2023-2024 Fraternity and Sorority Life

Transylvania University

Welcome

For more than 150 years, Greek letter organizations have been actively involved on campus at Transylvania University. The Fraternity and Sorority Life community strives to improve the lives of its members and the community through academic excellence, leadership development and a focus on service and philanthropy. Fraternity and sorority members are committed to living their values.

For many current students, fraternity and sorority life plays an important role in their development and experience at Transy. All of our chapters are associated with national or international organizations — there are fraternities and sororities. Four fraternities belong to a governing group called the lnterfraternity Council. Four sororities similarly belong to a governing council called the College Panhellenic Association. Our two newest chartered groups are part of the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Transylvania also hosts three honor societies that you can join: Order of Omega, Gamma Sigma Alpha and Rho Lambda.

Today, approximately 40% of the student body are members of a fraternity or sorority. Though there are different national chapters on campus, all chapters share common founding principles and enhance the educational experience by emphasizing intellectual and social development. Being a part of the fraternity and sorority community means learning in and out of the classroom, seeking opportunities for engagement such as leadership positions and service events. Membership in a chapter is a lifelong commitment, not just while in college. Relationship building and networking opportunities will extend beyond your time at Transylvania.

Pillars of Fraternity and Sorority Life

Friendship

One of the greatest aspects of fraternity and sorority life is the friendships that are made through membership. These friendships stand the test of time. Involvement in a sorority or fraternity gives members an opportunity to widen their circle of friends beyond their majors, interests and teams. As you learn more about your brothers and sisters, you will see growth and development in yourself.

Leadership

Leadership development is ingrained in Transylvania’s fraternity and sorority life organizations. Early on, members are presented with leadership roles and opportunities. They are given skills and training to fine tune their leadership styles. Campus leaders often are members of the fraternity and sorority community. Regularly, members find themselves in other campus leadership roles such as resident advisers, athletic team captains, Student Government Association, Student Activities Board, admissions ambassadors and First Engagement scholars.

Academics

Academic excellence is at the core of the liberal arts education. Students come to Transy for the academic rigor and scholastic challenge. Historically, the fraternity and sorority GPA is above the all-campus average, term after term. Scholarship is valued by each chapter, which devotes resources and programs to assist members in achieving its academic goals. Tutoring, study sessions and awards motivate members to do well in the classroom.

Service

Transylvania students and Fraternity & Sorority organizations are committed to community and civic engagement. This commitment is visible on campus through the various fundraisers, volunteer opportunities, and support shown for several non-profit organizations. Students can be seen collaborating on a blood drive, putting together peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, selling baked goods, or practicing for annual philanthropic events.

Interfraternity Council

The Transylvania lnterfraternity Council is the governing body for four of our recognized fraternities on campus. The council consists of a delegate from each chapter, the chapter president, six officers from various chapters, and the Fraternity and Sorority Life adviser. The council works to implement educational, social and service activities throughout the year. Formal recruitment for IFC organizations occurs during the start of the fall term.

Delta Sigma Phi

Motto: Better Men. Better Lives.
Fraternity Founded: 1899, City College of New York
Chapter Chartered: 1941

Kappa Alpha Order

Motto: A moral compass for the modern gentleman.
Fraternity Founded: 1865, Washington College
Chapter Chartered: 1891

Phi Kappa Tau

Motto: Learning. Leading. Serving.
Fraternity Founded: 1906, Miami University
Chapter Chartered: 1919

Pi Kappa Alpha

Motto: To set the standard of integrity, intellect, and achievement for our members, host institutions, and the communities in which we live.
Fraternity Founded: 1868, University of Virginia
Chapter Chartered: 1888

Panhellenic Association

The College Panhellenic Association is the council that represents the four National Panhellenic Conference sororities on campus. The council is made up of one delegate from each chapter, each chapter president, eight executive officers from various chapters, and the Fraternity and Sorority Life adviser. The Panhellenic Association is responsible for organizing programs for the betterment of all sororities on campus. Formal recruitment occurs during the start of the fall term.

Alpha Omicron Pi

Motto: Inspire Ambition
Sorority Founded: 1897, Barnard College
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 1987

Chi Omega

Motto: To work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely.
Sorority Founded: 1895. University of Arkansas
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 1903

Delta Delta Delta

Motto: Let us steadfastly love one another.
Sorority Founded: 1888, Boston University
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 1908

Phi Mu

Motto: The Faithful Sisters
Sorority Founded: 1852, Wesleyan College
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 1939

National Pan-Hellenic Council

In fall 2022, Transylvania welcomed its first historically Black Greek letter organization, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. to campus. In spring 2023, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc. chartered at Transy. These new additions to the fraternity and sorority community expand student outreach and create opportunities for more students to be involved with the fraternity and sorority experience.

