Fraternity and Sorority Life
Brotherhood. Sisterhood. Community.
Fraternity and Sorority Life at UNC Asheville is rooted in building a strong, supportive community that fosters connection, belonging, and shared growth. Through involvement in fraternities and sororities, each affiliated with larger international organizations, students form meaningful relationships while developing personally, socially, intellectually, and ethically.
Interested in joining a fraternity or sorority? Email fsl@unca.edu and we will connect you!
At UNC Asheville, our Fraternity & Sorority Life works to:
- Provide education and experience in interpersonal relationships, leadership, group dynamics, and organization development.
- Promote member involvement in co-curricular activities.
- Promote sponsorship of and participation in community service, service learning, and philanthropic projects.
- Promote an appreciation for differences and the development of cross-cultural competencies.
- Advocate for the academic success of all members and for opportunities through which students can integrate in-class and out-of-class learning.
- Support members’ efforts to align actions with espoused organizational mission and values.
Fraternities
Founded in 1845 at Yale University, Alpha Sigma Phi was introduced at UNC Asheville in 2010, receiving its charter and becoming the Zeta Theta Chapter soon after. Their purpose is “to better the man,” and they are committed to doing so without hazing and through their philanthropy, Live Strong. Represented by the phoenix, Alpha Sigma Phi is proud of its re-founding in the early 1900s, and remains active in its expansion efforts, currently offering services and opportunities to over 3,000 undergraduate students and 40,000 living alumni.
Contact Alpha Sigma Phi at alphasig@unca.edu
Follow us on Instagram @alphasigs_unca
Three cadets at the Virginia Military Institute formed the fraternity of Sigma Nu in 1869 in opposition to a witnessed hazing ritual by another institution. The Mu Eta Chapter of Sigma Nu is the oldest fraternity on UNC Asheville’s campus. Since its introduction at UNC Asheville in 1993, Sigma Nu has been very involved in campus events and organizations, including producing seven student body presidents and seven vice-presidents. Sigma Nu’s values are defined by their integrity, brotherly love, truth, and honor. They demonstrate these values through their service to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Contact Sigma Nu at sigmanu@unca.edu
Follow us on Instagram @ sigmanu.unca
Sororities
Gamma Phi Beta is an international sorority that was founded in 1874 at Syracuse University. Gamma Phi Beta is one of the 10 oldest women’s organizations in North America, and the first to use the term “sorority,” meaning sisterhood! Gamma Phi Beta’s mission is to inspire the highest type of womanhood through our core values of love, labor, learning, and loyalty. The Epsilon Psi Chapter at UNC Asheville was established in 1992, and is one of more than 168 chartered collegiate chapters across North America. Gamma Phi Beta seeks to build confident women of character who celebrate sisterhood and make a difference in the world. Through Gamma Phi Beta’s philanthropic work with Girls on the Run, these women aim to build strong girls and act as a positive force in our local community.
Contact Gamma Phi Beta at gammaphibeta@unca.edu
Follow us on Instagram
InterGreek Council
The Inter-Greek Council of UNC Asheville works to see the common goal of supporting all Fraternity and Sorority organizations on campus in pursuing satisfaction of their individual, collective, and organizational needs, setting and enforcing Fraternity and Sorority wide policies, encouraging positive relationships between Fraternities and Sororities themselves as well as the larger community of UNC Asheville, and offering leadership, educational, and social events for all Fraternity and Sorority members. IGC is the governing body of all three organizations and consists of two Co-Presidents, a VP of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and a VP of Communications and Recruitment.
Order of Omega
Order of Omega is a national leadership honor society that was founded in 1959 at the University of Miami. Order of Omega has over 500 chapters in North America that recognize students for their scholarship, leadership, character, and service to the Greek, campus and local community. UNC Asheville is home to the Rho Psi Chapter of Order of Omega. We strive to recognize those fraternity men and women who have attained a high standard of scholarship and leadership in interfraternal activities, to encourage them to continue along this line, and to inspire others to strive for similar conspicuous attainment.
Policies & Procedures
All members of fraternities and sororities at UNC Asheville are required to abide by federal and state law, in addition to policies and procedures outlined in the UNC Asheville Student Code of Responsibility, including:
- Alcoholic Beverage Policy
- UNC Asheville’s Hazing Policy
- North Carolina Statutes on Hazing
- Policies Prohibiting Sexual Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
All fraternities and sororities, as a group and their individual members, must also abide by the policy and procedure set by their national organization’s offices and affiliated governing bodies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Joining a fraternity or sorority is a process of mutual selection. We encourage interested students to visit all of our chapters to find the best fit. At UNC Asheville, fraternities and sororities host structured recruitment periods at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters, yet are able to recruit and extend bids for membership at any time throughout the academic year.
The process of extending bids after fall recruitment for sororities is referred to as Continuous Open Bidding, or just COB. To receive the most updated information on fraternity and sorority recruitment, visit the FSL Office in Highsmith 216, or email us at fsl@unca.edu.
Members of fraternities and sororities are responsible for paying semesterly dues. Chapter dues vary by organization. Each chapter offers payment plan options to its members and has local and national scholarships available. All three of our organizations are required to provide detailed information about dues and other costs associated with joining to potential new members during the first day of formal or informal recruitment, either via presentation or handout. Chapters will also provide detailed information on financial support and scholarship information to help remove barriers to joining.
No, UNC Asheville does not have fraternity and sorority housing or on-campus housing reserved for members. Members may choose to live together off-campus. We are excited to offer a Fraternity and Sorority Life lounge space that members can use to meet, socialize, and study in Highsmith 216.