Greek Life

Scholarship. Service. Leadership. Friendship. For a lifetime.

Greek Life is a part of the classic college experience, with over 240 years of history and thousands of chapters across the country, Greek Life allows its members to find a second home at college. Hosting five North American Interfraternity Conference Interfraternity fraternities, four National Panhellenic Conference sororities, two National Pan-Hellenic Council organizations, and one National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations sorority, York has plenty of opportunities for students to go Greek.

These values-based social organizations promote scholarship, service, leadership, and friendship, and are heavily involved in the York College community. Rooted in tradition, values, and principles, membership in a Greek organization is an empowering and rewarding addition to the college experience. Students can find their home not only on York College’s campus but with other chapters across the country.

The Greek Life community at York College of Pennsylvania is committed to active service, social responsibility, and unity - collaborating on major programs such as Bras Across Campus, Safe Halloween, National Hazing Prevention Week, and Greek Week.

The governing councils are the Interfraternity Council and the College Panhellenic Council. Follow them on Instagram at @ifc_ycp and @panhellenicycp for a glimpse at the Greek Life community at York College.

YCP Greek Life Orientation Leaders during fall orientation 2018

Greek Life Ambassadors

RecruitmentJoin Greek Life and you're joining a family.

Greek organizations seek new members each semester to become a part of a brotherhood or sisterhood that lasts far beyond your four years at York. Students may choose to participate in formal spring recruitment or informal fall recruitment. In order to join a fraternity or sorority on campus, interested students must have taken at least one semester of classes and have an established GPA.

Sororities: Delta Phi Epsilon; Phi Mu; Phi Sigma Sigma; Sigma Delta Tau; Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority, Inc
Fraternities: Kappa Delta Rho; Phi Kappa Psi; Phi Sigma Phi; Tau Kappa Epsilon; Zeta Beta Tau; Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.

Recruitment Sororities Fraternities

All about the Greek community

Mission, vision, and values

Mission, vision, and values

Greek Life Mission Statement
The YCP Greek Life community will promote and achieve academic excellence, commit to meaningful service and engagement with others, support leadership development and career preparation opportunities, and foster lifelong friendships between members and organizations.

Greek Life Vision Statement
The York College of Pennsylvania Greek Life community will foster an inclusive community, develop lifelong leaders with the abilities to advocate for justice, and produce well-rounded citizens that contribute to positive change within a global society.

Greek Life Values
Lifelong Learners | Leadership | Unity | Citizenship

Panhellenic and Interfraternity Councils
Through your Greek Life membership with a fraternity or sorority, you are also becoming part of one of the Greek governing boards. The College Panhellenic Council (CPH) is the governing body for the five sororities. The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the governing body for the five fraternities. Each council meets regularly with chapter delegates to discuss important issues and seeks to provide quality educational programs, service opportunities, and social events for the member chapters. Council officers work closely with campus administrators to address Greek Life concerns and issues on campus.
Academics

Academics

Greek Life Academics
Our Greek Life community understands that the reason students are here at YCP is to continue and enhance their education. All Greek members must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average in order to be in good standing with the College and their organization. Additionally, each organization has an elected officer or chair who is responsible for implementing the organization’s academic plan. As a community, the Greeks strive to achieve an average GPA above the all campus averages. Semesterly Greek Grade Reports are published through the Office of Student Activities and Orientation.

Spring 2020 Greek Life Grade Report

Fall 2019 Greek Life Grade Report

Spring 2019 Greek Life Grade Report

Order of Omega

Order of Omega is a Greek honor society dedicated to promotion and recognition of the highest standards of academics and leadership within fraternal men and women. It is our belief that these individuals exemplify the characteristics of integrity, empathy, and dedication necessary for the advancement of not only the Greek community but global communities as well. By joining the Order, these exemplary individuals combine their talents and knowledge to empower the aforementioned communities. To this end, the Order of Omega corresponds with the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council in hosting our annual Greek Excellence Awards for the Greek community and serving in various community outreach opportunities.

Members of this organization are selected each semester by special invitation only. Eligible inductees are juniors and seniors who have exemplified high standards in the areas of scholarship, leadership, involvement within their respective organization, and within the fraternity and sorority community, campus, and local community. Members are selected from the fraternity and sorority community who hold above a 3.0 grade point average.
Chapter Standards
Greek Life Chapter Standards

The purpose of the chapter standards is to ensure the minimum York College standards are being met by each recognized chapter.

