Fraternities & Sororities in Providence
Build Lifelong Connections
Find your people, build your leadership skills and make an impact through JWU’s Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) community. You’ll have opportunities to grow personally, academically and professionally while working alongside peers who support and challenge you along the way.
JWU’s Providence Campus is home to six fraternities, five sororities and two social fellowships. While each organization is nationally or internationally affiliated, JWU’s Student Engagement office oversees the FSL community on campus.
What will you do in JWU Providence fraternities and sororities?
Fraternity and sorority members are always busy on campus and in the community. Here are some of the ways students get involved.
Complete Outreach & Service
Being a member of an fraternity or sorority means always being ready to lend a hand, and focusing on community outreach as much as high scholastic achievement.
Activities include:
- Chapter study hours
- Peer tutoring and counseling
- Philanthropic events, sponsored collectively by the FSC community throughout the year
- Special scholarships and awards
Attend Campus Events
Fraternities and sororities also participate in many social, service and university-sponsored events. These include Homecoming & Family Weekend, Greek Week, JWU Service and social events with other FSL organizations, including Meet the Greeks, dances and awards banquets.
Adhere to Core Values
Being a member of a fraternity or sorority is about making lasting friendships, committing to a common set of ideals and enhancing your personal development. It’s also about being part of a brotherhood and sisterhood where individuals share common core values.
Friendship: As a member of a fraternity or sorority, you’ll meet students from disparate backgrounds and all corners of the globe. Together, you’ll explore new interests, learn new skills and forge friendships that will last a lifetime.
Scholarship: FSL organizations encourage and develop high scholastic achievement. Strong academics are encouraged through peer tutoring, counseling, special scholarships and chapter study hours.
Leadership: You’ll develop leadership skills that will benefit you long after graduation. You’ll learn practical skills like coordinating events, managing budgets, running effective meetings and motivating others. You may also hold office on an executive board, participate in committees or represent your chapter on campus boards and governing councils.
Philanthropy: One of the advantages of being a part of a sorority or fraternity is the opportunity to help others in need. FSL organizations sponsor many philanthropic and service events that benefit campus, city and statewide organizations.
Go Greek
How to Join
Being a member of a fraternity or sorority at JWU Providence is about making lasting friendships, committing to a common set of ideals and enhancing your personal development.
If you are interested in learning more:
- Research the local and inter/national headquarter website(s).
- Talk to people who are involved in fraternities and sororities on campus.
- Attend events sponsored by the Fraternity & Sorority Council (FSC).
Contact elizabeth.zmarlicki@jwu.edu with any questions.
Membership Requirements
To be eligible for membership, you must:
- Have a minimum of a 2.5 cumulative GPA (from JWU or another accredited college or university)
- Be enrolled as a full-time student
- Have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours (from JWU or another accredited college or university)
Recruitment
- The Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Pan-Hellenic Council (PC) conduct a more formalized recruitment every term.
- The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the United Cultural Council (UCC) conduct recruitment and/or intake all year.
Fraternity or sorority membership is a contractual agreement. When you join, you assume many financial obligations and it is important to be aware of these obligations and take them into consideration. During recruitment, a potential member should ask members about financial obligations and payment options. Each organization sets its own fees and the payment schedules.
The first term of membership is usually the most expensive due to many one-time fees (headquarter fee, initiation fee, etc.). All organizations are willing to work with their members on an individual basis to create payment plans if necessary. These financial obligations do not include every expense for a member. Additional expenses (t-shirts, jackets, etc.) may occur and expectation of these expenses will be communicated by the organization.
For specific financial information before or during recruitment, direct your questions to the organization of interest. You can also contact Elizabeth Zmarlicki, director of student engagement, at 401-598-2086.
The following organizations are not recognized by JWU Providence, and do not have any rights and privileges to operate as an organization. Please contact Student Engagement if you have any information related to student participation in activities for the following organizations:
- Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority
- Alpha Chi Rho Fraternity
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
- Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
- Kappa Sigma Fraternity
- Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
- Phi Sigma Kappa Fraternity
- Phi Sigma Phi Fraternity (PSP)
- Phi Sigma Sigma Fraternity (PSS)
- Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc.
- Sigma Pi Fraternity
- Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority
- Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity (Teke)
- Theta Phi Sigma Christian Sorority, Inc.
- Zeta Beta Tau Fraternity (ZBT)
Fraternities and sororities are groups of individuals of similar interest bonded together by common goals and aspirations. These bonds are created through ritual in which members participate. Rituals are based on common principles such as honor, friendship, truth and knowledge. Each group works to instill and support these ideals in their members through their everyday activities.
Some fraternities and sororities organize a formal process of meeting people and making friends. This process is called recruitment. Recruitment introduces prospective members to the FSL community and gives unaffiliated students the chance to learn what makes fraternities and sororities unique organizations. Students who wish to participate in the recruitment process are not required to join any organization. Recruitment is a time to see what fraternities and sororities can offer you and to meet members of the chapter as well as alumni/ae.
The recruitment process usually happens at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters.
Gain a support group that will help transitioning to college life significantly easier
Cultivate friendships that will last a lifetime
Access resources to help encourage and achieve academic goals
Develop leadership skills with hands-on opportunities to practice and lead
Maximize involvement on campus and in the community
Serve the community through active participation in community service projects
Network with alumni to develop priceless career opportunities
Maximize the college experience while having a lot of fun
New members experience a period of orientation and education once they express interest in joining a fraternity or sorority. During this time, you will participate in weekly meetings to learn about the university and their chapter. Other events include leadership retreats, community service projects, and activities designed to build friendships among the members of the newer and older members of chapter. Both the state of Rhode Island and Johnson & Wales University have a zero-tolerance policy for hazing and take any allegations seriously. If you feel that you or someone you know is participating in inappropriate activities as a result of membership in a fraternity or sorority, you are encouraged to contact Student Involvement & Leadership or Campus Safety & Security.
Participating in any worthwhile activity always requires an investment of one’s time. A fraternity or sorority is like any co-curricular activity; it does require a time investment. Students in the FSL community have the opportunity for a well-rounded college experience that includes learning how to balance academics, work, campus involvement and social commitments.
Each chapter is self-supported through dues charged to all members. In the first year of membership, a few one-time expenses are assessed. After those initial payments are made, your child’s expenses will be their regular dues. Each chapter has a different dues structure and thus finances will vary between chapters.
Johnson & Wales University’s Providence Campus does not support housing for fraternities or sororities. Many chapter members live together, either on or off campus, but these accommodations are not sanctioned by the university nor their inter/national headquarters.