Residences
Because Colgate's residential education program requires that all students (except for a small number of seniors approved to live off campus) live in university-owned and -managed facilities, our fraternities and sororities are residential. Each organization occupies a free-standing house on Broad Street.
Fraternities
Fraternities at Colgate include Beta Theta Pi, Delta Upsilon, Phi Delta Theta, Phi Kappa Tau, and Theta Chi. The fraternities collaborate through the Interfraternity Council in support of the following:
We, the men of the various national and local fraternity chapters at Colgate University, set forth this constitution and bylaws in order to promote harmonious relationship and coordination among the member chapters; to foster friendly relations between member chapters and the faculty, administration, and trustees of the University; and to represent and promote the interests of the member chapters in the affairs of the University.
We do ordain and establish this constitution as binding in letter and spirit upon our activities and privileges.
Learn more about our Fraternities below.
Beta Theta Pi, Beta Theta Chapter
Founded at Colgate on November 25, 1890
Founded nationally on August 8, 1839 at Miami University
The five core values espoused by Beta Theta Pi are cultivation of the intellect, responsible conduct, mutual assistance, integrity and trust, with a mission statement to "develop men of principle for a principled life.
To find out more information about Beta Theta Pi please visit their website.
Delta Upsilon, Colgate Chapter
Founded at Colgate on November 21, 1865
Founded nationally on November 4, 1834 at Williams College
The four founding principles of Delta Upsilon are the advancement of justice, the promotion of friendship, the development of character, and the diffusion of liberal culture. The organization's vision is that Delta Upsilon is the premier men’s fraternity committed to Building Better Men for a global society through service, leadership development and lifelong personal growth for our diverse membership.
To find out more information about Delta Upsilon please visit their website.
Phi Delta Theta, New York Zeta Chapter
Founded at Colgate on March 30, 1918
Founded nationally on December 26, 1848 at Miami University
The three core values of Phi Delta Theta are the cultivation of friendship among its members, the acquirement individually of a high degree of mental culture, and the attainment personally of a high standard of morality or referred to by chapter members as friendship, sound learning and rectitude. The mission of the organization is to “celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and, through encouragement, values, example and brotherhood, empower every brother to exceed his personal expectations.”
To find out more information about Phi Delta Theta please visit their website.
Phi Kappa Tau, Alpha Upsilon Chapter
Founded at Colgate on May 22, 1937
Founded nationally on March 17, 1906 at Miami University
The three core values are learning, leading, and serving, with a mission to ”champion a lifelong commitment to brotherhood, learning, ethical leadership and exemplary character.”
To find out more information about Phi Kappa Tau please visit their website.
Theta Chi, Iota Chapter
Founded at Colgate on March 17, 1912
Founded nationally April 10, 1856 at Norwich University
The creed of Theta Chi is “I believe in Theta Chi, its traditions and its ideals. Born of sturdy manhood, nurtured by resolute men, ennobled by high and sacred purpose, it has taken its place among the educational institutions of America as a promoter of knowledge, an advancer of culture and a builder of character.It inspires true friendship: teaches Truth, Temperance and Tolerance, extols virtue, exacts harmony, and extends a helping hand to all who seek it.I believe in the primacy of Alma Mater; in the usefulness of my Fraternity, in its influence and its accomplishments and I shall do all in my power to perpetuate its ideals, thereby serving my God, my country and my fellow-man.”
To find out more information about Theta Chi please visit their website.
Sororities
Sororities at Colgate include Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Phi Beta, and Kappa Kappa Gamma. The College Panhellenic Council, the governing board for Colgate’s sororities, follows the following beliefs and values (as stated by the National Panhellenic Conference):
We, as Undergraduate Members of women’s fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities.
We, as Fraternity Women, stand for service through the development of character inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.
Learn more about our Sororities below.
Delta Delta Delta, Gamma Sigma Chapter
Founded at Colgate in 1996
Founded nationally on November 27, 1888 at Boston University
The three core values espoused by Delta Delta Delta are truth, self-sacrifice, and friendship, with a stated purpose to “ establish a perpetual bond of friendship among its members, to develop a stronger and more womanly character, to broaden the moral and intellectual life, and to assist its members in every possible way.”
To find out more information about Delta Delta Delta please visit their website.
Gamma Phi Beta, Delta Tau Chapter
Founded at Colgate on November 14, 1981
Founded nationally on November 11, 1874 at Syracuse University
The four core values of Gamma Phi Beta are love, labor, learning and loyalty with a mission to “build confident women of character who celebrate sisterhood and make a difference in the world around us”
To find out more information about Gamma Phi Beta please visit their website.
Kappa Kappa Gamma,Zeta Rho Chapter
Founded at Colgate on March 19, 1988
Founded nationally on October 13, 1870 at Monmouth College
The six core values of Kappa Kappa Gamma are truth, connection, respect, optimism, knowledge, and trailblazing. The mission of the organization is one of “which seeks for every member throughout her life bonds of friendship, mutual support, opportunities for self-growth, respect for intellectual development, and an understanding of and an allegiance to positive ethical principles.
To find out more information about Kappa Kappa Gamma please visit their website.
Recruitment
The formal Interfraternity Council (IFC) Fraternity Recruitment process and the formal PanhellenicCouncil (CPH) Sorority Recruitment process take place in the Fall semester of each year. During the formal recruitment process every organization will participate in recruitment activities. During the spring semester chapters may choose to participate in approved informal recruitment events based on chapter capacity.
As a reminder, only sophom*ores and above are eligible to join a Fraternity or Sorority. Students should check their class year on Banner to ensure their eligibility for the Formal Recruitment process.
Fall 2024 formal recruitment will take place in September 2024. Please visit the Fraternity and Sorority Recruitment page for more information about eligibility requirements and recruitment registration!
Goals of Fraternities and Sororities
Colgate’s fraternities and sororities seek to enhance the student experience, mold thoughtful and engaged adults, and provide lifelong connections and have set the following goals:
- Intellectual development: Promoting reflection and making connections between academics and the broader world through dialogue, idea exchange, and interactions with multiple stakeholders.
- Citizenship, leadership, and service: Developing a lifelong commitment to civic engagement by contributing to greater social awareness and positive social change; engaging in direct service at Colgate and in surrounding communities; facilitating opportunities to develop ethical and articulate leaders.
- Diversity, access, and inclusion: Treating all members of the Colgate community fairly, welcoming students of all backgrounds, collaborating with other groups, encouraging expression of various beliefs/backgrounds within group, promoting discovery of new perspectives, and organizing events with broad appeal.
- Personal growth, health, and wellness: Expressing a commitment to members’ well-being and structuring programs to support a healthy lifestyle.
- Accountability: Instilling pride and responsibility for the organization’s actions, upholding a clear mission, providing high expectations and transparency, and promoting opportunities for meaningful reflection.
- Lifelong connections: Encouraging social interaction among members, facilitating continuity and evolution of the organization, honoring and developing constructive traditions, fostering peer learning, and connecting with active alumni mentors and resource
