Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life

Bloomsburg University's fraternity and sorority community is comprised of a diverse group of organizations, each of which offer students the chance to find a group to match their values and personalities. This offers lifetime opportunities for friendship, service to the community, leadership and scholarship. Regardless of the fraternity or sorority, membership in an organization will enhance your college experience. Fraternities and sororities offer a broad experience at BU.

Coming to college is one of the major life changes a young person will go through. Joining a fraternity or sorority can help make the transition easier. Developing life-long friendships with the members in their chapter helps make the campus smaller and more manageable. For many members, these chapters become their home away from home. In addition, every chapter promotes the values of enhancing leadership, service scholarship, philanthropy and financial responsibility in their members.

Community Standards

Bloomsburg University has moved to reform its Greek Life system with the primary focus on the health and safety of its students. During the next 18 months, the entire fraternity and sorority community will be in a probationary period as these new reforms are implemented.

Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life

    Nicole Cronenwett
    KUB 349A
    ncronenwet@bloomu.edu
    570-389-4997

Fraternity and Sorority Life Resources

• Closed Chapters
• Community Standards FAQ
• Recruitment
• Hazing Report
• Guide to Fraternity or Sorority Life (Parents)

The reforms are aimed at curbing dangerous drinking, hazing, sexual assault, and other negative behaviors and consequences found in the Greek Life system around the country. The new initiatives were established following conversations and exchanges of information with other institutions that have forged new paths for their fraternity and sorority communities. The scope and intended outcomes align with national standards and will re-establish safety as the primary focus of the Greek system that has traditionally been private and unregulated. Previously known as the Office of Greek Affairs, the office now known as the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (OFSL) reports directly to Bloomsburg University President Bashar Hanna.

Reforms that are now in effect

• Zero tolerance for hazing — Hazing that involves alcohol, physical abuse, or any behavior that puts a student’s mental or physical health at risk will result in swift permanent revocation of University recognition of the chapter. In determining violations, the University is using the legal definition of hazing under Pennsylvania law. Ongoing education of all members, as well as discussions about responsible behavior, will occur throughout the academic year.
• Risk management policy development — OFSL will work with each chapter to develop risk management plans and policies to ensure safety for its members. These plans and policies must include the election of a standards chair and the creation of a chapter judicial board. Plans will be submitted for review and approval by the Offices of the DOS, OFSL, and CLE.
• Recruitment — Chapters will create a recruitment plan, which will be submitted for review and approval by the Offices of the DOS, OFSL, and CLE before the start of each recruitment period. These recruitment plans which include such information as the recruitment goals and plans for recruitment education. Plans Students wishing to participate in recruitment must have 12 credits from a higher education institution or Bloomsburg University and a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5.
• New Member Process — Chapters must review and revise their current new member plan new member period cannot begin for a chapter until they have submitted their plan for review and have received formal and written approval by the offices of DOS, OFSL, and CLE. New members must be initiated within one week of the conclusion of the six-week new member education period.
• Chapter Operations — Each chapter must have a primary chapter advisor who is an alumna or alumnus of the organization or local chapter. The chapter advisor will join the monthly advisor conference calls and attend the spring chapter advisor training day. Additionally, all chapter officers must attend the officer training day offered each fall and spring semester.
• Chapter Scholarship — Each chapter must have a University faculty member to serve as the chapter’s faculty advisor. Chapters will also submit an academic plan that includes academic standards and expectations for continued membership, academic support, and resources available to chapter members, and incentives and recognition for academic achievement.
• Fraternity/Sorority Score Card — A scorecard will be posted on the OFSL that displays critical information to educate parents and potential new members. The information will include such information as total members, chapter GPA, and alcohol and hazing violations. Additionally, individuals who visit the website (bloomu.edu/ofsl) will be able to learn about the organization’s core values, status, community service efforts, and graduation rates. It is the expectation of the OFSL that chapters regularly report information about their chapters and their members.
• Other Measures — There are also other measures being evaluated and developed by the University such as a social event policy, parent education and communication, relationship agreement for the recognition of social fraternities and sororities, an accreditation program that will detail the minimum criteria for chapters to be recognized by the university, and an OFSL strategic plan.

During the probationary period, those organizations or individuals who do not meet the requirements will be held accountable and adjudicated through the student conduct process. It's important to note the fraternity and sorority life system will be under review during this probationary period, and new reforms may emerge for the community.