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Greek Life

The mission of Greek Life at SUNY Canton is to enhance the quality of student life and promote an atmosphere where chapters and individuals can excel.  We aim to empower current members of the Greek community through advising and educating with purpose, communicating with alums, and cultivating collective partnerships across campus.  We promote and foster the following areas within the Greek community: civic engagement, community relations, service and philanthropic outreach, and personal and organizational accountability.

Fraternities have been a part of SUNY Cantons community since 1912, and sororities since 1918.  Currently, we have six active social Greek organizations (three sororities and three fraternities).  

We invite you to learn more about Greek Life through the Greek Council RooLife page or by contacting the Student Activities Involvement & Leadership Office at 315-386-7315.

Why join a Greek Organization?

It promotes personal growth within a more intimate circle of friends while enrolled in college.  Fraternities and sororities support students who share a common set of ideals, such as academic excellence, character and leadership development, community building, philanthropy, and service.

Additionally, a Greek organization can provide networking opportunities with individuals in their chosen field, frequently providing alum ways to remain involved with the college community.  The ties to Greek life are typically close, so former members may be more inclined to offer advice or even facilitate an internship with their company.

Through Greek Life, students can build their resumes, develop and learn new skills, volunteer within the community, merge social and academic experiences, and make lifelong connections and friendships.

Recruitment

SUNY Canton’s Greek Life encourages an educational and welcoming approach to the recruitment and education of new members.

Recruitment starts at the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters; Greek organizations actively promote their organizations and seek new members.  Typical events for recruitment may include meet and greet programs, game nights, ice breaker activities, and events in the dorms on campus or at Greek residences off campus.  It is recommended that you meet all Greek Organizations before beginning New Member Education.

Bids

On the last day of recruitment, Greek Organizations will offer potential new members a bid (invitation) to start New Member Education.  All potential new members must be approved for New Member Education by the Greek Life Coordinator and complete the mandatory Anti-Hazing training.

New Member Education

New Member Education (NME), also referred to as pledging, is a three to six-week period each semester where students invited by the Greek organizations are educated about the history and mission of the organization as well as have an opportunity to get to know the current members of the organization better.

Membership Eligibility

SUNY Canton students are eligible to participate in NME and become a Greek member if they meet the following requirements:

• Must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00
  • If students are enrolled in the Equal Opportunity Program (EOP), they must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50
• Be at least a second-semester freshman
  • First-semester freshmen are not allowed to participate in New Member Education
• Must be able to fulfill the duties and responsibilities as a Greek member outlined in the Greek Council Constitution

Greek Council

All Greek organizations at SUNY Canton are represented by the organization called Greek Council.  This student-led organization represents all fraternities and sororities chartered by the Student Government Association.  The purpose of this organization is to assist the campus community in the interpretation of current fraternity and sorority life at SUNY Canton, along with providing a means of self-government.  They support and coordinate Greek Life social, charitable, and fundraising events.

The Greek Council is comprised of members and an executive board.  The members of Greek Council consist of students who have been recognized by the fraternities and sororities at SUNY Canton and are in good standing with the college.  The executive board comprises seven student leaders who have also been recognized by the fraternities and sororities at SUNY Canton and are in good standing with the college.  They are nominated and elected by the members of Greek Council.  The executive board positions are as follows:

• President
• Vice President
• Treasurer
• Secretary
• Sergeant of Arms
• Event Planner
• Senator

Greek Organizations at SUNY Canton

Active and Eligible to Recruit New Members

• Alpha Chi Omicron (AXO)
• Alpha Theta Gamma (ΑΘΓ)
• Delta Omega Epsilon Fraternity Inc. (ΔΩΕ)
• Beta Sigma Zeta Sorority Inc. (ΒΣΖ)
• Sigma Omega Epsilon Sorority Inc. (ΣΩΕ)
• Gamma Sigma Zeta Fraternity Inc. (ΓΣΖ)

Inactive

• Delta Kappa Sigma (ΔΚΣ)
• Delta Sigma Tau (ΔΣΤ)
• Kappa Xi Omega (ΚΞΩ)
• Pi Nu Epsilon (ΠΝΕ)
• Upsilon Zeta Iota (ΥΖΙ)

Not Recognized by the College

• Zeta Alpha Phi (ΖΑΦ)