YCP requires the following:
- Maintain a chapter cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
- Host or attend 1 academic program per year
- Complete a minimum of 1 community service project each semester
- Complete 5 community service hours per member each semester
- Complete a minimum of 1 philanthropy project each semester
- Raise $5 per member for a philanthropy each semester
- Meet with chapter's on-campus adviser once a month
- Meet with Greek Life adviser once a month
- Complete and submit accurate rosters, reports, and forms each semester through the OSAO
- Complete Student Senate requirements for all recognized student organizations each semester
- Host 1 alumni event per year
- Host or attend 1 hazing prevention program each semester, with 75% of the chapter in attendance
- Host or attend 1 alcohol/substance awareness event each semester, with 75% of the chapter in attendance
All expectations will be reviewed at the end of every semester. Failure to meet expectations and/or standard will result in sanctions determined by campus administration. Failure to meet chapter expectations and standards for multiple semesters within two years will result in a Chapter Review meeting.

In addition to holding chapters accountable, the assessment forms are meant to allow the chapters to reflect on the semester's programs and give valuable assessment/feedback to the Office of Student Activities and Orientation.
Hazing Prevention
York College's Hazing Prevention Efforts

Fraternities and sororities, as well as other student organizations or athletic teams, are prohibited from hazing. It may come as a surprise to you that it is not only a violation of College policy, but hazing is also prohibited in the state of Pennsylvania and a violation of state law.

Categories of Hazing
York College defines three categories of hazing.
- Subtle: Actions against accepted UIW conduct, behavior and good taste
- Harassment: Anything causing mental anguish or physical discomfort to the new members
- Dangerous: Anything that endangers the life of a new member or has the potential to cause bodily injury
Reporting Hazing
Hazing should be reported directly to any of the following sources: Campus Safety at 717.815.1403 or via email at campussafety@ycp.edu or through the LiveSafe App, the Director or Assistant Director of Student Activities and Orientation at GreekLife@ycp.edu, the Dean of Students at merkle@ycp.edu, or a trusted faculty or staff member.

Reports can also be submitted anonymously, however, this may hinder swift and accurate action, so direct reporting is encouraged.

Conduct

Greek Life Conduct

Our policies are designed to promote the values of Greek organizations, and groups that do not meet those expectations and standards undermine the work and commitment of our other chapters. Our office continues to take a strong stance against the Student Code of Conduct violations and will continue to hold our Greek organization accountable for their actions.

As a means to increase transparency, we are publishing conduct updates about the Greek Life organizations at YCP. Information is reported on this website if a student organization is found accountable through the Student Conduct process, the Chapter Review process, and/or a National Headquarter investigation. For details on the Greek Life policies, please visit the YCP Student Handbook.

Semester/Date	Organization	Violation(s)	Outcome(s)
Fall 2018	Phi Mu sorority	Complicity Deception & Dishonest Disruptive Conduct Reckless Endangerment Hazing	Organization disciplinary probation through 5/31/2020. No fall 2018 or spring 2019 new members. Adviser present at all new member programs for fall 2019. Host an anti-hazing program by March, 2019 with 100% of chapter members in attendance.
Fall 2017	Kappa Delta Phi fraternity	Alcohol distribution Hosting Complicity	Chapter suspension through 3/19/2018. Organization disciplinary probation through 12/31/2018. NHQ risk management program.
Fall 2017	Phi Kappa Psi fraternity	Alcohol distribution Hosting Presence of drugs Public disturbance Complicity Disruptive conduct Physical assault Reckless endangerment	Chapter suspension through 5/31/2018. Organization disciplinary probation through 5/31/2019. Campus mediation program. Membership development plan creation & implementation for 18-19 academic year.
Fall 2017	Sigma Delta Tau sorority	Alcohol distribution Complicity	Organization disciplinary probation through 12/31/2018. Bystander intervention program.
Fall 2017	Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity	Alcohol distribution Disruptive conduct Reckless endangerment	Written warning. Campus mediation program.
September 2017	Alpha Sigma Tau sorority	National Sorority anti-hazing policies	Chapter charter was revoked by the National Sorority for up to five years.
September 2017	Alpha Chi Rho fraternity	Failure to meet Greek Life standards	Chapter was suspended indefinitely by the College for consistently not meeting Greek Life standards and risk management issues.

Statement on Unrecognized Organizations

Some organizations that were once recognized fraternities or sororities on campus may continue to operate underground despite having lost recognition from the College. These organizations have had their recognition revoked by the institution for various reasons, including things as hazing, alcohol and drug abuse, risk management violations, and failure to comply with the College policies and expectations. These organizations have in almost all cases also had their charter suspended by their international organization because they were not upholding fraternal values and were engaging in risky behaviors that endangered members and other students.

