi Delts | October 13, 1989 | University of California, Santa Barbara | Sorority | 7 | Active | ||
Chi Rho Omicron | ΧΡΟ | XPOs | February 16, 1995 | California State University, Fresno | Fraternity | 10 | Active | ||
Chi Sigma Alpha | ΧΣΑ | Chi Sigs | September 2, 2002 | University of Washington, Seattle | Sorority | 2 | Active | ||
Chi Sigma Tau | ΧΣΤ | Chi Sigs, CST | September 9, 1999 | University of Illinois at Chicago | Fraternity | NAPA | 9 | Active | [7] |
Delta Chi Lambda | ΔΧΛ | DChiL | October 12, 2000 | University of Arizona | Sorority | 3 | Active | ||
Delta Chi Psi | ΔΧΨ | Deltas, DXPsi | December 18, 2004 | Temple University | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Delta Lambda Chi | ΔΛΧ | DLC | February 9, 2002 | University of California, Irvine | Sorority | 2 | Active | ||
Delta Phi Gamma | ΔΦΓ | DPG | April 1, 1998 | University of California, Irvine | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Delta Phi Kappa | ΔΦΚ | Deltas | May 6, 1960 | University of Southern California | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Delta Phi Lambda | ΔΦΛ | DPhiL | December 5, 1998 | University of Georgia | Sorority | NAPA | 24 | Active | [7] |
Eta Mu Theta | ΗΜΘ | Etas, Tigers | February 25, 2015 | California State University, Chico | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Gamma Beta | ΓΒ | GBs | May 1, 2000 | University of Texas at Austin | Fraternity | 6 | Active | ||
Gamma Epsilon Omega | ΓΕΩ | Gammas | 1963 | University of Southern California | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Kappa Beta Zeta | ΚΒΖ | KBZ | November 20, 2011 | University of California, Irvine | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Kappa Gamma Delta | ΚΓΔ | KGD | April 17, 1997 | Indiana University Bloomington | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Kappa Lambda Delta | ΚΛΔ | Kappa Ds | September 19, 2005 | Texas Christian University | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Kappa Phi Lambda | ΚΦΛ | Kappas, KPL | March 9, 1995 | Binghamton University | Sorority | NAPA | 39 | Active | [7] |
Kappa Pi Beta | ΚΠΒ | KPiB | March 16, 2000 | Northern Illinois University | Fraternity | 5 | Active | ||
Kappa Psi Epsilon | ΚΨΕ | Kappas | March 28, 1996 | CSULB | Sorority | 2 | Active | ||
Kappa Zeta Phi | ΚΖΦ | Kappas | December 1960 | California State University, Los Angeles | Sorority | 3 | Active | ||
Lambda Alpha Phi | ΛΑΦ | Lambdas, LAP | January 1, 1997 | Indiana University Bloomington | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Lambda Delta Psi | ΛΔΨ | LDPsi, LDY, Ladybugs | May 1, 2009 | University of Oklahoma | Sorority | 5 | Active | ||
Lambda Phi Epsilon | ΛΦΕ | Lambdas, LPhiE, LFE | February 25, 1981 | University of California, Los Angeles | Fraternity | NAPA. NIC | 70 | Active | [7] |
Lambda Psi Rho | ΛΨΡ | Rhos | February 11, 2006 | University of Nevada, Reno | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Lambda Theta Delta | ΛΘΔ | LTD | March 2, 1983 | University of California, Irvine | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Nu Alpha Phi | ΝΑΦ | Naphi, Nappys, Naps | March 18, 1994 | State University of New York at Albany | Fraternity | 9 | Active | ||
Omega Phi Gamma | ΩΦΓ | Omegas, OPhiG | May 21, 1995 | University of Texas at Austin | Fraternity | 7 | Active | ||
