About Fraternity and Sorority Affairs
The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs is committed to furthering student development through fraternity and sorority involvement. OFSA expects and is committed to supporting excellence within the fraternity and sorority community. Through values-based education coupled with community building and scholarship fraternities and sororities provide a forum for the co-curricular development of a student. Fraternity and sorority life at the University of Rochester includes learning, leadership development, building an inclusive community, and providing personal development and lifelong friendships.
Learning and Leadership Development
At the University of Rochester individuals own their education; learning is not the property or responsibility of social groups. Fraternities and sororities respect the educational goals of each individual by providing programs which address individual members’ interests, as well as monitoring and modifying fraternity/sorority time commitments which may interfere with academic pursuits, among other practices. Fraternities and sororities support “real learning,” which reflects the shift from memorization to conceptual understanding. Real learning is reached through exploration and information gathering, reflection, discussion, evaluation, and informed decision making. Learning requires time management, engagement with campus resources, and involvement in the larger College community of scholars.
Fraternities and sororities acknowledge that their members have multiple identities and interests and support and nurture these identities. Many of the top student leaders on campus are affiliated with a sorority or fraternity. Leadership is encouraged by supporting and promoting individuals’ search for purpose and passion. Chapters encourage their members to attend training and to participate in hands-on experiences through service and leadership positions in the group and in the greater student community. Being in a Greek-lettered organization provides practice in, and the context of, leadership. Service as an officer or as a committee chair provides expert training for participation in all kinds of business and civic responsibilities. The University community continues to look to the fraternal system to provide outstanding student leaders as well as many strong alumni.
Building an Inclusive Community
UR fraternities and sororities support the university understanding of community. They build a strong inclusive community through relationships and partnerships with diverse student groups and community organizations, both in The College and beyond campus, in an atmosphere of trust, cooperation, and respect. UR fraternities and sororities identify opportunities for involvement on campus and within the Rochester community. Community service provides important career experiences and helps individuals develop a sense of responsibility, self-discipline, and self-respect.
UR fraternities and sororities encourage individuality while celebrating the diversity of their membership. Providing the chance to interact with students who differ in college majors, hometowns, cultures, or creeds creates an excellent opportunity for one to develop pride in membership and a challenge to "live beyond one's self" in an inclusive community.
Personal Development and Friendship
Being part of a group experience rounds out your college experience. UR fraternities and sororities sponsor events for their members to enjoy, ranging from monthly get-togethers to semester formals. The rituals of sororities and fraternities, the common experiences, the sharing of ideas, the bond of sisterhood and brotherhood, and the search for goals provide a common ground for the rich experience of lifetime friendship.
For more information, please view the 
OFSA Guide.