Fraternity & Sorority Life

Delta Zeta
Founded in October 1902 on the campus of Miami University, Delta Zeta now boasts a membership of more than 254,700 women who share a common purpose: to lead full, meaningful and rewarding lives.

Kappa Delta
The rich traditions of Kappa Delta date back to its founding in 1897 at the then State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia. Today, the women who wear the olive green and pearl white find themselves in a sisterhood of more than 230,000, all sharing similar ideals: to become women committed to community service, active leadership, responsible citizenship and reaching their full potential.

Zeta Phi Beta
The Zeta Phi Beta sorority was founded in 1920 at Howard University in Washington, D.C., focusing on high academic ideals, service both in community and abroad, strength of character, and unity among its members. Part of the "Divine Nine," Zeta Phi Beta is of the nine historically African American sororities and fraternities in the United States.

Zeta Tau Alpha
Also founded at Virginia's State Female Normal School, Zeta Tau Alpha has had a simple mission since its inception in 1898: To impact the lives of its members by emphasizing leadership, service, academic achievement and personal growth.

Theta Xi
Theta Xi is the only fraternity founded during the Civil War and enjoys a membership of more than 60,000 and promotes the mental, moral, physical and spiritual growth of its members.

Pi Kappa Phi
Formed in 1904, Pi Kappa Phi was founded by three young men in Charleston, S.C. whose goal was one of identifying leadership opportunities in their community. Leadership in the classroom, on the athletic field, in politics and in all aspects of life is at the heart of the organization's mission, all while creating a strong sense of brotherhood.

Omega Psi Phi
Founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C., Omega Psi Phi fraternity is the first international fraternal organization founded on the campus of a historically black college. Its name stems from the notion that "friendship is essential to the soul," The men of Omega Psi Phi must uphold the fraternity’s Cardinal Principles of Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift. Omega Psi Phi is also one of the "Divine Nine," one of nine historically African American sororities and fraternities in the United States.

Phi Beta Sigma
Phi Beta Sigma was founded in 1914 at Howard University in Washington, D.C., by three young African-American male students. Today, Phi Beta Sigma has blossomed into an international organization of leaders. Members of the fraternity have been instrumental in the establishment of the Phi Beta Sigma National Foundation, the Phi Beta Sigma Federal Credit Union and the Sigma Beta Club Foundation. Zeta Phi Beta sorority, founded in 1920 with the assistance of Phi Beta Sigma, is the sister organization of the fraternity.

Kappa Alpha Psi
Kappa Alpha Psi was founded at Indiana University in 1911. Kappa Alpha Psi is the second oldest existing collegiate historically Black Greek letter fraternity and the first intercollegiate fraternity incorporated as a national body. Local chapters of Kappa Alpha Psi participate in community outreach activities to feed the homeless, provide scholarships to young people matriculating to college, serve as mentors to young men, participate in blood drives and serve as hosts of seminars for public health awareness to name a few.

The Panhellenic Council is the governing body of the four sororities at LR. Its purpose is to develop and maintain fraternity life and interchapter relations at a high level of accomplishment and in doing so:

• Consider the goals and ideals of member groups as continually applicable to campus and personal life.
• Promote superior scholarship as basic to intellectual achievement.
• Cooperate with member fraternities and the university administration in concern for and maintenance of high social and moral standards.
• Act in accordance with the National Panhellenic Conference Unanimous Agreements and policies.
• Act in accordance with such rules established by the Panhellenic Council as to not violate the sovereignty, rights, and privileges of member chapters.

Lenoir-Rhyne University Panhellenic Council is a member of the National Panhellenic Conference.

Panhellenic Creed

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.

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the governing body of LR's social fraternities. IFC holds member chapters accountable to the ideals of fraternity membership as defined by the following basic expectations of chapters.:

• Respect the human dignity of all persons
• Strive for academic achievement and maintain academic integrity
• Respect their own property and the property of others
• Meet their financial and administrative obligations in a timely manner
• Maintain chapter property so that it is safe, clean and in a condition befitting of the community of which it is a part
• Not condone nor tolerate the use of illegal drugs or the misuse of alcohol
• Challenge all members to adhere to these interfraternal expectations and will confront those who are in violation of them

The fraternity and sorority life experience is a co-curricular opportunity that will enrich a student’s college experience, better preparing each student to enter and succeed in their chosen field. Academic achievement and scholarship are at the forefront of the fraternity and sorority life experience.

Fraternity and sorority organizations must treat the educational pursuits of their members as a top priority for the continued success of chapter members and the organization as a whole. It is an obligation of the fraternity or sorority to provide an environment that will be conducive and supportive of the strong academic performance of its members.

Sponsored by the Lohr Learning Commons and academic programs, governing councils installed the Study Hall Program to help incoming members establish themselves in the classroom. Each new member is required to spend six hours per week in study hall for their first semester. A member is no longer required to attend once they maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

While hazing is not limited to Greek organizations, Lenoir-Rhyne has a zero-tolerance policy on hazing. LR educates all students interested and participating in Greek letter organizations about the definitions, signs, reporting mechanisms and consequences of hazing. There are numerous online resources that also assist in educating students and aim to prevent hazing on college campuses.

Resources

• Stop Hazing
• Hazing Prevention
• Hazing hotline: 888.NOT.HAZE

The Greek Life community at Lenoir-Rhyne University benefits both parents and students in many ways, including assisting with the college transition. Students involved in Greek life experience leadership opportunities, make lifelong friends and participate in philanthropic opportunities. Greek life membership also offers academic assistance, career and internship connections and networking opportunities.

Advantages

• A supportive environment to assist in adjustment to college.
• Scholastic resources to help students achieve academic goals.
• Exposure to leadership opportunities that provide hands-on experience.
• Opportunities for active participation in community service projects.

Benefits of Fraternity & Sorority Life

National studies indicate that students who choose to join Greek-letter organizations are:

• More likely to stay in college than non-Greek students.
• More financially successful than other college graduates.
• As alums, give both more money and more frequently to their alma maters than non-Greek alumni.
• More active on campus and in community activities.
• Alums are also more likely to get involved in volunteer and charitable organizations.

Financial Obligations

There is a financial commitment associated with joining a fraternity or sorority. The costs or dues go toward national fees, chapter operating expenses and social functions. Each chapter has different financial obligations. New members can usually expect to pay higher dues their first semester than in subsequent ones. To prepare financially, make sure to inquire about the financial obligations of membership before joining.