Omega Sigma Tau | ΩΣΤ | Omegas, OST | March 9, 1996 | University of California, Los Angeles | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Omega Xi Delta | ΩΞΔ | Omegas, Dub Xi Dee | 1994 | California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Phi Alpha Omicron | ΦΑΟ | PhiAO | February 9, 2011 | California State University, Fresno | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Phi Delta Alpha | ΦΔΑ | Phi Dee | April 2, 2002 | University of Oklahoma | Sorority | 2 | Active | ||
Phi Delta Sigma | ΦΔΣ | FDS | August 7, 2007 | University of Maryland, College Park | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Phi Zeta Tau | ΦΖΤ | Phis, PZT | February 10, 1983 | University of California, Irvine | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Pi Alpha Phi | ΠΑΦ | P.A.Phi's, Pineapples | February 1, 1929 | University of California, Berkeley | Fraternity | NAPA | 28 | Inactive | [7] |
Pi Delta Psi | ΠΔΨ | PDPsi, Pi's | February 20, 1994 | Binghamton University | Fraternity | NAPA | 31 | Active | [7] |
Psi Chi Omega | ΨΧΩ | Psi Chi's | January 24, 1992 | University of California, San Diego | Fraternity | 6 | Active | ||
Rho Delta Chi | ΡΔΧ | Rhos | January 17, 1991 | University of California, Riverside | Sorority | 6 | Active | ||
Rho Psi | ΡΨ | Su Yu She | 1916 | Cornell University | Fraternity | ||||
Sigma Omicron Pi | ΣΟΠ | S.O.Pi | 1930 | San Francisco State University | Sorority | NAPA | 13 | Active | |
Sigma Phi Omega | ΣΦΩ | Sigmas | 1949 | University of Southern California | Sorority | 10 | Active | ||
Sigma Psi Zeta | ΣΨΖ | SYZ, Sigmas | March 23, 1994 | University at Albany | Sorority | NAPA | 39 | Active | [7] |
Sigma Sigma Rho | ΣΣΡ | Sigma Rhos | December 10, 1998 | St. John’s University | Sorority | NAPA | 28 | Active | [7] |
Tau Theta Pi | ΤΘΠ | Taus, Ladybugs | November 24, 1998 | University of Southern California | Sorority | 4 | Active | ||
Tau Kappa Omega | ΤΚΩ | Taikos | March 9, 2002 | University of Oklahoma | Fraternity | 2 | Active | ||
Theta Delta Beta | ΘΔΒ | The Dark Boyz, Thetas | May 25, 1990 | University of California, Irvine | Fraternity | 5 | Active | ||
Theta Kappa Phi | ΘΚΦ | Thetas | 1959 | University of California, Los Angeles | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Theta Lambda Beta | ΘΛΒ | The Lost Boys, Thetas | September 20, 2010 | University of Illinois, Chicago | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Xi Kappa | ΞΚ | XK | February 28, 1998 | University of Georgia | Fraternity | 3 | Active | ||
Zeta Epsilon Tau | ΖΕΤ | ZET | 1971 | Originally University of Southern California moved to California State University, Long Beach | Fraternity | 1 | Active | [16] | |
Zeta Phi Rho | ΖΦΡ | Zetas | August 20, 1995 | California State University, Long Beach | Fraternity | 10 | Active |
Organization name | Symbols | Nickname | Chartered | Founding location | Type | Affiliation | Active chapters | Status | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha Phi Delta * | ΑΦΔ | APD | November 5, 1914 | Syracuse University | Fraternity | NIC | 48 | Active |
Sigma Lambda Beta
These organizations do not identify with a specific cultural identity. Some may fall under associations that cater to specific cultural backgrounds, however, the organization itself refers to itself as Multicultural.
