Fraternity and Sorority Life
Bradley’s first fraternity was established in 1898, just one year after the founding of the institution. Since that day, Bradley University’s fraternity and sorority community has been working to develop friendships, foster personal growth, and give back to our community.
Today, BU is the home to 30 fraternity and sorority chapters, which are represented by 4 governing councils. In addition, Bradley hosts two Greek honors societies that recognize outstanding men and women in our fraternity and sorority community.
Chapters
Bradley is currently home to thirty national fraternities and sororities. These chapters are split into four councils:
The Interfraternity Council, also known as IFC, is the governing body for fourteen fraternities on campus. In addition to overseeing the fraternities, The Interfraternity Council plans and promotes various activities in collaboration with the Panhellenic Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. These programs include Greek Week, National Hazing Prevention Week, Greek 101, and all-Greek philanthropy and service events. Representatives from The Interfraternity Council also sit on the Fraternity and Sorority Programming Board that assist with programming for the entire fraternity and sorority community.
The fraternities that make up the Interfraternity Council are:
Alpha Epsilon Pi (ΑΕΠ)
Sigma Phi Epsilon (ΣΦΕ)
Looking to reach out to IFC? Contact them at [email protected] or find them on Instagram at @IFCBradley
The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) at Bradley is currently composed of seven of the nine historically African-American international fraternities and sororities. The purpose of the Bradley University National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is to promote unity among the affiliate Black Greek Organizations; to assist students and organizations in attaining their educational and cultural objectives; to serve as a forum for the respective organizations mutual interests; and to encourage affiliate members to concern themselves with programs that will meet the needs of the university and surrounding communities.
While having their own distinct heritages, the organizations of NPHC offer insight and a unique perspective into this understanding and the development of Black socioeconomic and cultural life.
NPHC hosts annual events such as the Welcome Week Yard Show, Black and White Party, Black Greek 101 as well as educational events such as the Harbor Institute’s “All We do is Step, Stroll and Hop? What is a Black Greek?” Black History Month Interactive program as well as other service based activities.
In addition to overseeing its member chapters, the NPHC plans and promotes various activities in collaboration with the other councils. These programs include Greek Week and all-Greek philanthropy and service events. Representatives from the NPHC also sit on the Fraternity and Sorority Programming Board that assist with programming for the entire fraternity and sorority community.
Looking to reach out to NPHC? Contact them at [email protected] or at their Instagram page @bu.nphc.
The Panhellenic Council, also known as PHC, is the governing body of six sororities and women’s fraternities on campus. In addition to overseeing the sororities, the Panhellenic Council plans and promotes various activities in collaboration with other councils. These programs include Greek Week, National Hazing Prevention Week, Greek 101, and all-Greek philanthropy and service events. Representatives from the Panhellenic Council also sit on the Fraternity and Sorority Programming Board that assist with programming for the entire fraternity and sorority community.
Looking to reach out to PHC? Find them on Instagram @BradleyPanhel
The Multicultural Greek Council represents three multicultural and historically Latino/a fraternities and sororities.
In addition to overseeing its member chapters, the MGC plans and promotes various activities in collaboration with the other councils. These programs include Greek Week and all-Greek philanthropy and service events. Representatives from the MGC also sit on the Fraternity and Sorority Programming Board that assist with programming for the entire fraternity and sorority community.
The organizations of the Multicultural Greek Council:
Epsilon Alpha Chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.
Sigma Lambda Gamma historically a national latin based multicultural sorority founded on April 9, 1990, at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa by five collegiate women who wanted an organization to empower Latina women. The sorority focuses on five principles: academics, community service, cultural awareness, social interaction, and morals and ethics. Having expanded to more than 100 universities in less than 20 years, membership in the organization is open to any woman who meets the membership requirements, regardless of religion, race, or nationality.
Alpha Pi Chapter of Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.
Alpha Psi Lambda is the nation’s First and Largest Co-Ed Latino Fraternity: Alpha Psi Lambda was established on February 11, 1985 at The Ohio State University and has grown to 31 chapters and 8 colonies in 16 states with over 3,000 members. They believe in the concept Familia to create a support network for their members while creating the real world experience of working with all genders.
Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Inc. Affiliate Group
Sigma Lambda Beta is the largest historically Latino based fraternity in the United States. Founded on April 4, 1986 at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa the primary purpose of Sigma Lambda Beta is to promote Latino culture as well as standards of excellence in morality, ethics, and education. The four key principles that serve as pillars to this purpose are Brotherhood, Scholarship, Community Service, and Cultural Awareness.
