List of social sororities and women's fraternities

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Social, traditional, or collegiate sororities, in the North American fraternal system, are those that do not promote a particular profession, as professional fraternities do, or discipline, such as service fraternities and sororities. Instead, their primary purposes are often stated as the development of character, literary or leadership ability, or to serve a more simple social purpose. A fraternity is usually understood to mean a social organization composed only of men, and a sorority is composed of women. However, many women's organizations and co-ed organizations also refer to themselves as women's fraternities.

Contents

This list of North American collegiate sororities and women's fraternities is not exhaustive. It includes only social collegiate organizations; other types of social fraternal organizations can be found under the list of general fraternities. Cultural interest sororities can be found in cultural interest fraternities and sororities. Men's and co-educational fraternities are listed in Lists of social fraternities.

Some organizations in this list have a specific major listed as a traditional emphasis. These organizations are social organizations that cater to students in those majors. Other listed fraternities have a traditional emphasis on a specific religion or ethnic background but are primarily social in function.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Sororities and women's fraternities

Active groups are in bold. Inactive sororities are indicated in italics.

OrganizationSymbolCharter date and rangeScopeAffiliation [a] TypeCrest motto [b] StatusReference
Alpha Beta Psi ΑΒΨ1978LocalIndependentTraditionalActive
Alpha Chi Omega ΑΧΩ1885International NPC TraditionalΣυσπουδάσωμεν τά ανώτατα

  (Together Let Us Seek the Heights)

Active [c]
Alpha Chi Theta ΑΧΘ2013Local University of Victoria TraditionalAcitve [1]
Alpha Delta Alpha ΑΔΑ1980Local Michigan Technological University TraditionalActive [2]
Alpha Delta Chi ΑΔΧ1925NationalIndependentChristianKatoptriozomai [d]

  (Reflected in mirror)

Active
Alpha Delta Pi ΑΔΠ1851International NPC TraditionalΖῶμεν Ἀλλήλοις

  (We live for each other)

Active [e]
Alpha Delta Theta ΑΔΘ1919–1939National NPC TraditionalInactive [f]
Alpha Epsilon Phi ΑΕΦ1909National NPC TraditionalΑΛΦΑ ΕΨΙΛΟΝ ΦΙActive [g]
Alpha Gamma Delta ΑΓΔ1904International NPC TraditionalΑΛΦΑ ΓΑΜΜΑ ΔΕΛΤΑActive
Alpha Gamma Phi ΑΓΦ1957Local Hope College TraditionalActive [3]
Alpha Kappa Alpha ΑΚΑ1908International NPHC African-AmericanΟΦΕΛΥΟΜΕΝ ΥΠΗΡΕΤΙΔΕΣActive
alpha Kappa Delta Phi αΚΔΦ1990InternationalNAPAAsianΣορορνμ σοδαλιτασ αετερνα

  (Timeless friendship through sisterhood)

Active
Alpha Kappa Psi ΑΚΨ1900–1920NationalTraditionalInactive [h]
Alpha Omicron Pi ΑΟΠ1897International NPC TraditionalActive
Alpha Phi ΑΦ1872International NPC Traditionalζευξις χειρι εν χειρι  (Union hand in hand)Active
Alpha Phi Gamma ΑΦΓ1994NationalNAPAAsianΣιγμα Αλπηα Αλπηα[sic]Active
Alpha Pi Omega ΑΠΩ1994NationalIndependentNative AmericanActive
Alpha Sigma Alpha ΑΣΑ1901National NPC TraditionalΑΓΑΣΘΕ ΣΠΕΥΔΕΤΕ ΑΙΡΕΣΘΕ

  (Aspire, seek, attain)

Active [i]
Alpha Sigma ChiΑΣΧ1923Local SUNY Oswego TraditionalActive [4] [j]
Alpha Sigma Delta ΑΣΔ1918–1932NationalIndependentTraditionalInactive [k]
Alpha Sigma Rho ΑΣΡ1998NationalNAPAAsian AmericanActive
Alpha Sigma Tau ΑΣΤ1899National NPC TraditionalΑλφα Σιγμα Ταυ