Organization name | Symbols | Nickname | Chartered | Founding location | Type | Affiliation | Active chapters | Status | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha Theta Gamma | ΑΘΓ | Lavender Ladies, ATG | April 10, 2003 | University of Maryland College Park | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Beta Xi Chi | ΒΞΧ | Wolfpack | November 11, 1998 | Texas A&M University | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Chi Sigma Xi | ΧΣΞ | CSX | April 1, 2010 | University of Toronto Scarborough | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Delphic of Gamma Sigma Tau | ΓΣΤ | Delphics, GST | October 13, 1871 | State University of New York at Geneseo | Fraternity | 2 | Active | ||
Delta Alpha Omega | ΔΑΩ | Dayo, Omega | August 22, 2001 | University of Texas at Arlington | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Delta Alpha Sigma | ΔΑΣ | P.I.N.K. Ladies, Pinkies | March 10, 2004 | University of Texas at Arlington | Sorority | 5 | Active | ||
Delta Gamma Pi | ΔΓΠ | D G Pies, Roses | November 11, 1998 | Towson University | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Delta Psi Alpha | ΔΨΑ | DPsi, Delta Psi | November 24, 1998 | Northern Illinois University | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Delta Psi Sigma | ΔΨΣ | DYS, Deltas | January 14, 2001 | 4 | Sorority | 3 | Active | ||
Delta Sigma Chi | ΔΣΧ | DSC, Divine Sisters of Chi | November 27, 1996 | New York City College of Technology | Sorority | NMGC | 11 | Active | |
Delta Xi Nu | ΔΞΝ | Xi Honeys | October 7, 1997 | Texas A&M University | Sorority | NMGC | 20 | Active | |
Delta Xi Phi | ΔΞΦ | D-Xi, Xi-Phi, DXP | April 20, 1994 | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign | Sorority | NMGC | 23 | Active | |
Epsilon Sigma Rho | ΕΣΡ | Sigma Rho's, Rho Dawgz, Rho's | March 2, 1986 | California State University, Sacramento | Fraternity | 8 | Active | ||
Gamma Beta Lambda | ΓΒΛ | Gammahouse | October 2, 1963 | Northern Ontario | Fraternity | ||||
Gamma Omega Delta | ΓΩΔ | GQD | November 21, 1992 | SUNY New Paltz/Binghamton University | Fraternity | ||||
Gamma Phi Epsilon | ΓΦΕ | GPhiE | March 1994 | San Diego State University | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Iota Nu Kappa | ΙΝΚ | Nu-Kapps | September 13, 2010 | University of Maine [17] | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Kappa Lambda Xi | ΚΛΞ | KLXi | October 3, 2000 | University of Maryland, College Park | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Kappa Sigma Psi | ΚΣΨ | Kappas KSP, K-Psi | January 30, 2016 | University of Ontario Institute of Technology | Sorority | 2 | Active | ||
Lambda Phi Xi | ΛΦΞ | Lady Xi | January 27, 2004 | Michigan State University & Purdue University Calumet | Sorority | 5 | Active | ||
Lambda Psi Delta | ΛΨΔ | Diamonds, Diamond Girls | March 9, 1997 | Yale University | Sorority | 13 | Active | ||
Lambda Sigma Gamma | ΛΣΓ | LSG | October 24, 1986 | Sacramento State University | Sorority | NMGC | 26 | Active | |
Lambda Tau Omega | ΛΤΩ | Enchanting Mermaids | October 9, 1988 | Montclair State College | Sorority | NMGC | 26 | Active | |
Lambda Xi Beta | ΛΞΒ | Lambda Xis, LXBs | December 1, 2012 | New York City Chapter | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Mu Sigma Upsilon | ΜΣΥ | MUs | November 21, 1981 | Rutgers University | Sorority | NMGC | 64 | Active | |
Omega Delta | ΩΔ | Oh Deez | January 19, 1997 | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign | Fraternity | 8 | Active | ||
Omega Delta Phi | ΩΔΦ | O D Phi | November 25, 1987 | Texas Tech University | Fraternity | 78 | Active | ||
Omega Phi Chi | ΩΦΧ | O P C | November 9, 1988 | Rutgers University | Sorority | NMGC | 26 | Active | |
Omega Phi Kappa | ΩΦΚ | O-Phi | February 1, 1995 | Sacred Heart University | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Phi Chi Epsilon | ΦΧΕ | PCE, Royal Ladies | November 12, 1990 | New Jersey City University | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Psi Sigma Phi | ΨΣΦ | PSP, Phimen | December 12, 1990 | Montclair State University and New Jersey City University | Fraternity | NMGC | 19 | Active | |
Sigma Alpha Zeta | ΣΑΖ | Sigma's | October 17, 1992 | California State University, Fresno | Sorority | 8 | Active | ||
Sigma Beta Rho | ΣΒΡ | SigRho | August 16, 1996 | University of Pennsylvania | Fraternity | NIC, NMGC | 61 | Active | |
Sigma Omega Phi | ΣΩΦ | SOPhi's | April 26, 1990 | California State University, Chico | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Sigma Theta Psi | ΣΘΨ | Sigmas, STP | November 13, 1991 | San Jose State University | Sorority | 13 | Active | ||