Looking to reach out to PHC? Find them on Instagram @BradleyPanhel
Shared Core Values
Fraternity and Sorority Life is one of the many opportunities for involvement and growth available for students at Bradley University. Fraternities and sororities enhance the education of the whole person – intellectually, socially, and spiritually. Bradley fraternities and sororities strive to achieve the greatest potential from each member and reach common goals together. Fraternity and Sorority Life offers opportunities for community service, philanthropy, academic success, leadership, campus involvement, personal growth, social interaction, and the development of lifelong friendships.
Greek 101
Hosted every semester by the Interfraternity and Panhellenic, Greek 101 provides an opportunity for new members to learn more about our entire fraternity and sorority community, along with the expectations placed upon them as a member of a fraternity or sorority at Bradley University. This entirely peer-facilitated workshop serves to educate new members, instill the shared values of our organizations, and develop trust and communication between members of different chapters and councils.
Grand Chapter
The Grand Chapter Accreditation and Awards Program is a chance for our chapters to evaluate their performance annually, compare themselves to the other chapters on campus, and make improvements for the future. At the end of the year, our community comes together to recognize the individuals and chapters who have excelled over the course of the previous year.
Part of the Grand Chapter Accreditation is creating different ways to educate and teach individual chapter membership on skills they need. This could be done through a program developed by the chapter, or it could be supporting another organization, office or department on campus by attending an event outside the fraternity and sorority community. This balance allows for a wide variety of educational opportunities throughout the year.
The fraternity and sorority community’s interests and concerns go beyond the confines of campus life. Sororities and fraternities sponsor a multitude of activities each year to impact the local community and to earn money for their philanthropies or identified causes. Chapters also donate their time to national and local community service projects.
The opportunities you will encounter in fraternity and sorority life to help benefit the community are endless. The desire and ability to give of yourself is one of the most important qualities you will develop while being part of a fraternity or sorority.
Fraternities and sororities foster academic success through a variety of support and incentive programs. Each fraternity and sorority maintains its own scholarship standards and programs, and sets minimum standards for membership that are consistently above the standard that Bradley University sets for all students. Simply put, it takes a higher level of academic achievement to be a fraternity or sorority member.
Chapters ensure high levels of success by providing resources such as:
- Scholarships: awarded by individual chapters to their members for scholastic success
- Mentoring Programs: to engage older and newer members in academic mentoring
- Academic Advising: including help with choosing classes and professors
- Chapter Study Files: to aid members in sharing class notes and reviewing for exams
Through all the hard work and dedication each chapter gives to Bradley, they are also classified as Social organizations. That stems beyond the stereotypical party scene. One of the most enjoyable parts of joining a sorority or fraternity involves making new friends and forming bonds that will last long after college. You will not only learn to live with others, but, through sharing the same experiences, environment, and interests, you will develop a special closeness to those around you. As friends, they will share your successes, happiness, and occasional evenings just relaxing at the chapter house. Brotherhood and sisterhood mean more than wearing Greek letters, attending meetings, and going to social events.
Block Party
Every year on Move-In Day, Bradley fraternities and sororities host the biggest party of the year, Block Party. Fredonia Avenue is blocked off, and transformed into a sea of people, food, drinks, and entertainment. Block Party is open to the entire campus, free to everyone, and alcohol free.
Fright & Fun on Fredonia
Every year the Bradley University Fraternity and Sorority Community hosts a safe trick or treating event for children in Peoria called Fright and Fun on Fredonia Avenue. Dozens of organizations set up tables on Fredonia Ave. with either a Halloween related activity for the children to do, or candy for them to take as they go up and down the block. Activities consist of many different kinds of things from face paint to pumpkin decorating. Additionally, a costume contest is held with prizes for the best costumes.
Greek Week
Panhellenic, IFC, and NPHC Chapters come together for a week of competition, spirit and service in the fall semester. Activities include field games, trivia contests, service events, philanthropic fundraisers, and the biggest event of all, Panfrasing! Panfrasing is our dance competition that is the highlight of the week.
Membership in a fraternity or sorority provides numerous opportunities for leadership development. As a chapter officer or coordinator of a chapter event, you can further develop your leadership skills. Each chapter has committee structures that allow you to be involved in many operational aspects of the sorority or fraternity. You will also be encouraged by your chapter to become involved in campus-wide activities. Fraternity and Sorority Life is a great springboard to campus involvement, including Student Senate, special-interest clubs and organizations, pre-professional organizations, Activities Council at Bradley University, intramural sports, and many others. Striking a balance between academics and social activities is an important part of college life. Involvement in both areas provides a well-rounded college experience, which is an appealing asset to potential employers.
Fraternity and Sorority Programming Board (FSPB) works hard to provide students with opportunities to continue their development as leaders and members of the Bradley Community. They host an annual speaker on a relevant topic, as well as support semester retreats for current leadership.
Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values
In collaboration with Bradley University, Fraternity and Sorority Life, Panhellenic Council, Interfraternity Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council, students are sent annually to the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values Central Conference . Here students connect with other leaders across the nation, listen and engage in critical thinking and thought provoking speakers as well as continuing to gain insight on updated best practices as a student leader on campus.
