Greek Life

Greek Life Mission Statement

The YCP Greek Life community will promote and achieve academic excellence, commit to meaningful service and engagement with others, support leadership development and career preparation opportunities, and foster lifelong friendships between members and organizations.

Greek Life Vision Statement

The York College of Pennsylvania Greek Life community will foster an inclusive community, develop lifelong leaders with the abilities to advocate for justice, and produce well-rounded citizens who contribute to positive change within a global society.

Greek Life Values

Lifelong Learners | Leadership | Unity | Citizenship

Panhellenic, Interfraternity, and Multicultural Greek Councils

Through your Greek Life membership with a fraternity or sorority, you are part of one of the Greek governing boards. The College Panhellenic Council (CPH) is the governing body for the five Panhellenic sororities. The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is the governing body for the six North American Interfraternity Conference fraternities. The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) is the governing body for the three National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organizations and the one National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) sorority. Each council meets regularly with chapter delegates to discuss important issues and seeks to provide quality educational programs, service opportunities, and social events for the member chapters. Council officers work closely with campus administrators to address Greek Life concerns and issues on campus.

Greek Life Academics

Our Greek Life community understands that the reason students are here at YCP is to continue and enhance their education. All Greek members must maintain a minimum 2.5 grade point average in order to be in good standing with the College and their organization. Additionally, each organization has an elected officer or chair who is responsible for implementing the organization’s academic plan. As a community, the Greeks strive to achieve an average GPA above all campus averages. Semesterly Greek Grade Reports are published through the Office of Student Activities and Orientation. 

Order of Omega

Order of Omega is a Greek honor society dedicated to the promotion and recognition of the highest standards of academics and leadership within fraternal men and women. It is our belief that these individuals exemplify the characteristics of integrity, empathy, and dedication necessary for the advancement of not only the Greek community but global communities as well. By joining the Order, these exemplary individuals combine their talents and knowledge to empower the aforementioned communities. To this end, the Order of Omega corresponds with the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council in hosting our annual Greek Excellence Awards for the Greek community and serving in various community outreach opportunities.

Members of this organization are selected each semester by special invitation only. Eligible inductees are juniors and seniors who have exemplified high standards in the areas of scholarship, leadership, and involvement within their respective organizations, and within the fraternity and sorority community, campus, and local community. Members are selected from the fraternity and sorority community who hold above a 3.0 grade point average.

The purpose of the chapter standards is to ensure the minimum York College standards are being met by each recognized chapter.

YCP requires the following:

• Maintain a chapter cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher
• Host or attend one academic program per year
• Complete a minimum of one community service project each semester
• Complete five community service hours per member each semester
• Complete a minimum of one philanthropy project each semester
• Raise $5 per member for philanthropy each semester
• Meet with the chapter's on-campus adviser once a month
• Meet with Greek Life adviser once a month
• Complete and submit accurate rosters, reports, and forms each semester through the OSAO
• Complete Student Senate requirements for all recognized student organizations each semester
• Host one alumni event per year
• Host or attend one hazing prevention program each semester, with 75% of the chapter in attendance
• Host or attend one alcohol/substance awareness event each semester, with 75% of the chapter in attendance

All expectations will be reviewed at the end of every semester. Failure to meet expectations and/or standards will result in sanctions determined by campus administration. Failure to meet chapter expectations and standards for multiple semesters within two years will result in a Chapter Review meeting. 

In addition to holding chapters accountable, the assessment forms are meant to allow the chapters to reflect on the semester's programs and give valuable assessment/feedback to the Office of Student Activities and Orientation.

Fraternities and sororities, as well as other student organizations or athletic teams, are prohibited from hazing. It may come as a surprise to you that it is not only a violation of College policy but hazing is also prohibited in the state of Pennsylvania and a violation of state law.

Categories of Hazing

York College defines three categories of hazing.

• Subtle: Actions against accepted UIW conduct, behavior, and good taste
• Harassment: Anything causing mental anguish or physical discomfort to the new members
• Dangerous: Anything that endangers the life of a new member or has the potential to cause bodily injury

Reporting Hazing

Hazing should be reported directly to any of the following sources: Campus Safety at 717.815.1403 or via email at campussafety@ycp.edu or through the LiveSafe App, the Director or Assistant Director of Student Activities and Orientation at GreekLife@ycp.edu, Dean of Student Development and Campus Life Robbie Bacon at rbacon2@ycp.edu, or a trusted faculty or staff member.

