Southwestern is home to six national sororities and four national fraternities. Founded on the principles of academic achievement, leadership, community service and life-long friendships, our Greek community has nearly 500 members—approximately one-third of the university’s student population.
The Interfraternity Council (male groups) and National Panhellenic Conference (female groups) mainly practice deferred recruitment, which takes place in January, to give new students a chance to get settled, make friends and adjust academically before making a commitment to a Greek organization. Our National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations normally holds open rush at the beginning of the fall and spring semester. Our National Pan-hellenic Council Sorority begins the membership process through an official rush period that is determined by the South Central Regional Director.
Chapter Comparisons
| Chapter | Year Founded at SU | Year Founded in US | Colors | Philanthropy | Core Values | Motto |
Cost per Semester * |
Housing Cost per Semester ** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Delta Pi (Sorority) | 1907 | 1851 | Azure Blue & White | Ronald McDonald House Charities | Sisterhood, Service, Knowledge, Character | We Live for Each Other | $545 | No Housing |
| Alpha Kappa Alpha (Sorority) | 2015 | 1908 | Salmon Pink & Apple Green | Community Service | Sisterhood, Service, Scholarship | By Culture and By Merit | $250–$420 | No Housing |
| Alpha Xi Delta (Sorority) | 1992 | 1893 | Light Blue, Dark Blue & Gold | Kindly Hearts Initiative | Sisterhood, Service, Knowledge, Leadership | The Pen is Mightier than the Sword | $608 | No Housing |
| Delta Delta Delta (Sorority) | 1911 | 1888 | Silver, Gold, & Cerulean Blue | St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital | Friendship, Self-Sacrifice, Truth | Steadfastly Love One Another | $420 | No Housing |
| Kappa Delta Chi (Sorority) | 2010 | 1987 | Pink & Maroon | American Cancer Society | Unity, Honesty, Integrity, Leadership | Lead with Integrity, Unite through Service | $250 | No Housing |
| Zeta Tau Alpha (Sorority) | 1906 | 1898 | Turquoise Blue & Steel Gray | Breast Cancer Awareness & Education | Service, Responsibility, Loyalty, Humility, Authentic, Leadership, Learning, Growth, Love | Seek the Noblest | $523 | No Housing |
| Kappa Alpha (Fraternity) | 1883 | 1865 | Crimson & Old Gold | Muscular Dystrophy Assoc. | Brotherhood, Leadership, Knowledge, Excellence, Reverence, Gentility |
Dieu et les Dames – God & the Ladies |
$675 | $4,403 |
| Kappa Sigma (Fraternity) | 1886 | 1869 | Red, Green, & Gold | Military Heroes Campaign | Fellowship, Leadership, Scholarship, Service |
Bononia Docet – Bologna Teaches |
$900 | $1,625 |
| Phi Delta Theta (Fraternity) | 1886 | 1848 | Blue & White | Live Like Lou Foundation (ALS) | Friendship, Sound Learning, Rectitude |
Eis aner oudeis aner – One Man is No Man |
$965 | $2,817 |
| Pi Kappa Alpha (Fraternity) | 1910 | 1868 | Garnet & Old Gold | Boys & Girls Club of Georgetown | Friendship, Love, Truth | Once Pike, Always a Pike Courage to Be More | $700 |
$3,903 |
* Cost is not a primary factor students use when deciding which group to join. It is provided here in an effort to be transparent.
** All students pay for housing so housing costs are not additional when compared to a non-fraternity student. Cost figures updated as provided.
SOUTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
Fraternity and Sorority Life News
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Greek Life Good News, Sept. 2024
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Greek Life Transparent & Affordable on Costs
At Southwestern, we believe that the cost of membership in a fraternity or sorority is well worth the investment. When the return on investment includes not only the social support and connection in college, but also the network of friends and brothers/sisters for the rest of one’s life, the few thousand additional dollars is often worth it.
One of the Most Important Decisions at SU
The best kept secret of becoming part of the community at Southwestern is to join a sorority or fraternity. In an era where Greek Life is often negatively stereotyped in the national media, at Southwestern, our fraternities and sororities are some of the most historic, affordable, inclusive and supportive places for real belonging that exists. The variety within Greek Life at Southwestern guarantees that any student interested in real connection and a lifetime of sisterhood/brotherhood will find it.
President Trombley encourages Greek Life membership
“Fraternity and sorority members currently constitute 30% of our student body. I hope you will please consider joining one of our Greek organizations this year. The Southwestern University Greek Life experience is unlike any I have seen in my travels around the nation. I think you will find that some of Southwestern’s finest students are involved in our sororities and fraternities and they are excited to welcome students into their close-knit communities.”
Research demonstrates impact of fraternity membership on post-graduate income
CNBC published an article called, “Here’s how much more money you could make just from joining a frat” in which they summarized a study from researchers at Union College who found that “going Greek raises your income by 36% down the line. The academic cost, meanwhile, is a small one: a 0.25 point drop in GPA on the traditional 4-point-scale. In other words, you might graduate with a 2.75 GPA while your classmate who didn’t pledge ends up with a 3.00. But if he makes $75,000 a year, you could expect to make $102,000.”
Oldest Historically African American Fraternity Scouts Southwestern
Alpha Phi Alpha, the first intercollegiate Greek-letter fraternity established for African-Americans, explores Southwestern students’ interest in a chapter.
