Fraternities and Sororities

Get involved with Greek Life at Reinhardt University.

Fraternity and Sorority life at Reinhardt is a thriving mix of social, academic, and service-oriented activities. There is one fraternity chapter and one sorority chapter at Reinhardt. The chapters are all members of well-established international Greek-letter organizations. Fraternity and sorority membership is available only to Reinhardt students.

All Greek-letter organizations at Reinhardt recruit new members in both the fall and spring semesters. There are also several events throughout the semesters designed to provide all men and women interested in the process a chance to learn more, as well as meet members of each of the organizations.

Sororities and fraternities can help you find your niche at Reinhardt as they:

offer academic assistance and support
encourage you to be active in student organizations and community service
open doors for professional opportunities
assist you in developing social skills
provide educational awareness regarding social issues
give you a chance to make friends with similar interests.

Chapters at Reinhardt

Zeta Tau Alpha

Zeta Tau Alpha was established on October 15th, 1898. Nine young women at Virginia State Female Normal School formalized their friendship by forming Zeta Tau Alpha, a fraternity that would continue to grow throughout the next century and beyond.

Zeta Tau Alpha is the third Largest National Women’s Fraternity. Now, more than 231,000 women have been initiated into the sisterhood of Zeta Tau Alpha. The founders, nine young women, envisioned an organization that would perpetuate their ties of friendship.

Kappa Sigma Fraternity

Kappa Sigma Fraternity is a unique experience. Founded at the University of Virginia on December 10, 1869, we pride ourselves upon our tight-knit brotherhood and diversity. Individuals who originate from every background mesh together to make the perfect band of brothers in Kappa Sigma. Members of Kappa Sigma hold the Fraternity’s four pillars―fellowship, leadership, scholarship and service―as cornerstones of their lives.

Eligibility Requirements

Each fraternity and sorority is dedicated to finding members with leadership potential, high academic standards, and a commitment to service. That is why we have some requirements for participating in fraternity and sorority life at Reinhardt. When you are ready to pursue membership in a fraternity or sorority in the spring semester, be sure to review our process and guidelines.

Credit Hours
- Candidates for membership in a recognized organization are required to have signed up for 12 credits hours per semester at Reinhardt University.
Grade Point Average
- Candidates for membership and active members in a recognized organization are required to have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.75 at Reinhardt University to be able to participate in Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Good Standing
- Candidates for membership as well as active members must be in academic, financial and disciplinary good standing and verified by the Office of Student Activities. This means that a student may not be a respondent in and found responsible in a conduct case beyond a level 1 violation, may not have incomplete sanctions in a conduct case where they have been found responsible, and may not be on disciplinary probation or suspension. This also means that students may not have a financial balance with the University or be on academic warning, probation or suspension.
Register for Recruitment
- Candidates for membership in a recognized organization are required to register online to participate in requirement.
Attend Recruitment Events
- Candidates for membership in a recognized organization are required to attend Open House and other events during the week of Formal Recruitment in January.

Recruitment Process

You will begin hearing about the recruitment process in the fall during an information session as part of Eagle Bound. Not only will you learn about fraternity and sorority life at Reinhardt, you will have the chance to sign up for emails from the fraternities and sororities here at Reinhardt.

If you choose to go through recruitment, you will have to attend all of the recruitment events. You will only be excused to miss an event if you have an official university conflict, such as athletic team practices, marching band, or cheerleading. We will not be able to excuse you if you have work or travel, so be sure to plan ahead.

Complete Your Greek Life Registration Form

For Parents

Encourage your student to get involved on campus before joining a Greek-letter organization. Reinhardt’s spring recruitment schedule allows students to find their place on campus before making a lifelong commitment to a fraternity or sorority. We offer a full semester for students to find a balance between their academic, student involvement and social priorities before deciding to add a Greek-letter organization that may compliment their experience.