Reports can also be submitted anonymously; however, it may hinder swift and accurate action, so direct reporting is encouraged.

Our policies are designed to promote the values of Greek organizations, and groups that do not meet those expectations and standards undermine the work and commitment of our other chapters. Our office continues to take a strong stance against the Student Code of Conduct violations and will continue to hold our Greek organization accountable for their actions.

As a means to increase transparency, we are publishing conduct updates about the Greek Life organizations at YCP. Information is reported on this website if a student organization is found accountable through the Student Conduct process, the Chapter Review process, and/or a National Headquarter investigation. For details on the Greek Life policies, please visit the YCP Student Handbook.

Statement on Unrecognized Organizations

Some organizations that were once recognized fraternities or sororities on campus may continue to operate underground despite having lost recognition from the College. These organizations have had their recognition revoked by the institution for various reasons, including things such as hazing, alcohol, and drug abuse, risk management violations, and failure to comply with the College policies and expectations. These organizations have in almost all cases had their charter suspended by their international organization because they were not upholding fraternal values and were engaging in risky behaviors that endangered members and other students.

The following organizations have lost College recognition in the past five years:

• Alpha Delta Gamma (suspended indefinitely; charter removed by National Headquarter)
• Theta Phi Alpha, previously recognized as Omega Chi (suspended through spring 2019, charter suspended by National Headquarter)
• Alpha Chi Rho, previously recognized as Kappa Sigma Rho (suspended indefinitely; charter removed by National Headquarter)
• Alpha Sigma Tau (charter dissolved by National Headquarter through spring 2022)

Students are prohibited from affiliating with any organization or group that has had its College recognition withdrawn. By affiliation means joining, rushing, pledging, accepting an offer of membership; residing in facilities owned, rented, or controlled by the group; or being involved in an activity that would normally be associated with being a member of the group.

Please contact the Greek Life adviser if you have any questions about whether or not the organization you want to join is recognized or if you would like more information.

Sororities and Fraternities are Greek letter organizations found on campuses across the country that are rooted in tradition and values that may offer many opportunities to network, promote academics, contribute to the community/campus through service and philanthropy projects, and help develop valuable professional/leadership and life skills.

Coming to college and living on your own for the first time requires many students to adjust greatly so they feel like they can fit in. Joining Greek life creates a "home away from home" experience and numerous opportunities throughout and after college. Along with creating brotherly/sisterly bonds with lifelong friends, one can gain both valuable professional and life skills from being in a Greek organization. Greek life provides an opportunity to make college one of the best experiences of your life. 

There are five National Panhellenic Council (NPC) sororities, one National Association of Fraternal Latino Organizations (NALFO) sorority, two National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) sororities, one NPHC fraternity, and six North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) fraternities on campus. All of the organizations are intentionally different, and we strive to offer a place for everyone to feel at home. By exploring the many options we have, we hope you find a place where you can thrive as a sister or brother, student, and human.

Recruitment is an opportunity for a potential new member to meet all the organizations on campus. First-year students are allowed to go through recruitment after their first completed full-time semester, earning at least a 2.5 GPA.

For fraternities, the recruitment process is less formal as they are responsible for hosting their own events for potential members.

For sororities, the recruitment process is a lot more structured. Throughout this process, they learn about each sorority’s sisterhood and philanthropy while meeting multiple sisters and establishing personal connections. After this process, a sorority hands out bids and if a student accepts her bid, the acceptance is revealed on bid day.

Check out our recruitment page above to learn more!

Family members play an important role in their student’s college experience, but often aren't sure what their role is or should be. From our experience working with many students and their families, here are a few tips to help you if your student is considering Greek Life:

• The decision to join: Some students will choose to join a Greek chapter and others will choose not to. If your student's decision is different than you thought it would be, talk to him or her and try to understand his or her perspective.
   
• Support during the process: Students need support throughout the recruitment/intake process and new member education. Be supportive and learn as much as you can about Greek Life by asking your student questions as they learn about the chapters at YCP. If your student decides to pursue membership in a fraternity or sorority, be there, be supportive, and allow your student room to make their own decisions.
   
• Be involved: Greek Life is a great networking opportunity for students and family members alike. Many organizations hold family events, where parents, siblings, and guests can meet their students' new sisters or brothers. 
   
• Keep in contact: Keep the Greek Life Staff contact information on hand if you have any questions or concerns about Greek Life at YCP. We are happy to talk with you concerning any questions or concerns!