Emerging Greek Leadership Retreat
Hosted annually, this retreat is for upcoming student leaders who wish to gain tools, resources and insight into navigating upcoming elections within chapters and councils. This staff and peer facilitated workshop allows students to build confidence to move forward in their leadership skills, learn effective ways to communicate their vision and work alongside other peers to continue moving the fraternity and sorority community.
Order of Omega
The purpose of Order of Omega is to recognize our top leaders within the greek community. This honor society initiates men and women across all chapters and councils who attain high standards of leadership, academics and overall impact on the Bradley University community.
Greek life plays a integral role in carrying out Bradley’s commitment to inclusion and belonging for all students.
Membership
IFC fraternities have the ability to recruit 365 days a year. If you are interested in joining a fraternity, all you have to do is make friends with some fraternity men. Be social, meet the members, go to some events, then decide if that chapter is right for you. If you are interested in joining a fraternity, but aren’t sure where to get started, please contact IFC at [email protected].
All interested students are to complete the Bradley University Fraternity and Sorority Interest Form before they can be officially invited to join a chapter.
Book Scholarship
Awards two $500 scholarships in the fall to any incoming freshman or sophomore students. Recipients will be determined based on involvement in extracurricular activities and leadership roles. Open to non-members.
Membership Scholarships
The Alpha Sigma Chapter is the Theta Xi Foundation’s largest scholarship fund of all Theta Xi Chapters nationwide. Our chapter and alumni are committed to assisting hard working students pay for school. Last year we distributed $49,975 in scholarships, which is more than any other fraternity on Bradley’s campus. We currently offer the following scholarships:
- Janus Scholarship
Awards $3,125 annually to five members living in the house with a GPA greater than 3.0. - The Blue Iris Scholarship
Is a four year scholarship issued each fall. It awards two $1,200 semester scholarships to newly initiated brothers with a cumulative GPA greater than 3.25. Scholarship winners can renew it for up to 8 semesters. - The Gary Gleespen Scholarship
Awards $500 each year to three brothers showing a high level of academic performance or improvement.
Beta Pi chapter of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI)
- AAA Scholarship
The Foundation’s Triple A is a $250 scholarship available to any newly initiated member of Phi Gamma Delta who earn a 3.2 GPA during their pledging semester. Beta Pi graduates gratefully double this scholarship for a total of $500. We are lucky enough to have had many members be awarded this for achieving academic excellence. - Jason R. Preston Scholarship
The Jason R. Preston Beta Pi Scholarship is given each year to the qualified undergraduate member of the Beta Pi Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta who best exemplifies the saying “Scholarship, Fraternity, Self.” This scholarship is a total of $1750 awarded once a year at Beta Pi’s annual Frank Norris Pig Dinner.
Students who are interested in joining a historically African American fraternity or sorority at Bradley University will participate in the intake process for the individual organization that they are interested in joining.
Each organization conducts membership intake according to their own national and local guidelines, however, these standards vary and intake activities are held at times determined by each organization. Most NPHC organizations require a minimum grade point average and a minimum number of earned college credit hours in order to participate in intake.
For more information on how to join, please contact Cory Bosco.
The Epsilon Kappa Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc.
- Has successfully completed one semester
- Is a full-time student taking courses leading to his first academic degree
- Is in good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average of not less than 2.5 on a 4.0 grade point scale
- Is of good character
- Is registered to vote, if eligible and qualified
- Is sponsored by a member in good standing from the chapter in which the candidate is seeking membership
- Is recommended by a member in good standing from the chapter in which the candidate is seeking membership
For more information contact: [email protected].
The Zeta Phi Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.:
- Must be a full time student at Bradley University
- Minimum 2.5 GPA (cumulative)
- At least second semester first-year student
For more information contact: [email protected].
The Epsilon Eta Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.:
- High ethical and moral standards
- Full Time student prior and present term at Bradley University
- Minimum 2.5 GPA (cumulative and semester)
- Good standing with the university
For more information contact: [email protected].
The Theta Epsilon chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc:
- Currently enrolled at Bradley
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
- Minimum 24 credit hours completed
For more information contact: [email protected].
The Phi Delta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc:
- Currently enrolled at Bradley University
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
- Minimum 12 credit hours completed
- Must maintain 2.5 after intake to stay active
For more information contact: [email protected].
The Iota Kappa Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.:
- Currently enrolled at Bradley
- Must be a full-time student who has successfully completed at least 12 hours of coursework
- Must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Is of good moral character
- Is registered to vote, if eligible and qualified
The Zeta Mu chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc:
- Currently enrolled at Bradley
- Minimum 2.5 GPA
- At least one semester completed in college
For more information contact: [email protected].
