About Rider's Fraternities & Sororities
One of the best ways to take advantage of all that Rider has to offer is through the Greek Community.
About 14% of the Rider community is involved in fraternity and sorority life. Many people have ideas about what it’s like to be Greek from TV or movies but remember – you should not believe everything you see or hear. Going Greek is a serious decision that requires some thought and it’s worth it to check it out first hand.
Learn more about each chapter at Rider, their achievements and recognition status as evaluated each year.
Fraternities and sororities are founded upon the common principles and core values of scholarship, leadership, community service, character and the formation of life long friendships; fraternities and sororities provide an exciting way to enhance your collegiate experience. Rider’s Greek history dates back to 1922 and has always been an important part of the school’s co-curricular activities. Currently, Rider is home to four National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, three InterFraternal Council (IFC) fraternities, three National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) sororities, one NPHC fraternity, two Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) sororities and one MGC fraternity. Combined, Greek Life makes up the largest student group on the campus. Our chapters are recognized each year with various awards for excellence.
With all of the things that fraternities and sororities are involved in, it’s important to remember that becoming involved can take up a good deal of your time. This means you’ll have to do a really good job of managing your time. The benefits of being Greek continue long after you graduate. National studies show that fraternity and sorority members have a higher graduation rate from college, have higher satisfaction with their undergraduate experience, and give more as alumni than their non-Greek counterparts. All careers, ranging from education to business, require leadership ability, and being Greek is one of the best ways to develop and improve your leadership skills.
Rider University Greek Council (RUGC)
The RUGC governs and provides programs and services for all National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities, InterFraternal Council (IFC) fraternities, National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternities and sororities and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) fraternities and sororities. The council’s executive board consists of members from each council and is responsible for the organization of many of the community's programs, enforcement of policies and procedures, and promotion of the Greek experience.
Fraternity & Sorority Organizations
Recognized Fraternities and Sororities
Each recognized fraternity and sorority works closely with the Office of Student Involvement to maintain their chapter in good standing. Through our standards and expectations process, chapters are monitored for performance related to set standards and advised closely for continuous improvement. To learn more about each chapter, their achievements and recognition status, please click on the link above to go to our list of recognized organizations.
Dormant Fraternities and Sororities
Chapters become dormant when all members graduate and there are no longer members who attend Rider University. These chapters did not become inactive because of policy violations and have not lost recognition permanently. There is a one year grace period for these chapters to re-activate if there are undergraduate members interested in joining. After one full academic year of inactivity, these chapters must participate in the full process of re-gaining recognition. For more information please see our recognition policy. Rider University does not currently have any dormant organizations.
Formerly Recognized Fraternities and Sororities
There are several fraternities and sororities who have previously, but no longer have chapters at Rider University. These organizations do not currently have the University's permission to operate or recruit new members from our student population. Any student who, as a member of an organization not recognized by the University, violates University, state and/or federal policies may be subject to sanctioning under the Code of Social Conduct. Furthermore, any student who solicits or recruits individuals to join or actively participate in a non-recognized organization with the knowledge or purpose that those individuals will violate University, state and/or federal policies may be subject to sanctioning under the Code of Social Conduct. To see a listing of the fraternities and sororities formerly recognized by Rider University, please click on the link above.
Service, Professional and Special Interest Fraternities and Sororities
There are numerous other organizations at Rider University that use Greek letters in their names. While having many aspects of traditional fraternities and sororities, such as rituals, brotherhood, sisterhood and events, these organizations also have an additional, specialized focus for the organization. Five of these organizations are advised through the Office of Student Involvement.
Order of Omega
Order of Omega is a national honor society for initiated members in fraternities and sororities. The members of Order of Omega represent the top 3% of Rider's Greek community and are of junior or senior standing. Criteria for membership include character, scholarship, service and leadership. Those members initiated into Order of Omega represent a well-rounded student and are charged with giving back to the campus and Greek community. Greek students seeking membership must go through an application and interview process to join. For further information on Order of Omega, please contact the Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life at [email protected].
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
Approximately 14% of Rider undergraduate students are involved in fraternities and sororities. The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life is a part of the Office of Student Involvement and is in place to provide programs and services for the organizations and their members. The office consists of the Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life, House Directors, two of which serve as Program Coordinators of Fraternity & Sorority Life, and one that serves as the Fraternity & Sorority Life Housing Coordinator as well as student staff.
How to Get Involved
Recruitment is a year long activity and students who have 12 Rider credits and a 2.5 cumulative GPA can join at anytime during their college years. Some National Organizations do require a higher cumulative GPA so be sure to ask!
For more information, contact the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life at (609)-896-5000 ext. 7306 or email at [email protected].