  [sic]

Active [l]
Alpha Xi Delta ΑΞΔ1893National NPC TraditionalΑλφα Ξι Δελτα

  [sic]

Active
Beta Phi Alpha ΒΦΑ1919–1941National NPC (former)TraditionalInactive [m]
Beta Sigma Omicron ΒΣΟ1888–1964National NPC (former)TraditionalInactive [n]
Beta Upsilon Delta ΒΥΔ1978Local St. Joseph's University TraditionalActive [5]
Ceres 1984NationalIndependentSocial and agriculturalActive
Chi Alpha Nu ΧΑΝ1927Local Muskingum University TraditionalActive [6] [7]
Chi Beta Epsilon ΧΒΕ1952Local Trinity University TraditionalActive [8]
Chi Delta Theta ΧΔΘ1989NationalIndependentAsian, multiculturalActive
Chi Iota Pi ΧΙΠ2004NationalIndependentMulticulturalActive
Chi Omega ΧΩ1895National NPC TraditionalActive
Chi Upsilon Sigma ΧΥΣ1980National NALFO LatinaActive
Clovia 1931NationalIndependent4-H originActive
Delta Delta Delta ΔΔΔ1888International NPC TraditionalἈσφαλῶς Ἀγαπῶμεν Ἀλλήλας  (Let us steadfastly love one another)Active
Delta Gamma ΔΓ1873International NPC TraditionalActive
Delta Phi Epsilon ΔΦΕ1917International NPC TraditionalEsse Quam Videri  (To be rather than to seem to be)Active
Delta Phi Lambda ΔΦΛ1998National NAPA AsianActive
Delta Phi Omega ΔΦΩ1998NationalNAPASouth AsianActive
Delta Sigma Epsilon ΔΣΕ1914–1956International NPC TraditionalInactive [o]
Delta Sigma Theta ΔΣΘ1913International NPHC African-AmericanΔΕΛΤΑ ΣΙΓΜΑ ΘΕΤΑ[sic]Active
Delta Theta Psi ΔΘΨMarch 1992Local College of Wooster LocalActive [9]
Delta Xi Nu ΔΞΝ1997National NMGC MulticulturalActive
Delta Xi Phi ΔΞΦ1994National NMGC MulticulturalΔΕΛΤΑ ΞΙ ΦΙActive
Delta Zeta ΔΖ1902National NPC TraditionalΔια Καρτερου Ζωπυρον (Via strong fire)Active
Eta Gamma Delta ΗΓΔ1928National CIPFI Puerto RicanActive
Eta Psi KappaΗΨΚ2001Local University of Olivet TraditionalActive [10]
Eta Upsilon Gamma ΗΥΓ1901National JPHC TraditionalBe Strong in the TruthInactive
Gamma Alpha Omega ΓΑΩ1993National NALFO LatinaNos Una Crescemus

  (United We Will Grow)

Active
Gamma Eta ΓΗ1995National NMGC TraditionalActive
Gamma Phi Beta ΓΦΒ1874International NPC TraditionalActive
Gamma Rho Lambda ΓΡΛ2003NationalIndependentLGBTQActive
Iota Alpha Pi ΙΑΠ1903–1971International NPC TraditionalInactive [p]
Kappa Alpha Theta ΚΑΘ1870International NPC TraditionalΚΑΠΠΑ ΑΛΦΑ ΘΗΤΑActive
Kappa Beta Gamma ΚΒΓ1917InternationalIndependentTraditionalActive
Kappa Delta ΚΔ1897National NPC TraditionalΤα Καλά Διώκομεν

  (Seeking the good)

Active
Kappa Delta Chi ΚΔΧ1987National NALFO LatinaActive
Kappa Kappa Gamma ΚΚΓ1870International NPC TraditionalActive
Kappa Lambda Iota ΚΛΙ1869Local McKendree University TraditionalActive [11] [q]
Kappa Phi Delta ΚΦΔ1904Local Illinois Institute of Technology TraditionalActive [12]
Kappa Phi Lambda ΚΦΛ1995NationalNAPAAsianFraternte Servitium Varietas