The Panhellenic community has shaped the lives of many women and we hope to have a part in your college journey. Getting into the nitty-gritty of things, Registration for Panhellenic Formal Recruitment will begin in the summer and continue until Formal Recruitment starts. During the formal recruitment process, potential new members are introduced to each chapter and get the opportunity to find an organization that is the right fit for them. Through a process of mutual selection, the potential new member narrows down her options over the course of four rounds. It is the goal of Bradley’s Panhellenic Council to find a home for every woman interested in joining a sorority.
Registration for Panhellenic Formal Recruitment will begin in the summer and continue until Formal Recruitment starts. If you are interested in joining a Panhellenic sorority, please register or contact Brooke Dagefoerde.
Check out The Sorority Life for more information on becoming a sorority woman.
Students who are interested in joining a multicultural fraternity or sorority at Bradley University will participate in the intake process for the individual organization that they are interested in joining.
Each organization conducts membership intake according to their own national and local guidelines, however, these standards vary and intake activities are held at times determined by each organization. Most organizations require a minimum grade point average and a minimum number of earned college credit hours in order to participate in intake.
For more information on the intake process, please contact each organization individually.
For more general information, please email Cory Bosco.
Organizations:
The Alpha Pi chapter of Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.
- Must be 18 years of age
- Not be a member of any other social fraternity or sorority
- Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5/4.0 (3.5/5.0) (Rounding of GPAs is not permitted)
- Must be enrolled in at least six credit hours
- Must not be a first-semester first-year student (Can submit an application for the following semester)
The Epsilon Alpha chapter of Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc.
- Full-time student
- Minimum of a 2.6 cumulative GPA based on a four-point scale
The affiliate chapter of Sigma Lambda Beta Fraternity, Inc.
- Full time Student at Bradley University.
- Minimum GPA is 2.5.
- Incoming first-year students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
- Professional Interview required.
FAQs for Parents
Nobody likes stereotypes. The best way to get to know a fraternity or sorority is to get to know its members. Fraternities and sororities are made up of a wide variety of undergraduate students, along with thousands of Alumni, each one a unique individual. At the heart of every fraternity or sorority is a set of value-based principles related to the development of character, leadership, scholarship, service, and lifelong friendship.
Alcohol abuse is unhealthy and inconsistent with fraternity and sorority ideals. All fraternities and sororities are expected to obey all federal, state and city laws in addition to any university, fraternity/sorority, and governing council policies regarding consumption of alcohol. In addition, fraternities and sororities are not allowed to purchase alcohol for members or guests. Chapter social events are expected to be registered and adhere to current best practices for safer environments with alcohol present. In addition, fraternities and sororities host numerous alcohol-free social activities like moonlight bowling, dinner exchanges, and lip sync contests. Students who choose not to drink will know that it’s ok and feel comfortable with their decision.
Students often find it difficult to manage their time when moving from the highly structured high school environment to the freedoms of college. Fraternities and sororities assist in that transition by offering scholarship programs which may include study partners, mandatory study hours, and time management workshops. Your student can access and network with members who already know how to use campus resources like the library, tutors, computer labs, study lounges, and academic advisors.
New fraternity and sorority members all experience a period of orientation to the organization that they choose to join. During this time, they will participate in leadership retreats, community service projects, weekly meetings to learn about the university and the fraternity/sorority history, and activities designed to build friendships among members of the organization. ALL FRATERNITY AND SORORITY POLICIES FORBID HAZING and all chapters are committed to a membership education period which instills a sense of responsibility and commitment in the new members.
Hazing is something that we do not tolerate; if you have concerns about your student being involved in any hazing activities, please contact the Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life.
Fraternity and sorority members are elected to officer positions and manage the day-to-day operations of the organization. These officers are assisted by members serving on committees and by Alumni serving as advisors. All of our fraternities and sororities are also part of an (inter) national organization that offers support, advice, and direction through paid professional staff members and regional volunteers. Professional university staff is also employed to assist, educate, and monitor the activities of fraternities.
Each fraternity and sorority is self-supported through dues charged to all members. In the first year of membership, a few one-time expenses are assessed. After those initial payments are made, your student’s only expense will be semester dues. Housing is offered for nineteen of the twenty-nine fraternities and sororities on campus, and a variety of payment plans are usually offered.
Participating in any worthwhile activity always requires an investment of one’s time. Research has shown that involved college students are more likely to graduate, and they report greater satisfaction with their college experience. Through their fraternity and sorority involvement, your student will learn how to balance academics, work, campus involvement, and social commitments.
Fraternities and sororities utilize a process commonly referred to as “recruitment” or “intake” in order to meet prospective members. Recruitment offers non-affiliated students an opportunity to meet a number of other people on campus and learn what each group has to offer.