Tau Phi Sigma | ΤΦΣ | November 11, 1992 | University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign | Fraternity | NIC | 9 | Active | ||
Theta Delta Sigma | ΘΔΣ | Thetas, TDS, Transcendent Siblings | April 15, 2001 | University at Buffalo, The State University of New York | Gender Inclusive | 12 | Active | ||
Theta Nu Kappa | ΘΝΚ | Nesskuhs | November 20, 2007 | University of California, Santa Barbara | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Theta Nu Xi | ΘΝΞ | TNX, Butterflies, Theta Women | April 11, 1997 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Sorority | NMGC | 58 | Active | |
Upsilon Kappa Delta | ΥΚΔ | UKD | December 10, 1993 | California State University, Chico | Sorority | 5 | Active | ||
Zeta Chi Phi | ΖΧΦ | Zee-Chi, Zetas, ZCP | January 30, 2003 | University of Texas at San Antonio | Sorority | 3 | Active | ||
Zeta Phi Rho | ΖΦΡ | ZOP, ZFR, Zetas | August 10, 1995 | California State University, Long Beach | Fraternity | 10 | Active | ||
Zeta Sigma Chi | ΖΣΧ | Z-Chi | March 3, 1991 | Northern Illinois University | Sorority | 22 | Active |
Organization name | Symbols | Nickname | Chartered | Founding location | Type | Affiliation | Active chapters | Status | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha Upsilon Nu | ΑΥΝ | AUN | 2007 | Toronto, Canada | Fraternity | ||||
Gamma Gamma Chi | ΓΓΧ | Gammas, Gamma Ladies, GGChi | April 3, 2005 | Greensboro, North Carolina | Sorority | 2 | Active | ||
Mu Delta Alpha | ΜΔΑ | Muslimahs for Change | 2016 | University of Texas at Dallas | Sorority | 5 | Active | ||
Xi Delta Pi | ΞΔΠ | XDP | October 20, 2009 | George Washington University | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Alpha Lambda Mu | ΑΛΜ | Alif Laam Meem | February 12, 2013 | University of Texas at Dallas | Fraternity | 7 | Active |
Organization name | Symbols | Nickname | Chartered | Founding location | Type | Affiliation | Active chapters | Status | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha Pi Omega | ΑΠΩ | APiO, Queen Bees | September 1, 1994 | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Sorority | 21 | Active | ||
Beta Sigma Epsilon | ΒΣΕ | Beta Sig, Horned Toads, Beta | January 1, 2000 | University of Arizona | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Epsilon Chi Nu | EXN | E Chi Nu | January 1, 1996 | East Carolina University | Fraternity | ||||
Gamma Delta Pi | ΓΔΠ | GDP, Butterflies | August 27, 2000 | University of Oklahoma | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Iota Gamma | ΙΓ | Phoenixes, Indigenous Gentlemen | October 22, 2004 | University of Oklahoma | Fraternity | 4 | Active | [18] [lower-alpha 1] | |
Phi Sigma Nu | ΦΣΝ | Nu Tribe, Nu Warriors, Phi Nu's, Nu's | February 13, 1996 | University of North Carolina at Pembroke | Fraternity | 5 | Active | ||
Sigma Omicron Epsilon | ΣΟΕ | SOE | March 30, 1997 | East Carolina University | Sorority | 3 | Active |
Organization name | Symbols | Nickname | Chartered | Founding location | Type | Affiliation | Active chapters | Status | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kappa Omega Sigma | ΚΩΣ | KOS | August 17, 2012 | University of Maryland | Fraternity | ||||
Sigma Pi Sigma Psi | ΣΠΣ | May 18, 2009 | University of California, Los Angeles | Sorority | 1 | Active |
Organization name | Symbols | Nickname | Chartered | Founding location | Type | Affiliation | Active chapters | Status | Reference |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alpha Iota Omicron | ΑΙΟ | AIO | October 16, 1998 | University of Michigan | Fraternity | 3 | Active | ||
Beta Chi Theta | ΒΧΘ | Beta Chi, BCT | June 2, 1999 | University of California, Los Angeles | Fraternity | NIC, NAPA | 29 | Active | [7] |
Beta Kappa Gamma | ΒΚΓ | BKG | May 6, 1999 | University of Texas at Austin | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Chi Psi Beta | XΨB | Chi Psi | November 18, 1998 | Texas A&M University | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Beta Kappa Gamma | ΒΚΓ | BKG | May 6, 1999 | University of Texas at Austin | Fraternity | 1 | Active | ||
Delta Epsilon Psi | ΔΕΨ | DEPsi, D E Psi | October 1, 1998 | University of Texas at Austin | Fraternity | NIC, NAPA | 35 | Active | [7] |
Delta Epsilon Sigma Iota | ΔΕΣΙ | Desi | December 12, 1997 | University at Buffalo, The State University of New York | Fraternity | 2 | Active | ||