  (Sisterhood, Service, Diversity)

Active
Lambda Omega ΛΩ1915–1933National NPC TraditionalInactive [r]
Lambda Pi Chi ΛΠΧ1988National NALFO LatinaActive
Lambda Pi Upsilon ΛΠΥ1992National NALFO LatinaActive
Lambda Psi Delta ΛΨΔ1997National NMGC Multicultural
Lambda Sigma Gamma ΛΣΓ1986Regional NMGC MulticulturalActive
Lambda Tau Omega ΛΤΩ1988National NMGC MulticulturalActive
Lambda Theta Alpha ΛΘΑ1975National NALFO LatinaActive
Lambda Theta Nu ΛΘΝ1986National NALFO LatinaActive
Mu Alpha Phi ΜΑΦ1927Regional CIPFI Puerto RicanActive
Mu Sigma Upsilon ΜΣΥ1981National NMGC MulticulturalMujeres Siempre Unidas

  (Women Always United)

Active
Omega Phi Beta ΩΦΒ1989National NALFO MulticulturalActive
Omega Phi Chi ΩΦΧ1988National NMGC MulticulturalActive
Phi Alpha Mu ΦΑΜ1926Local McDaniel College TraditionalActive [13] [14]
Phi Beta Chi ΦΒΧ1978NationalIndependentLutheranAmor Via Vitae in Christo  (Love through Life in Christ)Active
Phi Kappa Pi (aka Alpha Clionian )ΦΚΠ1872Local SUNY Geneseo TraditionalActive [15] [16] [s]
Phi Mu ΦΜ1852National NPC TraditionalLes Soeurs Fideles

  (The Faithful Sisters)

Active
Phi Sigma Rho ΦΣΡ1984NationalIndependentEngineeringActive
Phi Sigma Sigma ΦΣΣ1913National NPC TraditionalΔιωκετε Υψηλα

  (Aim high)

