For Families: University Affiliation

Fraternity & Sorority Life’s affiliation process helps ensure that students are joining university-recognized organizations that offer safe fraternity experiences, provide well-established programs and resources, and are officially connected to the university.   

Affiliated fraternities are organizations where students can find a sense of belonging, have fun at social events and make lifelong friendships. 

What families need to know 

As students learn about ways to get involved at CU Boulder and different organizations they could join, it's important to know that not every fraternity is affiliated with the university.  

Affiliated fraternities are recognized organizations that adhere to university policies and provide a structured environment that focuses on student safety, accountability and success. Unaffiliated fraternities may not offer the same level of oversight and resources, which could impact the overall fraternity experience.  

Students should be well-informed about the status of the fraternity they are considering joining, taking into account the benefits of affiliation to ensure they make a safe and fulfilling choice. 

Affiliation history 

In 2005, to increase the safety for new and current members, CU Boulder asked fraternity organizations to move recruitment to the spring and welcome live-in house directors. The fraternities on campus at the time chose not to agree with those requirements and disaffiliated with the university. A decade later, after giving time and space for reform and education, CU Boulder re-invited fraternities in the area to affiliate with updated conditions. In 2017, Phi Delta Theta became the first fraternity to affiliate with campus under the new process. 

Today, 10 fraternities are affiliated with the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) as members of the CU Interfraternity Council. Those fraternities have signed a recognized social Greek organizations (RSGO) agreement that includes provisions to follow all university policies. The agreements also outline certain conditions aimed at increasing safety, accountability and student success.  

Fraternities in the Boulder area that have not signed a RSGO agreement are not affiliated with or recognized by CU Boulder. 

Benefits of affiliation

University resources 

  • Use of university name within branding guidelines.
  • Free access to campus resources like Title IX/Sexual Assault Prevention training, alcohol education, finance training, etc.
  • Office space for council leaders through the University Memorial Center.
  • Ongoing advising, education and resources for new member education, Greek values, fiscal management, recruitment, risk management, program planning and more through Fraternity & Sorority Life.
  • Involvement on campus committees and working groups. 

Recruitment 

  • Any recruitment activities, such as tabling and rush events, may be held on campus.
  • Assistance in recruiting faculty/staff advisor(s), if requested.
  • Campus-supported recruitment efforts, including interactions with potential members through new student welcome programs, fairs, open houses, etc.
  • Inclusion on the CU Boulder website and access to CU Boulder social media avenues. 

Social 

  • Chapters may hold as many social events as they want each semester.
  • FSL can provide event planning support for CUIFC chapters.
  • Chapters can register parties through Off-Campus Housing and Neighborhood Relations’ party registration system.
  • Sober event monitors are required at any event where alcohol is present. 

Campus events 

  • Chapter meetings may be held on campus.
  • Fundraisers/philanthropy events on campus are free or discounted.
  • Ability to prominently advertise on campus for recruitment and special events.
  • Access to support through the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life and other offices on campus. 

Greek relations 

  • Participate in Homecoming (fall) and Greek Weeks (spring) with sororities in the CU Panhellenic Council.
  • The ability to officially partner with sororities and other campus groups on events and programs. 

Dues 

  • CUIFC dues are $25 per member per semester. 


Affiliated fraternities

Students who are interested in joining a university-affiliated fraternity can register for CUIFC recruitment. 

CU Boulder recommends that students interested in participating in Greek life join an affiliated organization. There are fraternities in Boulder that are not recognized by the university. A chapter may voluntarily or involuntarily choose to not be affiliated. These organizations do not receive the benefits that affiliated fraternities receive. FSL has invited the fraternities in the Boulder community that are not members of CUIFC to affiliate with the university and follow all university policies. 

Unaffiliated fraternities

“Unaffiliated fraternities” are organizations that are not recognized on campus and therefore do not follow the policies, processes and regulations required of registered social Greek organizations at CU Boulder. CU Boulder staff do not supervise, support or advise unaffiliated organizations, and they are not under the university’s purview. Given their proximity to campus and recruitment efforts, these organizations may appear as though they are connected to CU Boulder; however, they have elected not to be recognized by the university or have been suspended or prohibited from doing so for a variety of reasons.  

Unaffiliated fraternities do not have the privileges of the university’s recognized social Greek organizations (RSGOs). For those currently not suspended or banned from campus, we welcome the opportunity to engage in the reaffiliation process. Such recognition provides organizations with the support, resources and recognition of CU Boulder. 

We strongly discourage students from joining these organizations and participating in their events. Current unaffiliated fraternities include: 

  • Acacia
  • Alpha Delta Phi
  • Alpha Epsilon Pi   
  • Alpha Gamma Omega
  • Alpha Phi Delta
  • Alpha Kappa Lambda   
  • Alpha Sigma Phi
  • Alpha Tau Omega
  • Delta Kappa Epsilon
  • Kappa Alpha Order
  • Kappa Sigma
  • Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
  • Phi Kappa Psi
  • Phi Kappa Tau   
  • Pi Kappa Alpha
  • Pi Kappa Phi
  • Sigma Alpha Epsilon   
  • Sigma Nu
  • Sigma Pi
  • Sigma Tau Gamma
  • Tau Kappa Epsilon
  • Theta Chi
  • Theta Xi
  • Zeta Beta Tau