Parent & Family Resources

Our community offers 9 different chapters as options for students interested in joining a fraternity or sorority.

• The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) consists of 5 non-residential chapters founded as culturally-based organizations to support common identities and history. Students do not need to identify as part of a specific culture to join an MGC chapter. Those interested should visit the Multicultural Greek Council page to learn more about the chapters represented in the council, their leadership, and governing documents.
• The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) consists of two non-residential chapters who identify as part of the nine national historically African American Greek lettered fraternities and sororities. Students interested in joining an NPHC organization should visit the National Pan-Hellenic Council page or contact the Fraternity and Sorority Life Team to learn more.
• The Panhellenic Association (PHA) consists of 2 non- residential chapter sororities. Students interested in joining a Panhellenic sorority should visit the Panhellenic Association page to learn more about their leadership team, mission and creed, and governing documents.

For students joining a fraternity or sorority chapter during their first year, membership can aid in their transition into Metropolitan State University of Denver by supporting them in developing brotherhood/sisterhood, enhancing leadership, encouraging academic success, and promoting philanthropy and community service efforts. Students who join a fraternity or sorority often feel as if they have found a home away from home. All members receive academic support, opportunities for leadership and personal growth, and experiences specifically created to provide an opportunity to give back to the community. After graduation, students have access to alumni networks to support their post-college transition.

All fraternity and sorority members experience a period of orientation that lasts on average about 4-8 weeks. During this time, your student and other new members will participate in weekly meetings to learn about the university and fraternity/sorority history and are part of leadership retreats, community service projects, and activities designed to build friendship among new members (also referred to as pledges/associates/candidates) and the initiated members. We encourage students to ask questions of the person responsible for their education to better understand the process of joining.

All fraternities and sororities require an investment of time, including weekly new member meetings (first semester of membership), weekly chapter meetings, participation in chapter and community events including philanthropy and service events, educational programming, and social events. In addition, many members serve on chapter committees or hold leadership positions, which increases the time commitment. However, the time commitment is what your student chooses to invest. Some students put all of their time into the fraternity/sorority, while others spend some time in their chapter and sometime experiencing other opportunities on campus.

There are some required events, but students can generally choose the events in which they’d like to participate. Over 50% of fraternity and sorority members are involved in at least one student organization outside of the fraternity/sorority experience and a majority of fraternity and sorority members also work. If you feel your student is devoting too much time to a fraternity/sorority, talk with them to better understand the required expectations and feel free to contact Fraternity & Sorority Life to discuss concerns. We also encourage students to fully discuss time commitments prior to joining a fraternity or sorority during the recruitment or intake process.

We hope you will learn as much as you can by asking your student questions before and as they join a chapter at MSU Denver. Many groups provide written statements concerning activities, finances, and policies; students should be encouraged to obtain and read this information. We encourage families to participate in family events within the chapter, as you are able to do so. If you have questions about terminology, culture, activities, or organizational standing, don’t hesitate to email the Fraternity and Sorority Life Team at [email protected].

All fraternities and sororities set minimum academic expectations to join and remain a member in good standing of a fraternity or sorority. Chapter scholarship programs are in place to help members succeed in their classes through graduation, including tutoring, study groups, academic skill-building workshops, and incentives. MSU Denver fraternity and sorority members consistently maintain GPAs above unaffiliated students. Please visit the Chapter Reports page to learn more about fraternity and sorority academic success.