Active
Pi Alpha Gamma ΠΑΓ2011Local St. Thomas University and University of New Brunswick TraditionalActive [17]
Pi Beta Phi ΠΒΦ1867International NPC TraditionalActive
Pi Delta Kappa ΠΔΚ1907–1913RegionalIndependentTraditionalInactive [t]
Pi Kappa Sigma ΠΚΣ1894–1959International NPC TraditionalInactive [u]
Pi Lambda Sigma ΠΛΣ1921–1952NationalIndependentTraditionalInactive [v] [w]
Phi Omega Pi ΦΩΠ1922–1946National NPC TraditionalInactive [x]
Pi Sigma Gamma ΠΣΓ1919–1932National NPC TraditionalInactive [y]
Psi Lambda XiΨΛΞ2007Local DePauw University TraditionalActive [18]
Sigma Alpha Epsilon Pi ΣΑΕΠ1998NationalIndependentJewishActive
Sigma Alpha Omega ΣΑΩ1998NationalIndependentChristianActive
Sigma Beta ΣΒJanuary 18, 1907Local University of Olivet TraditionalActive [19]
Sigma Delta Chi ΣΔΧApril 1902–November 11, 1915RegionalIndependentTraditionalInactive [z]
Sigma Delta Tau ΣΔΤ1917International NPC JewishPatriae Multae Spes Una (One Hope of Many People)Active [aa]
Sigma Gamma Rho ΣΓΡ1922International NPHC African-AmericanActive
Sigma Iota Alpha ΣΙΑ1990National NALFO LatinaSemper Unum et Inseparabilis  (Always One and Inseparable)Active
Sigma Kappa ΣΚ1874National NPC TraditionalActive
Sigma Lambda Alpha ΣΛΑ1992NationalIndependentLatinaActive
Sigma Lambda Gamma ΣΛΓ1990NationalIndependentLatinaActive
Sigma Lambda Upsilon ΣΛΥ1987National NALFO LatinaActive
Sigma Omicron Epsilon ΣΟΕ1997NationalIndependentNative AmericanActive
Sigma Omicron Pi ΣΟΠ1930NationalNAPAAsian AmericanActive
Sigma Phi Beta ΣΦΒ1920–1933National NPC TraditionalInactive [ab]
Sigma Phi Lambda ΣΦΛ1988NationalIndependentChristianActive
Sigma Phi Omega ΣΦΩ1949NationalIndependentAsianActive
Sigma Pi Alpha ΣΠΑ1996NationalIndependentChicana/LatinaActive
Sigma Psi ΣΨ1896Local Case Western Reserve University TraditionalActive
Sigma Psi Zeta ΣΨΖ1994NationalNAPAAsian AmericanActive
Sigma Sigma Sigma ΣΣΣ1898International NPC TraditionalΠιστός εϊς θάνατον (Faithful unto death)Active [ac]
Tau Mu Tau ΤΜΤ1904Local Gustavus Adolphus College TraditionalActive
Theta Nu Xi ΘΝΞ1997National NMGC MulticulturalActive
Theta Phi Alpha ΘΦΑ1912National NPC TraditionalΘήτα φι ΑλφαActive [ad]
Theta Sigma Upsilon ΘΣΥ1921–1959National NPC, PFA TraditionalInactive [ae]
Theta Upsilon ΘΥ1921–1962National NPC TraditionalInactive [af]
Zeta Chi EpsilonΖΧΕ2011Local Ferrum College TraditionalActive [20] [21]
Zeta Chi Phi ΖΧΦ2003NationalIndependentMulticulturalActive
Zeta Phi Beta ΖΦΒ1920International NPHC African-Americanπαντα ἐργασία νίκα  (Labor always wins)Active
Zeta Sigma Chi ΖΣΧ1991NationalIndependentMulticulturalKeeping the dream aliveActive
Zeta Tau Alpha ΖΤΑ1898International NPC TraditionalΖητα Ταυ ΑλφαActive
  1. ↑ Includes the college or university for local sororities.
  2. ↑ Any text in Greek or Latin writing contained within the crests. This does not necessarily correspond to the motto. A few are in Spanish or French. The orthography and punctuation are as depicted in the crest's writing, and are not necessarily grammatically correct.
  3. ↑ Originally a music sorority
  4. ↑ Includes both Latin and Greek letters.
  5. ↑ Originally a secret society.
  6. ↑ Merged with Phi Mu.
  7. ↑ Originally a Jewish sorority
  8. ↑ Merged with Delta Delta Delta and dispersed to multiple sororities.
  9. ↑ Originally an educational sorority
  10. ↑ Originally affiliated with Alpha Sigma Alpha.
  11. ↑ Merged with Lambda Omega (see Delta Zeta).
  12. ↑ Originally an educational sorority
  13. ↑ Merged with Lambda Omega (see Delta Zeta).
  14. ↑ Merged with Zeta Tau Alpha.
  15. ↑ Merged with Delta Zeta.
  16. ↑ Sorority disbanded.
  17. ↑ Originally called the Clionian Literary Society.
  18. ↑ Merged with Delta Zeta.
  19. ↑ Was formed as Alpha Clionian literary society. It began using the Greek letters Phi Kappa Pi c. 1902, but still uses the name Alpha Clio.
  20. ↑ Merged with Chi Omega.
  21. ↑ Merged with Sigma Kappa.
  22. ↑ Merged with Theta Phi Alpha.
  23. ↑ This is the Catholic women's general sorority, not the former local honor society for library science at Syracuse, now a part of Beta Phi Mu.
  24. ↑ Merged with Delta Zeta.
  25. ↑ Merged with Beta Sigma Omicron.
  26. ↑ Merged with Sigma Sigma Sigma.
  27. ↑ Originally a Jewish sorority.
  28. ↑ Merged with Phi Omega Pi.
  29. ↑ Originally an educational sorority
  30. ↑ Originally a Catholic sorority
  31. ↑ Merged with Alpha Gamma Delta.
  32. ↑ Merged with Delta Zeta.