Delta Kappa Delta | ΔΚΔ | B.E.T.I.S., DKD | October 1, 1999 | Texas A&M University | Sorority | NAPA | 15 | Active | [7] |
Delta Phi Omega | ΔΦΩ | DPO | December 6, 1998 | University of Houston | Sorority | NAPA | 49 | Active | [7] |
Delta Sigma Iota | ΔΣΙ | Delta Men, King Cobras, DSI | August 15, 2000 | Pennsylvania State University, University Park Campus | Fraternity | NAPA | 8 | Active | [7] |
Delta Theta Psi | ΔΘΨ | DTPsi | January 14, 2002 | University of Michigan | Sorority | 1 | Active | ||
Iota Nu Delta | ΙΝΔ | IND | February 7, 1994 | Binghamton University | Fraternity | NAPA, NIC | 31 | Active | [7] |
Kappa Phi Gamma | ΚΦΓ | KPhiG | November 8, 1998 | University of Texas at Austin | Sorority | NAPA | 19 | Active | [7] |
Sigma Beta Rho | ΣΒΡ | SigRho | August 16, 1996 | University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia | Fraternity | NAPA | 57 | Active | [7] [lower-alpha 2] |
Sigma Sigma Rho | ΣΣΡ | SigSig | December 10, 1998 | St. Johns University | Sorority | NAPA | 27 | Active |
Dartmouth College is host to many fraternities and sororities, and a significant percentage of the undergraduate student body is active in Greek life. In 2005, the school stated that 1,785 students were members of a fraternity, sorority, or gender-inclusive Greek house, comprising about 43 percent of all students, or about 60 percent of the eligible student body. Greek organizations at Dartmouth provide both social and residential opportunities for students and are the only single-sex residential option on campus. Greek organizations at Dartmouth do not provide dining options, as regular meal service has been banned in Greek houses since 1909.
The National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is an umbrella organization for 26 national and international women's sororities throughout the United States and Canada. Panhellenic refers to the group's members being autonomous social Greek-letter societies of college women and alumnae.
While the traditional social fraternity is a well-established mainstay across the United States at institutions of higher learning, alternatives – in the form of social fraternities that require doctrinal and behavioral conformity to the Christian faith – developed in the early 20th century. They continue to grow in size and popularity.
Sigma Lambda Upsilon (ΣΛΥ) or Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. is a Latina-based sorority founded on December 1, 1987 at Binghamton University. The organization was created to promote academic achievement and serve the Latino community and the campuses that Sigma Lambda Upsilon serves. The sorority is now present in over 65 campuses. Though Latina-based, Sigma Lambda Upsilon Sorority, Inc. is a non-discriminatory organization. The sorority is a member of the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) and is its fourth oldest sororal member by founding date.
The North American fraternity and sorority system began with students who wanted to meet secretly, usually for discussions and debates not thought appropriate by the faculty of their schools. Today they are used as social, professional, and honorary groups that promote varied combinations of community service, leadership, and academic achievement.
Clemson University opened in 1893 as an all-male military college. It was not until seventy years later in 1959 that the first fraternities and sororities arrived on campus. In the 1970s, they became recognized as national fraternities and sororities. The Greek life has now increased to 44 chapters on campus: fraternities and sororities from the National Panhellenic Conference, the North American Interfraternity Conference, the Multicultural Greek Council, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council.
Fraternities and sororities at the University of Virginia include the collegiate organizations on the grounds of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. First founded in the 1850s with the establishment of several fraternities, the system has since expanded to include sororities, professional organizations, service fraternities, honor fraternities, and cultural organizations. Fraternities and sororities have been significant to the history of the University of Virginia, including the founding of two national fraternities Kappa Sigma (ΚΣ) and Pi Kappa Alpha (ΠΚΑ).
The National APIDA Panhellenic Association (NAPA) is an umbrella council for twenty Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American fraternities and sororities in universities in the United States.