Fraternity and Sorority Affairs

National Order of Omega

General Information

The National Order of Omega is a nationally recognized Greek Honor Society whose members, drawn from the fraternity and sorority community, represent outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service. Members have a strong, positive impact both on their own organization and on the entire Greek community. Only 3% of fraternity and sorority members are selected each year, ensuring that members are among the top fraternity and sorority leaders on campus.

The Order of Omega was founded at the University of Miami in the fall of 1959 by a group of outstanding fraternity men, who felt that individuals in the Greek community should be recognized for their service to the fraternity system and the University.

The Chapter of Miami had long desired for their organization to expand to other colleges and universities. The Chapter gave its sanction to Dean Patrick W. Halloran to make initial inquiries and to further grant charters to universities that were accredited and interested in the purpose of The Order of Omega. On February 9, 1967, a Chapter was chartered at the University of Southern Mississippi. There are now over three hundred chapters in the United States with approximately ten additional campuses that are petitioning the national.

Order of Omega Application: Available Soon!

Visit the National Order of Omega Web Site

History

The idea of an honorary for fraternity men at the University of Miami is attributed to Parker F. Enwright, the advisor to fraternities at the time. Enwright was later to accept a position at the University of Pittsburgh. He was also responsible for the founding of the Omega Chapter at the University of Pittsburgh in the spring of 1964.

The original constitution was approved by the Organizations Committee at the University of Miami on April 14, 1959, the recognized founding date.

Since then a Constitution has been constructed to guide the Order's affairs. Chapter charters and membership certificates have been designed. The ritual and regalia, since revised, serve as a foundation upon which this honorary is being built. The Order of Omega voted to become a co-ed organization in the spring of 1977.

Many institutions have inquired concerning membership in the Order. Colonization procedures have been implemented to further the growth of this honorary.

Considering the age of the American college fraternity, the "active honorary" concept is long overdue. There must continue to be a common means by which the most outstanding fraternity men and women can stand united to further the philosophy of the college fraternity.

Purpose of Order of Omega

• To recognize those fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of leadership in inter-fraternity activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment.
• To bring together outstanding fraternity men and women to create an organization which will help to mold the sentiment of the institution on questions of local and intercollegiate fraternity affairs.
• To bring together members of the faculty, alumni, and student members of the institution's fraternities and sororities on a basis of mutual interest, understanding and helpfulness.
• To help create an atmosphere where ideas and issues can be discussed openly across Greek lines and to help work out solutions.

Initiation and Requirements for Membership

To be considered for the Order of Omega, an individual:

• Must be a member of a recognized fraternity or sorority at the University of Rochester for at least one full semester.
• Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.1 or higher (National Requirement).
• Should both achieve academically and participate in co-curricular activities, both Greek and non-Greek.
• Should be an exemplary fraternity or sorority member, demonstrating the Communal Principles of the college and the values of the Fraternity and Sorority Community.

Additionally, candidates are evaluated on their commitment to scholarship, service, and leadership, the core principles of the Order of Omega.

Selection Process:

Applications for membership into the Order of Omega will become available in September. Individuals interested in membership must complete an application and obtain a letter of recommendation from a faculty or staff member. The applications are reviewed by the current members of the Order of Omega. The induction ceremony and reception for new members is held in January.

For more information about the Order of Omega selection process, please contact John DiSarro, Assistant Director, at john.disarro@rochester.edu.

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