Coeducational sororities and fraternities

Coeducational fraternities permit both male and female members.

See also

Related Research Articles

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.

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.

While most of the traditional women's fraternities or sororities were founded decades before the start of the 20th century, the first ever specifically Christian-themed Greek Letter Organization formed was the Kappa Phi Club, founded in Kansas in 1916. Kappa Phi was a women's sisterhood that developed out of a bible study and remains one of the largest nationally present Christian women's collegiate clubs today. Later organizations added more defined social programming along with a Christian emphasis, bridging the gap between non-secular traditional sororities and church-sponsored bible study groups, campus ministries and sect-based clubs and study groups.

The expansion of Greek letter organizations into Canada was an important stage of the North American fraternity movement, beginning in 1879 with the establishment of a chapter of Zeta Psi at the University of Toronto. In 1883, the same fraternity established a chapter at McGill University. Other early foundations were Kappa Alpha Society at Toronto in 1892 and at McGill in 1899, and Alpha Delta Phi at Toronto in 1893 and at McGill in 1897. The first sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, was established in Toronto in 1887. In 1902, the first international chapter of Phi Delta Theta was established at McGill University as the Quebec Alpha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington & Jefferson College fraternities and sororities</span>

Washington & Jefferson College is host to 8 Greek organizations and a significant percentage of the undergraduate student body is active in Greek life. With 43% of women and 40% of men of the student body participating in "greek life," fraternities and sororities play a significant role in student life at W&J. The Princeton Review named Washington & Jefferson College 12th on their 2010 list of "Major Frat and Sorority Scene" in the United States. As of 2024, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life recognized 4 fraternities, Alpha Tau Omega, Beta Theta Pi, Delta Tau Delta, and Phi Kappa Psi, and 4 sororities, Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Kappa Gamma, and Pi Beta Phi. The fraternities are governed by a local Interfraternal Council and the sororities are governed by a local Panhellenic Council, while the Greek Judiciary manages broad policy violations at the chapter-level. All Greek organizations occupy College-owned houses on Chestnut Street on campus. All members of fraternities and sororities must pay the $100 "Greek Membership Fee," a levy designed to fund leadership seminars and other educational events for Greeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National APIDA Panhellenic Association</span> Greek letter umbrella organization

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.

References

  1. ↑ "Alpha Chi Theta Sorority". alphachithetaold. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  2. ↑ "About". Alpha Delta Alpha Sorority. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  3. ↑ "Alpha Gamma Phi | Greek Life". Hope College. 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-10-03.
  4. ↑ "Registered Fraternities & Sororities". SUNY Oswego. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  5. ↑ "Beta Upsilon Delta". St. Joseph's University New York. Retrieved 2024-10-05.
  6. ↑ "About". Chi Alpha Nu. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  7. ↑ "Campus Organization Listing". www.muskingum.edu. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
  8. ↑ "Fraternities and Sororities". Trinity University. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  9. ↑ "Delta Theta Psi (Thetas)". The College of Wooster. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
  10. ↑ "Eta Psi Kappa". The University of Olivet. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  11. ↑ "Kappa Lambda Iota". McKendree University. Retrieved 2024-10-10.
  12. ↑ "Chapters | Fraternity and Sorority Life". Illinois Institute of Technology. Retrieved 2024-10-11.
  13. ↑ "About Us". phialphamu. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  14. ↑ "Greek Life". McDaniel College. Retrieved 2024-10-29.
  15. ↑ "Student Organizations - Organization Directory". SUNY Geneseo. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  16. ↑ "History". The Alpha Clionian Sorority. 2020-10-11. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  17. ↑ "About Us". Pi Alpha Gamma, Alpha chapter. Retrieved 2024-10-16.
  18. ↑ "Psi Lambda Xi". DePauw University. Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  19. ↑ "Sigma Beta". The University of Olivet. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
  20. ↑ Keene, Greg (2018-03-23). "Leigh Ann Bush 2014". Ferrum College. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  21. ↑ "PAL tutors among the "busiest, most involved students on campus"". Ferrum College. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
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