Joining a Greek-letter organization can be a great thing. National research projects, conducted by the Center of Advanced Social Research at the University of Missouri, provide data that supports the beneficial qualities of membership in a fraternity or sorority. Students who join fraternities and sororities are 28% more likely to return to school the following year than students who choose not return. Following graduation, Greek-affiliated alumni often secure employment closely matching their career path due to alumni networking opportunities.

Please be aware that hazing has no place in any organization. Reinhardt University will not tolerate hazing in any student organization. In addition, hazing is against the law in the State of Georgia. All fraternity and sorority members know that hazing is against their national policies, university policy, and the law. All reports will be taken seriously. If you feel you or someone you know is participating in inappropriate activities, you should contact the Office of Student Activities immediately.

Greek Life FAQs

Will joining a fraternity or sorority compromise my academics?

On the contrary, a central mission of all Greek-letter organizations is academic excellence. Fraternities and sororities understand that their members are students first and foremost. Fraternities and sororities pride themselves in having outstanding scholarship due to the importance placed on academics. The University has placed a policy on academic performance standards for Greek-letter organizations which requires members and those interested in becoming members to maintain a GPA of 2.7 or higher each semester. All chapters have scholarship programs that include required study hours, tutoring, recognition for academic success, etc.

Is hazing considered a tradition among fraternities and sororities?

Hazing has no place in any organization. Reinhardt University will not tolerate hazing in any student organization. In addition, hazing is against the law in the State of Georgia. All fraternity and sorority members know that hazing is against their national policies, university policy, and the law. All reports will be taken seriously. You may choose to remain anonymous or identify yourself and ask for confidentiality. We greatly appreciate your care, concerns and insight. If you feel you or someone you know is participating in inappropriate activities, you should contact the Office of Student Activities immediately at 770-720-5532 or email Dr. Walter May, Dean of Students at wpm@reinhardt.edu.

What is the financial commitment associated with fraternities and sororities?

Joining a fraternity or sorority does carry a financial commitment. Each chapter is self-supporting with revenue coming from members who pay dues. When students join a Greek-letter organization, they agree to pay dues and fees while enrolled at Reinhardt University in order to maintain membership. While membership is affordable, some chapters are able to make accommodations for special circumstances, but students should discuss the financial obligations with you before they join.

Who is the outside representative for each of these organizations? What is their role?

The fraternities and sororities have local representatives who will assist in the establishment of a chapter at the University. Thereafter, all organizations are required to have an advisor to support the providing of community, stability, information, training, discipline, leadership, business expertise and maturity.

What are the fraternity’s/sorority’s views on drinking?

The University’s organizations will receive training from the Student Activities staff, as well as their national organizations, concerning alcohol and risk management. Most organizations have strict policies regarding alcohol. No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through or with organization funds or on the organizations behalf.

Can athletes join?

Yes, athletes are encouraged to join fraternities or sororities to become more involved on campus. There are no restrictions from athletes joining Greek-letter organizations as long as they are able to attend and participate in required events.

Are there leadership opportunities within fraternities and sororities?

Members of fraternities and sororities on campus have several opportunities to get involved in leadership both in and out of their chapter.

Does being a member of a Greek-letter organization have benefits after graduation?

Absolutely. Membership is a lifelong commitment. Once you are an initiated member, you remain a member for life. As such, each organization has an extensive alumni network. Being a fraternity or sorority member means having an immediate connection with thousands of other members. There are many successful alumni all over the country who are always looking to hire the best and the brightest that our community has to offer. In addition, there are alumni groups or graduate chapters that operate in most cities and metropolitan areas across the country. If you find yourself in a new city, you can start your networking with your brothers or sisters in the local alumni group. Relationships with alumni are one of the unique aspects of Greek membership. Opportunities for mentoring, career networking, fundraising and collaborating with alumni are some of the most meaningful experiences that last for years after college.

Speak Greek

Do you feel like students in fraternities and sororities are speaking ‘Greek’? What are these “dues” and “bids” and “initiations”? Below are several common terms used among students affiliated with fraternities and sororities to help you better understand our community.