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Motto: Achievement in Every Field of Human Endeavor
Fraternity Founded: 1911, Indiana University
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 2022

Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Motto: Greater Service, Greater Progress
Sorority Founded: 1922. Butler University
Chapter Chartered on Campus: 2023

1903 Transy’s first sorority is Chi Omega’s Chi Chapter, the organization was founded at the University of Arkansas in 1895.
1888 Pi Kappa Alpha, first fraternity chartered at Transy in 1888 while under the name Kentucky University. It is altho the 10th Chapter of Pike
Ten nationally recognized chapters
- Alpha Omicron Pi
- Delta Delta Delta
- Delta Sigma Phi
- Kappa Alpha Order
- Kappa Alpha Psi
- Sigma Gamma Rho
- Phi Kappa Tau
- Pi Kappa Alpha
- Phi Mu
- Chi Omega
About 40% of Transy students are affiliated with a Greek-lettered organization.
Membership — Spring 2023
- 213 sorority
- 165 fraternity
3.383 Spring 2023 all-Greek GPA
- All university: 3.396
- All fraternity: 3.258
- All men: 3.291
- All sorority: 3.484
- All women: 3.430
3.357 Fall 2022 all-Greek GPA
- All university: 3.309
- All fraternity: 3.185
- All men: 3.211
- All sorority: 3.499
- All women: 3.385

Frequently asked questions

What Are The Benefits To Joining A Fraternity Or Sorority?

Fraternity and sorority organizations have a foundation of leadership, service, academics and fellowship. Today’s members feel that these organizations provide ample opportunities to engage on and off campus, create lasting friendships and land top-notch leadership positions.

How Do I Register For Recruitment?

Register for Panhellenic sorority recruitment via this link: transy.link/PHA23 Sorority recruitment will take place Sept. 12-17, 2023. Registration opened July 10 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 12.

Register for fraternity recruitment via this link: transy.link/IFC23 Fraternity recruitment will take place Sept. 25-Oct. 8, 2023. Registration opened July 10 and will close at 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 2.

Registration costs $35 and covers a T-shirt, Bid Day breakfast and technology usage. If this fee would prevent you from signing up for recruitment, the College Panhellenic Association and lnterfraternity Council has a process to waive the fee. Please email Candy Rivera Evans at crivera@transy.edu requesting to waive it.

Membership intake for our historically Black fraternity and sorority takes place after IFC and Panhellenic recruitment. First-year students are unable to join in their first semester as NPHC organizations require a semester GPA from Transy, as well as time to acclimate to campus. For additional information on the recruitment process, reach out to Chris Bryant, cdbryant25@transy.edu, with questions about Kappa Alpha Psi — and Alena Jenkins, aijenkins25@transy.edu, with questions about Sigma Gamma Rho.

What Are The Requirements For Joining A Sorority Or Fraternity?

If you participate in Panhellenic recruitment, you will have a recruitment counselor called a Rho Gamma. A Rho Gamma is a member of a Panhellenic organization who is disaffiliated from their chapter during recruitment. Rho Gammas are impartial, unbiased recruitment resources. They are trained on how to best support you as you progress through recruitment. You will meet your Rho Gamma during recruitment orientation.

What Is A Rho Gamma?

How Much Does This Membership Cost?

For all fraternities and sororities, membership dues support the chapter’s operational expenses, social functions and national fees. New members can expect to pay higher dues during their first year due to new member and initiation fees, badge cost and such. Some chapters offer payment plans and some even offer scholarship opportunities to help make membership affordable. A detailed membership breakdown for sororities is given to each potential new member during recruitment.

President Messages

Well, hello there! First and foremost, welcome! On behalf of the Panhellenic community, we’re so happy to have you here at Transy! I hope you are very excited to start this new season of your life. Transy has countless opportunities for you to grow academically as well as socially, and I hope you’ll take full advantage of everything the university has to offer! While your education is of the utmost importance, I encourage you to branch out and create strong connections with fellow students through our wonderful organizations.

For this year’s Panhellenic formal recruitment, our executive council wanted to highlight a “come as you are” based recruitment. We all understand that recruitment and sorority life can be intimidating, and the media can portray it in a negative light. However, I want to preface this by saying sorority life at Transy is what you make it! We’re all one Panhellenic community that supports and uplifts each other in every way possible. Our values-based recruitment process is designed to highlight your personal values, as well as the chapters’ values, to help you find your home. We truly believe that, no matter what you look like or what you wear, you are welcome in this community. We would also like to stress the importance of the efforts being made within the Panhellenic EC to support justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. Everyone, regardless of (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status or religion, belongs here. You belong here. We as an executive council want you to know that you are valued, your feelings are valid and your voice will be heard.

With recruitment quickly approaching, I would love for you to consider registering and see what our four phenomenal chapters have to offer, even if it’s something you never thought you could see yourself doing. I personally never thought I would join a sorority, since I never saw anyone that looked like me; however, I now recognize that registering and joining a chapter was one of the best decisions I could’ve made. I’ve met so many wonderful individuals and received such wonderful experiences through this process. It truly did change my life for the better. I hope you consider registering! I am so excited to meet you all, and I’ll see you on campus in the fall!

Jasminne Johnson
jfjohnson24@transy.edu | 502.382.8830
President, Panhellenic Council
Class of 2024

Hello All!

