Back Fraternitats d'estudiants Catalan Fraternities und Sororities German Κολεγιακές και πανεπιστημιακές αδερφότητες Greek Frataroj kaj fratinaroj Esperanto Hermandad estudiantil Spanish انجمن‌های برادری و باشگاه‌های زنان Persian Veljeskunnat ja sisarkunnat Pohjois-Amerikassa Finnish Fraternité étudiante French אחווה (אקדמיה) HE फ्रटर्निटी व सोरोरिटी Hindi

Fraternities and sororities

Not to be confused with Honor society, Fraternity (disambiguation), or Fraternal organisation.

In North America, fraternities and sororities (Latin: fraternitas and sororitas, 'brotherhood' and 'sisterhood') are social clubs at colleges and universities. They are sometimes collectively referred to as Greek life or Greek-letter organizations, as well as collegiate fraternities or collegiate sororities to differentiate them from traditional not (exclusively) university-based fraternal organizations and fraternal orders that have historically acted as friendly societies or benefit societies to certain groups unlike the ones mentioned in this article. [1][2]

Generally, membership in a fraternity or sorority is obtained as an undergraduate student but continues thereafter for life by gaining alumni status. Some accept graduate students as well, some also provide honorary membership in certain circumstances.[1][2] Individual fraternities and sororities vary in organization and purpose, but most - especially the dominant form known as social fraternities and sororities - share five common elements:

  1. Secrecy
  2. Single-sex membership
  3. Selection of new members based on a two-part vetting and probationary process known as rushing and pledging
  4. Ownership and occupancy of a residential property where undergraduate members live
  5. A set of complex identification symbols that may include Greek letters, armorial achievements, ciphers, badges, grips, hand signs, passwords, flowers, and colors

Fraternities and sororities engage in philanthropic activities, host parties, provide "finishing" training for new members such as instruction on etiquette, dress, and manners, and create networking opportunities for their newly graduated members.

Fraternities and sororities can be tax-exempt 501(c)(7) organizations in the United States.

Fraternities and sororities have been criticized for practicing elitism and favoritism, discriminating against non White students and other marginalized groups, conducting dangerous hazing rituals, and facilitating alcohol abuse. Many colleges and universities have sought to reform or eliminate them due to these concerns, but these efforts have typically been met with intense controversy.[3][4][5][6]

  1. ^ a b For example, Phi Kappa Tau and Alpha Xi Delta both have provisions in their respective Constitutions that they can accept graduate students as well as undergraduates. 2016. ISBN 978-0-306-13192-9. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  2. ^ a b "Alpha Xi Delta" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 3, 2017. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  3. ^ "Fraternities & Sororities at Queen's: Your Thoughts - Alma Mater Society - Queen's University Student Government". October 5, 2012.
  4. ^ "Fraternities and Sororities | Queen's Encyclopedia".
  5. ^ "The pledge against fraternities". March 31, 2017.
  6. ^ "How Queen's rejected the rise of fraternities". June 3, 2019.

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