Colorado State University, Greek Life

What will I get out of Greek Life that I would not get out of any other college organization?
Coming to college is one of the major life changes that you will go through. Joining a fraternity or sorority chapter will help make the transition easier. Developing life long friendships with the members, these chapters help make the campus seem smaller. For many members, these chapters become a home away from home. In addition to the brotherhood/sisterhood, every chapter is dedicated to enhancing leadership, scholarship, and philanthropy/community service.

How will joining a fraternity or sorority benefit me after college?
The lifelong friendships you will make by being a member of a fraternity or sorority chapter will last into post-college years. Greek students have national networks for their member to use for careers and job re-locations. Membership in a chapter can be a life long experience that is an investment in your future. Wherever you end up after college, chances are you will be able to find an alumni chapter or members from your fraternity or sorority in the area. EXPLORE.

How much does it cost to be a member in a fraternity or sorority?
The Greek experience is an investment in your future. The leadership skills, the academic assistance and the friendships will benefit you beyond your college days. Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial commitment. Each chapter is self-supporting through the dues paid by their members. Membership dues go to services that directly support the betterment of the chapter and the national organization. To assist members, chapters may offer various scholarships and grants.

How time consuming is joining a fraternity or sorority?
The amount of time involved in joining a fraternity or sorority will vary from chapter to chapter. For first year students, the first semester will be the most time intensive period for you, as this is the time that the members will go through the chapter’s education period. The time spent in this program will give you the opportunity to develop leadership and time management skills, learn about the history of the organization, develop friendships with others in their new member class, as well as the rest of the chapter, and allow you to become involved with other organizations. After initiation into the chapter, expectations will vary. Each chapter has weekly chapter meetings and other mandatory events (community service events, study hours and initiation) throughout the year, but they are planned well in advance. In addition to the weekly meeting, the more you put into the chapter the more you will get out of being a member!

What does Greek Life have to offer Colorado State University students?
Many students find that joining a fraternity or sorority provides them a home away from home and a foundation upon which to build a new and exciting future. In addition, the Colorado State University Greek community opens many doors by providing leadership, academic, athletic, service, and interpersonal opportunities. The decision to join a Greek letter organization is a lifelong commitment with an organization that stands for the best things college has to offer.

Are fraternities and sororities primarily social in nature?
There is a social aspect to the Greek community, but these “social” events include education programs/workshops, community service events, intramural sports, Parent Weekend, and dinner exchanges in addition to parties and socials. Today’s Greek communities across the nation have adopted a stringent approach to socializing, thereby creating safer, more beneficial environments for their members.

What is the Hazing Policy?
Physical and mental hazing is banned by Colorado State University, as well as by the national organizations, and by the laws of the State of Colorado. Colorado State University’s groups recognize that hazing has no place in their organizations and have eliminated it. Marquette University does not tolerate any form of hazing whether intentional or unintentional and works with alumni and chapter members in an effort to provide members with a positive and rewarding Greek experience. Most “pledge” or new member periods are a fun way to learn the history of the chapter and national organizations, and a great way to make new friends. CREATE.

How many people are a part of Greek Life at CSU?
The total Greek population at CSU is approximately 1500 students. The Greek population makes up about 7% of the CSU undergraduate student body.

How many fraternities and sororities are there at CSU?
We have 37 recognized fraternities and sororities here at Colorado State University.

What is the difference between recruitment and pledging?
Recruitment is the mutual selection process by which fraternities and sororities choose those individuals to whom they will extend bids to become members of their organization, and the potential new member chooses the house that they would like to become a member of. Pledging is the period of time from when the potential new member accepts his/her bid, until they are initiated. It is during this time that the new member gets acquainted with the organization and learns the organizations history, ideals, and structure.

If I go through recruitment, will I have to pledge?
No. Recruitment is an excellent way to find out more about Greek Life at CSU and to meet many new people. Many first year students participate in recruitment their first semester, or wait until their second semester or sophomore year.

Can you join as a first year?
Yes. Formal recruitment for both men and women take place in the fall. Men's and women's informal recruitment occurs in the spring semester. First year students are eligible to participate in recruitment and join a chapter either semester. Both the historically Black and historically Latino fraternities and sororities wait until a student has at least one full time semester in college before offering opportunities for membership.

Will joining a fraternity or sorority affect my grades?
Joining a chapter is a large time commitment; however, time management and scholarship are emphasized. Many organizations hold study hours not only for their new members, but also for their initiated members, to ensure that they continue to focus on their academics.

Do fraternities and sororities haze?
It is against Colorado state law as well as every fraternity and sorority's national policy to haze any member of their organization. CSU organizations do not condone nor tolerate any form of hazing of their members.

Is alcohol a big part of Greek Life?
No, being in a fraternity or sorority at CSU is not just about parties. CSU's fraternities and sororities have some of the most active students on campus. Every organization puts in countless hours of community service, and raises money for their national philanthropies as well as encourages involvement in a wide variety of campus organizations. They also have frequently organized brotherhood/sisterhood events for their members. Whether or not to consume alcohol is a decision made by any CSU individual, being in a fraternity or sorority has no bearing on the decision.

Will it be like Animal House?
Many people have the misconception that the image of Greek organizations depicted in Animal House is really what is happening on college campuses across America. In reality, the Animal House image of Greek Life could not be further from the truth. Because the Greek community at Colorado State contributes to the social activity on campus, it has taken great strides toward creating a responsible and safe environment for its members. All fraternities and sororities have strict policies regulating the consumption of alcohol for underage members and guests. Organizations work closely with their respective governing council as well as the Office of Greek Life to conduct safe social activities. All Greek organizations are held accountable to the Alcohol Policy, and Colorado State Laws.

Is it expensive to be a member of a fraternity or sorority?
Joining a fraternity or a sorority does have a financial commitment. The chapters are self-supporting through dues paid by their members. When students join a Greek letter organization, they also agree to pay dues and fees while in school to maintain membership. Although chapters may make accommodations for special needs, students should discuss the financial obligations with their parents before deciding to join. Each chapter has different dues for membership that cover such things as chapter and national dues, dues to the Greek governing council, social activities, resources, and other miscellaneous costs. Specific financial information for each organization is available during Recruitment.

Will I be required to live in the chapter house?
Each chapter has a different policy for residency, depending on the capacity of their house. Some chapters don't utilize houses so there is no live in requirement for them. Most students that join during their first year move into the chapter house as sophomores. Each chapter house has a commercial kitchen and meal plan for members. Room and board rates are on average $2800 per semester.

Will Greek Life assist students as they begin their careers?
One of the tremendous assets of affiliation with a Greek letter organization is the nationwide network of alumni/ae members of the organization. As a student prepares for entry into the career world, alumni/ae members can assist in job placement through their knowledge of where jobs are and who is hiring. In addition, Greek Life will assist students in developing transferable skills that will be needed in the career world, such as management, leadership development, communications, and more!

What does being Greek really mean?
Membership in a Greek letter organization is a lifetime commitment. Choosing the Greek community means working with a group of men or women who can exchange and stand for common goals and ideas while being held to a higher standard than other college students. The Greek experience during the college years is a gateway to many rewards and connections later in life. Each of our chapters develops a special bond often called brotherhood or sisterhood. Both are nurtured through common work, laughter, service projects, intramurals, and the shared successes and frustrations of all. Throughout the student's life, membership will be an unwritten bond of friendship no matter what course his/her life takes.

Colorado State University, Greek Life

FAQs