I am extremely excited and proud to say welcome to Transylvania! This is such a special time in your life, and I hope you truly get to experience everything that is available to you! At Transy, we have an assortment of clubs and student groups: the choir, student government, athletics, fraternity and sorority life, etc. Because there are so many options, everyone can find something that suits them best. Whether sports, playing an instrument or pursuing interests in becoming a student leader, Transylvania has something to offer. I encourage everyone to branch out and try new things when they arrive. College is a unique experience in all of our lives when and where we truly are able to find out who we are as a person and we can begin to realize our potential. College is a place where you will meet your friends for life, future colleagues and just connections as a whole.

I believe the best and most effective way to do this is to be a part of fraternity and sorority life here at Transylvania. The friends you will make, not just in the fraternity you join, but along the way to joining one, will last a lifetime. This experience has done wonders for me, and I believe that it can do the same for you. Joining a fraternity is a very personal matter, and it is not done lightly. Here at Transylvania, we have four different IFC fraternities that will fit your own personal mold. All the fraternities on campus value academics above all else. All the fraternities finished with above a 3.0 GPA average with many of the members being on the dean’s list. The fraternities on campus participate in many extracurricular activities such as philanthropy events, intramural sports and campus events. Philanthropy events are especially important to our chapters on campus because it gives them an opportunity to give back to the community that they appreciate so much. Fraternity and sorority life provides an opportunity for young men and women to step into a leadership role and helps build the building blocks that will lead to a successful life.

Going through recruitment can be a tough decision, I know it was for me. I came to Transy only knowing one person. I didn’t know anyone in my classes, and being that my freshmen year was during COVID, I wasn’t afforded many opportunities to meet many people. This all changed when recruitment happened. I was able to actually meet with people and talk with different leaders on campus and in the chapters. After this, I was able to find the people that best matched me and my personality. Going through recruitment was one of the best decisions of my life; it has afforded me so many opportunities and experiences that I would not have been able to have if I did not go through it. I have met my friends for life and people that I truly can call my brothers. As president of IFC, I want to encourage each of you to reach out to me or any member of the executive board with questions or concerns you may have. Recruitment is about meeting new people, having fun and finding opportunities. Welcome to Transylvania!

Will Fries
wdfries24@transy.edu | 859.757.6364
President, lnterfraternity Council
Class of 2024

Sorority Recruitment

SEPTEMBER 12: ORIENTATION

During orientation, you will receive a detailed schedule of recruitment, meet your Rho Gamma, and learn more about the recruitment process. Registration closes at 11:59 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 13 & 14: INTRO NIGHT

Round one will be fully in person and give each new member the opportunity to meet all the chapters.

SEPTEMBER 15: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT NIGHT

Round two will introduce you to each chapter’s involvement with the local and national philanthropies. You will attend a maximum of three chapters.

SEPTEMBER 16: PREFERENCE NIGHT

Round three will allow you to get to know a maximum of two chapters intimately.

SEPTEMBER 17: BID DAY

Bid Day is the day that invitations to join a chapter are distributed. After receiving bids, you will join your chapter for sisterhood activities.

Fraternity Recruitment

SEPTEMBER 25: IFC KICK OFF & ORIENTATION

During orientation, you will receive a detailed schedule of recruitment and learn more about the recruitment process.

SEPTEMBER 26: TENT NIGHT

You will have the opportunity to interact with each chapter in Back Circle. Fraternity chapters will host different activities in order to get to know the potential new members (PNMs).

SEPTEMBER 27: CHAPTER SHOWCASE

During chapter showcase, you will receive a short presentation from each fraternity. This will give you a chance to learn about each organization’s values, events, philanthropy and new member education programs.

SEPTEMBER 28 – OCTOBER 3: ON/OFF CAMPUS EVENTS

You will be free to attend events with fraternities in which you are interested. You will be able to talk with members of each organization and learn more about each fraternity. These events also give the fraternity a chance to learn more about the PNMs.

OCTOBER 4-7: FORMAL SMOKER EVENTS (INVITE ONLY)

You will have the opportunity to attend fraternity smokers. Each smoker is planned to give you the most information possible about the fraternities. This will also be a chance to meet chapter leaders and alumni.

OCTOBER 8: BID DAY

Bid Day is the day that invitations to join a chapter are distributed. After receiving bids, you will join your chapter for brotherhood activities where restrictions permit.

Anti-hazing Statement

Hazing is strictly prohibited by transylvania university and all fraternities & sororities

Hazing is defined as an act that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or that destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with or as a condition for continued membership in an organization/group. Participation or cooperation by those being hazed does not excuse the violation. Failing to intervene to prevent and/or failing to discourage and/or failing to report those acts may also violate this policy.

Such activities and situations may include, but are not limited to: paddling in any form, excessive fatigue, physical or psychological shocks, kidnaps, degrading, humiliating or fear-provoking games or activities, forced alcohol consumption, late work sessions interfering with scholarship, menial tasks and any other activity that is not consistent with the ideals and purposes of the student organization, or the regulations and policies of Transylvania. Sanctioning will be decided in conjunction with the appropriate inter/national office and may include loss of campus recognition.

Contact

Candy Rivera Evans
Assistant Director of Campus Engagement
crivera@transy.edu