Published: Aug. 28, 2023

Members of Greek life at a CUnity event on campus

Getting involved on campus is a great way to meet new friends, explore your interests and develop professional skills. If you are looking for a way to get involved this semester and beyond, consider joining a fraternity or sorority. These organizations can transform your college journey and make your college experience more memorable. 

With fall recruitment happening now, here is what you need to know about Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) at CU Boulder. 

Find the chapter that is a good fit for you

CU Boulder recognizes nearly 30 fraternity and sorority organizations, which means there are various opportunities for you to find your home. Each of those organizations are housed in one of the university’s four fraternity and sorority councils: 

  • CU Interfraternity Council (CUIFC) represents 10 university-recognized organizations that strive for positive interfraternal relations, brotherhood, scholarship and service. Affiliated fraternities are organizations where students can find a sense of belonging, have fun at social events and make lifelong friendships. Fraternities outside of CUIFC are not officially sanctioned by the university. 
  • Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) represents seven fraternities and sororities that are culturally based, giving members a place to explore their culture and identity through close friendships and mentorships, community service, and personal and leadership development opportunities. 
  • National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is composed of nine historically Black fraternities and sororities. One organization, Omega Psi Phi, is officially registered with CU Boulder and four others are recognized on campus with provisional status. These organizations create additional space for the university’s Black students to feel stronger senses of belonging, inclusion and engagement. 
  • Panhellenic Council represents 11 sorority chapters. Panhellenic is the largest women’s organization on campus with more than 3,000 members. These chapters can help you grow by connecting you with both undergraduate and alumni mentors, providing spaces to be challenged and supported, and helping you find a place to belong at CU Boulder. 

While the members of each chapter may share similar interests, each person brings their own life experiences that contribute to the chapter’s values.  

Ready to get involved?

Fraternity & Sorority Life Recruitment is now open! This is your opportunity to find your place on campus, make lifelong friendships, gain leadership skills, give back to your community and more.   

Experience the best of fraternity and sorority life

Joining a fraternity or sorority can help you build ongoing connections, stay focused on school, find leadership and career opportunities, and give back to your campus and Boulder community. 

  • A lifelong community. The connections you make when being a part of Greek life are friendships that will continue beyond college. Joining a fraternity or sorority allows you to have a place where you can be yourself, feel right at home and have a dedicated support system.  
  • Academic excellence. Achieving your academic goals is why you are attending CU Boulder, and Greek life offers the support for fraternity and sorority members to succeed. Some of those resources include programming, incentives and ongoing recognition. You will also be held to a high academic standard by both your chapter and the university. Most fraternities and sororities require a minimum of 2.5 GPA each semester to remain in good academic standing. 
  • Leadership and career opportunities. With the support of your chapter and friends behind you, fraternities and sororities can help you gain experiences that set you up for success after graduation. Fraternity and sorority members participate in a number of leadership development programs from the local to national level. This includes chapter or council officer positions, national regional leadership conferences, campus-based leadership opportunities and committee involvement. 
  • Philanthropy. A key aspect of Greek life is philanthropy. Service is one of the most meaningful aspects of joining a fraternity or sorority, and perhaps the most personally rewarding. Members can participate in hands-on volunteer work or host fundraising events.   

Prepare for fall recruitment

CUIFC fraternities and Panhellenic sororities host fall recruitment at the start of every academic year. You can register for either now: 

Fraternity recruitment begins with the CUIFC Convocation on Aug. 31. After that kickoff, chapters host a series of open houses, giving potential new members the opportunity to meet with each organization. Chapters will then host invite-only events where students interested in joining a chapter can talk more with current members. CUIFC recruitment culminates with Bid Day, when all chapters distribute invitations to join. 

Panhellenic recruitment kicks off on Aug. 30 with the Potential New Member Orientation. In the four days following, students who are interested in joining a sorority get to know members in each chapter through four rounds of meetings. 

At the end of each round, chapters will select the potential members they would like to invite back, and potential members prioritize which organizations they would like to visit again. This mutual selection process allows chapters and potential members to find their best fit. Potential new members are officially invited to their chapter on the final day–Bid Day. 

If a culturally-based organization feels like a better fit for you, know that MGC and NPHC intake new members all year round. Fill out the following interest forms if you would like to learn more about those councils or join a chapter. 

As you get to know the different chapters, here are some questions you could ask to see if you share similar values, interests and goals: 

  • What does it look like being a part of your organization? 
  • What are your values? 
  • What are your philanthropic affiliations? 
  • What kind of time commitment is there to be involved with your organization? 
  • When and how often do you meet? 

Learn the benefits of joining a university-affiliated fraternity 

Fraternity & Sorority Life’s affiliation process helps ensure that students are joining university recognized organizations that offer safe fraternity experiences, provide well-established programs and resources, and are officially connected to the university. 

The 10 CUIFC fraternities that are affiliated with CU Boulder enjoy benefits such as social and philanthropic events with sororities, the ability to participate in Homecoming and Greek Week, and ongoing advising, education and resources on various topics such as: 

  • Title IX/sexual assault prevention training. 
  • Alcohol education. 
  • Finance training. 
  • Fiscal management.  
  • Program planning. 

To become a university-affiliated fraternity, chapters must sign a Recognized Social Greek Organizations (RSGO) agreement that includes provisions to follow all university policies. The agreements also outline certain conditions aimed at increasing safety, accountability and student success. 

CU Boulder is welcoming an 11th fraternity as a university-affiliated organization this fall. The fraternity Triangle signed a RSGO and will join CUIFC on Sept. 25. Triangle is open to students majoring in a STEM-related field, offering members a social experience with a focus on academic success. Students who are interested in joining Triangle can fill out the fraternity’s interest form

Fraternities in the Boulder area that have not signed a RSGO agreement are not currently affiliated with CU Boulder. Learn more about the experiences and benefits of joining a university-affiliated fraternity on the FSL website