Glossary of Greek Terms

Active	A member of a fraternity or sorority who has been initiated and is currently in college.
Alumna/Alumnae	An initiated member of a sorority who has received their undergraduate degree.
Alumnus/Alumni	An initiated member of a fraternity who has received their undergraduate degree.
Badge	Also known as a pin, it is an item of jewelry given to members upon initiation. The badge is to be worn at all official functions, and upon a members death it should be returned to the sorority or fraternity headquarters. The badge must be worn with business like attire, usually over the heart and above all other pins.
Bid	A formal invitation to join a sorority or fraternity.
Bid Day	The day in which individuals offered bids choose to accept one, such bid and become a new member. Shake day occurs immediately following the last day of rush.
Big Brother or Sister	An older member assigned to assist a new member in his or her college transition.
Brother	A term used within men’s fraternities when referring to other members.
Call	Audible sounds used by members of multi-cultural organizations to acknowledge or gain the attention of other members.
Chapter	An individual colony which comprises a larger, national fraternity or sorority.
Chapter Meeting	A weekly meeting held to discuss sorority or fraternity business.
Colony	A new organization that is awaiting official recognition from their national to have a chapter at a campus.
Colors	The official pair or triad of colors that represent a specific Greek organization.
Crest	Insignia used by sorority and fraternity members. Most Greek organizations reserve the crest for initiated members only. Each crest has hidden, secret meanings behind it. Also known as a coat or arms or shield.
Dues	Semester payments to one’s organization.
Expansion	When an organization is looking to expand and open a chapter at a new school.
Formal Recruitment	A structured period set aside (typically in January) where potential members and chapters participate in a mutual selection process to match potential members with IFC and Panhellenic chapters.
Fraternity	A Greek-lettered organization of men committed to similar ideas that develop the human spirit: leadership, scholarship, service, athletics and brotherhood.
Greek Community	The confluence of individual fraternities and sororities in Sewanee in which Greek members and organizations comprise a greater, non-exclusive community whose value and impact extends for beyond the confines of individual chapters.
Hazing	Hazing is defined as any form of coercion which is meant to elicit physical or mental compliance on the point of any member of a Greek organization. Hazing is prohibited.
Handshake	It’s a special handshake unique to each organization. Only initiated members will know the handshake. Also known as a Grip.
Initiation	The formal date in which new members become actives within an establishment.
Interfraternity Council (IFC)	The collegiate governing body of all North-American Interfraternity Conference fraternities.
Legacy	A prospective member whose parent, sibling, or grandparent is an alumnae/alumni or active of a sorority or fraternity.
Letters	The first Greek letter of each Greek word that makes up the name of the fraternity or sorority are often displayed on clothing. For example, Zeta Tau Alpha’s letters are ZTA.
Membership Intake	The membership recruitment, educational and induction process that one goes through in order to become an NPHC member.
Mixer/Exchange/Social	A party between a sorority and fraternity, or several fraternities and sororities, often involving themes or games.
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)	The governing body of historically African-American sororities and fraternities sometimes referred to as the Divine Nine, being derived from the nine organizations that make up the council.
New Member	A woman or man who has accepted a fraternity or sorority bid, but has not been initiated.
New Member Class	The group of new members that will be going through the New Member Program and Initiation together. Formerly called a pledge class, this term is still used among the fraternities.
New Member Education Period	The period of time before initiation when new members learn about their fraternity or sorority.
National Panhellenic Conference	The National Panhellenic Conference is the organization that governs the 26 national women’s sororities.
Philanthropy	Fund-raising projects sponsored by fraternities or sororities supporting local and inter/national charitable organizations.
Potential New Members	A person participating in recruitment.
Recruitment	The process where sororities and fraternities get new members. Potential new members tour each house, are invited to parties and choose the new members of their organization. The old term is rush, which is still used by the fraternities. The formal name is Formal Recruitment. Held each spring.
Ritual	An event in which a chapter’s traditions are executed and exhibited as part of new member education.
Sister	A term used within sororities when referring to other members.
Sorority	A Greek-lettered organization of women that emphasizes leadership and personal development, banded together for educational, philanthropic, civic and social purposes.

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