The following organizations have lost College recognition in the past five years:

Alpha Delta Gamma (suspended indefinitely; charter removed by National Headquarter)
Theta Phi Alpha, previously recognized as Omega Chi (suspended through spring 2019, charter suspended by National Headquarter)
Alpha Chi Rho, previously recognized as Kappa Sigma Rho (suspended indefinitely; charter removed by National Headquarter)
Alpha Sigma Tau (charter dissolved by National Headquarter through spring 2022)

Students are prohibited from affiliating with any organization or group that has had its College recognition withdrawn. By affiliation is meant joining, rushing, pledging, accepting an offer of membership; residing in facilities that are owned, rented, or controlled by the group; or being involved in activity that would normally be associated with being a member of the group.

Please contact the Greek Life adviser if you have any questions about whether or not the organization you want to join is recognized or if you would like more information.

Greek Life FAQ

What is a sorority/fraternity?

Sororities and Fraternities are Greek letter organizations found on campuses across the country that are rooted in tradition and values that may offer many opportunities to network, promote academics, contribute to the community/campus through service and philanthropy projects, and help develop valuable professional/leadership and life skills.
Why should I go Greek?
Coming to college and living on your own for the first time requires many students to adjust greatly so they feel like they can fit in. Joining Greek life creates a "home away from home" experience and numerous amounts of opportunities throughout and after college. Along with creating brotherly/sisterly bonds with lifelong friends, one can gain both valuable professional and life skills from being in a Greek organization. Greek life provides an opportunity to make college one of the best experiences of your life.

Here are some facts you should consider at Greek Life at YCP from our 2018-2019 annual report:
- The Greek Life community GPA was above the all-campus average for both semesters!
- Over 38% of the Greek Life community were on the campus Dean's List.
- Greeks completed an average 12 hours per member of community service.
- Greeks raised over $18,000 last year for various local and national philanthropies; an average of $47/member!
- Over 62% of Greek members are involved in another YCP club, organization, or program on campus like Residence Life or Orientation.
- Over 215 alumni visited this academic year for various chapter alumni events and reunions.
How many organizations are there on campus?

There are four National Panhellenic Council (NPC) sororities and one National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) sorority and six North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) fraternities on campus. All of the organizations have a different personality and a different grouping of people which really gives everyone a place to fit. By looking into many organizations and trying to get to know people from all of them you will find that there is a place for everyone and that everyone fits somewhere.
What is recruitment and when can I go through?

Recruitment is an opportunity where a Potential New Member gets to meet all of the organizations on campus. First year students are allowed to go through recruitment after their first completed full-time semester, earning at least a 2.5 GPA.

For fraternities the recruitment process is less formal as they are responsible for hosting their own events for potential members.

For sororities the recruitment process is a lot more structured. Throughout this process they get to learn about each sorority’s sisterhood and philanthropy while meeting multiple sisters, establishing some personal connections. After this process, a sorority hands out bids and if a student accepts her bid, the acceptance is revealed on bid day.

Check out our recruitment page above to learn more!
How can families get involved?
Family members play an important role in their students’ college experience, but often times aren't sure what their role is or should be. From our experience working with many students and their families, here are a few tip to help you if your student is considering Greek Life:
- The decision to join: Some students will choose to join a Greek chapter and some will choose not to. If your student's decision is different than you thought it would be, talk to him or her and try to understand his or her perspective.
- Support during the process: Students need support throughout the process of recruitment/intake and new member education. Be supportive and learn as much as you can about Greek Life by asking questions of your student as he or she learns about the chapters at YCP. If your student decides to pursue membership in a fraternity or sorority, be there, be supportive, and allow your student room to make his or her own decisions.
- Be involved: Greek Life is a great networking opportunities for students and family members alike. Many organizations hold family events, where parents, siblings, and guests can have the opportunity to meet their students' new sisters or brothers.
- Keep in contact: Keep the Greek Life Staff contact information on hand if you have any questions or concerns about Greek Life at YCP. We are happy to talk with you concerning any questions or concerns!

Office of Student Activities and Orientation

Iosue Student Union, Room 205
Phone: 717.815.1239
greeklife@ycp.edu

Greek Life

Mission, vision, and values

Academics

Greek Life Chapter Standards

York College's Hazing Prevention Efforts

Greek Life Conduct