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Parent Information
Greek life offers many benefits to your student’s college experience including leadership skills, community service, and a sense of belonging.
There are three primary steps to the joining process, no matter the organization: interest, new member education, and initiation. You can play an important role in your student’s fraternity or sorority experience by becoming familiar with our community and organizations. Below are some frequently asked questions.
Why should students join a social Greek-letter organization?
There are tremendous benefits to participating in a social Greek-letter organization, including a sense of belonging, lifelong friendships, alumni networks, and peer support which can be invaluable during the transition to college life. Fraternities and Sororities encourage leadership development and personal growth through their programming and structure. Undergraduate members can take on leadership roles as officers and/or committee members, both within the organization and at the council level. In addition, social Greek-letter organizations prioritize community service and philanthropy, allowing our students the opportunity to give back to their community in a meaningful way.
How can I support my student during their joining process?
Parents and families play a supporting role during the joining process by reinforcing balance and priorities, encouraging informed decision making, and listening and encouraging reflection.
- Encourage your student to do their research. They should ask questions about time commitments, academic expectations, financial obligations, core values, and the structure of the inter/national organization.
- Allow your student to talk openly about their experiences. We encourage you to ask thoughtful questions to help them reflect on their organization’s values, culture, and expectations.
- Remind your student that academics, health, and well-being are the top priority. A healthy Fraternity and Sorority Life experience is one that supports and enhances their success in and out of the classroom.
- Familiarize yourself with Fraternity and Sorority Life policies, University at Buffalo policies, and our recognized organizations.
If I suspect that my student is being hazed, what can I do?
For information regarding UB’s stance on Hazing and the resources available, visit XXXX
Unrecognized Groups
There are a few groups operated by students that wrongfully attempt to function and are not recognized by the University at Buffalo. Several of these groups are also not recognized by the inter/national organization which they pretend to be a part of.
To avoid disciplinary and/or legal action we highly discourage your student from affiliating with these groups.
Women's Groups
- Alpha Epsilon Phi (A-E-Phi) – derecognized in 2009
- Alpha Phi – derecognized in 2021
- Delta Delta – derecognized in 2009
Men's Groups
- Pi Lambda Phi – derecognized in 2020
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) – derecognized in 2020
- Sigma Alpha Mu (Sammies) – derecognized in 1995 and again in 2001
- Theta Chi – derecognized in 2020
- Alpha Sigma Phi – derecognized in 2020
- Alpha Phi Delta – never recognized
- Pi Kappa Phi – derecognized in 2020
- Tau Epsilon Phi – derecognized in 2020
- Tau Kappa Epsilon – derecognized in 2020
- Pi Alpha Phi (Pineapples) – National Headquarters closed all chapters in 2023
UB strongly warns against affiliation with these groups due to their histories of misconduct and inability to monitor membership within the organizations.
The University at Buffalo does not advise nor control the actions of unrecognized groups. Typically, the instances of hazing and violations of student code of conduct are high for these groups. University policy mandates a permanent transcript notation for students who are found to be responsible for hazing incidents that involve the injury of another person.