This step-by-step guide will show you how to begin the process of establishing a Greek chapter at the University of Rhode Island. 

How to Start a Greek Organization

1. 1. Identify the Group. Determine which organization that you are interested in starting at URI. Research their values and mission to ensure that they align with your own.  Make sure you do your research on the organization minimum standards for membership as well. There are upfront financial costs ranging from $500-$2000, minimum GPA requirements and a minimum number of members needed for most groups to start a new chapter. Some organizations have or have not had a chapter at URI before. Organizations that have previously been at URI may have alumni interested in seeing the chapter return to campus and can offer alumni advisement & support. 
   2. Seek Out Potential Members. There is no set minimum number of members to start a chapter, but in order to create a sustainable experience we recommend finding 7-10 other individuals who are also interested in joining this organization. This will ensure that you have a solid foundation upon the start of your organization. It is also important to make sure that these individuals are not just only in good standing but are outstanding! This means that they should showcase that they are dedicated students and community members at URI. 
      *If there are interested individuals who are of senior classification, then they will not be counted in the minimum number requirement as the typical length of the process can take multiple years.
   3. Connect with the National Organization. Once you have found an organization that you are interested in establishing at URI, you can now contact the inter/national organization.  The national organization has to then agree to start an interest group. If they are not interested or don’t have the resources, you might need to pursue another chapter or wait until they are ready. If you are having any difficulty with this step or aren’t sure what organization you want to start, you can move on to contacting the Office of Greek Affairs. 
   4. Contact the Office of Greek Affairs. We are here as a resource to provide you with information and guidance. Contact Alison Burke, the Assistant Director of Greek Affairs. We can help guide you on organization contacts, meeting space, event planning, budgeting and more. You should come prepared with your list of potential members to show that there is significant interest in starting the organization at URI and why you are looking to start a new organization. 
   5. Next Steps. The next steps in this process will be based on the inter/national organization itself, and how they wish to proceed. 

Don’t know where to look for an organization that aligns with your interests & values? Almost all Greek organizations fall under an overarching umbrella organization. 

Umbrella Organizations

• National APIDA Panhellenic Association (NAPA) – Association formed by 14 of the largest and most established Asian Greek lettered organizations.
• National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO) – Association formed by 20 of the largest and most established Latinx Greek lettered organizations.
• National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC) – Council formed by 11 of the largest and most established Multicultural Greek lettered organizations.
• National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) – Council formed by the nine largest and most established Black Greek lettered organizations, the “Divine Nine.”
• National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) – Conference formed by 26 national Greek lettered sororities and women’s fraternities.
• North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) – Conference formed by 75 national fraternities.
  

   

Current & Future Expansion Plans 

• Alpha Phi Sorority (NPC Sorority ) – Returning to URI in Fall 2025 
  To learn more about Alpha Phi returning to URI in Fall 2025 please contact their National Office at recruitment@alphaphi.org
• Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (NPHC Fraternity)- Actively searching for members from URI to join their Alpha Gamma chapter 
  To learn more about this organization please contact Bernardo Barbosa, Alpha Phi Alpha Chapter Advisor for the Alpha Gamma City-wide Undergraduate Chapter
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc (NPHC Sorority)- Has been approved to return to URI under the Lambda Iota Charter.
  To learn more about this organization, please contact that chapter at deltasigmathetali@gmail.com for more information, and refer to the chapter Instagram @lideltas1974 or visit the national website for more information online. 
• Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. (NIC Fraternity)- Actively searching for new members to establish a new chapter at URI. 
  To learn more about this organization please contact Jeffrey Chavez, Lambda Theta Phi National Director of Membership Development 
• Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity (NIC Fraternity) – Returning to URI in Fall 2025 
  To learn more about Sigma Phi Epsilon returning to URI in Fall 2025 please contact, Braden Botkin, Director of Growth for Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity 

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Greek Affairs at greek@etal.uri.edu.