Office of Student Life

Sorority and Fraternity Life

Expansion and Recognition Information

Student Life Sorority & Fraternity Life Recognition Information

Complete the SFL Recognition Application

What does recognition with Sorority & Fraternity Life (SFL) look like?

Recognition with SFL assists social sororities and fraternities, both current and expanding to Ohio State, by connecting organizations with staff, campus resources and peer organizations. Recognized organizations and their members receive many benefits associated with being an officially recognized Greek-letter organization.

Benefits of SFL recognition

  • Official recognition as a social sorority or fraternity at The Ohio State University
  • Membership in one of the four governing Councils: Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, or Panhellenic Association
  • Listed on https://sfl.osu.edu, corresponding council website, and official SFL and Student Life marketing materials
  • Direct advising from SFL Staff via the Chapter Liaison program
  • Member grade verification, grade reports, and roster tracking
  • Invitations to participate in SFL and community programs with councils and Greek Programming Board such as Homecoming and Greek Week
  • Second-year student live-in approval for recognized chapter facilities
  • House corporation, house director, and general housing support from SFL
  • Support from SFL for regional and inter/national organization communication
  • Alumni and advisor trainings from SFL staff members and campus partners
  • Individual and organizational recognition opportunities, including Order of Omega Honorary Society and SFL Awards
  • Ability to reserve space on campus such as the Ohio Union, the Oval, residence halls, and more
  • Campus engagement opportunities, leadership development experiences, and invitational meetings including the Chapter President Leadership Institute, Buckeye Greek Leadership Institute, the SFL Standards of Excellence program, council leadership positions, etc.
  • Intake and recruitment assistance from SFL and Chapter Liaisons

How can my organization start the SFL recognition process? 

Complete the SFL Recognition Application. Be sure to review the application and download all available prerequisite materials before beginning the application.

When should my organization begin the SFL recognition process?

The recognition process is driven by your timeline and initiative. Once your organization has registered with Student Activities, the student members/interests may apply to become recognized by SFL. We understand that you may need to take some time to create and gather the documents that are required. No matter where you are in the process, we recommend connecting with us so we can help you! Once recognized, SFL staff will assist your organization in joining one of the four student governing councils.

How can my organization begin to recruit before being recognized by SFL?

We understand that an interest group may need to gain a few members before petitioning Student Activities to become an organization, which is the first step of recognition. Please contact SFL to connect with the recognition coordinator, Hunter Hartwig (hartwig.24@osu.edu). Hunter, or another SFL staff member, will assist your organization with room and tabling reservations to jumpstart your recruitment efforts even before you finalize the recognition process. Once you’ve gained five members, you can apply to be a registered student organization and will have access to room reservations and other resources consistent with registered student organization status.

What is the best way to begin expansion and gain new members/interests at Ohio State?

Many organizations who are new to campus advertise through a myriad of tactics:

  • Reserve a table and advertise on campus (i.e. The Oval, RPAC, Academic Buildings, Residence Halls, and The Ohio Union). Be sure to check our tabling and reservation requirements for each entity.
  • Host information sessions about your organization and joining requirements
  • Create opportunities for students to get involved, such as a service day or speaker
  • Connect with Councils and SFL staff to make announcements or be a guest at an event
  • Connect with academic areas and request to make announcements at events or send a flyer out on their listserv
  • Meet with Ohio State academic and student life leaders and ask for recommendations
  • Connect with other student organizations which may have related values

What is the process once my organization submits the SFL Recognition Application?

  1. SFL staff will review the application once it is received. This process may take up to one month depending on staff schedules and the time of year. We appreciate your patience during this review phase.   
  2. If the application is complete and the organization meets the minimum requirements to be recognized (see below), the organization will be asked to schedule a presentation for the SFL staff and appropriate council representatives. At the presentation, the organization will be asked to present on purpose, mission, new member process, risk management plan, and other related foundations.
  3. After the presentation is complete, SFL staff will provide feedback, and after criteria are met, offer the organization recognition.

 What are the requirements to becoming recognized?

  • Organization is a registered student organization and is labeled as a social fraternity or sorority with Student Activities
  • Organization will acknowledge its capacity to complete SFL Standards of Excellence requirements and chapter expectations.
  • Each organization member must meet the Ohio State SFL minimum joining requirements:
    • 2.5 Cumulative GPA: To calculate this, everyone listed on the roster (actives, new members, pledges, etc.) must complete the Interest Form and Grade Release.
    • 12 completed hours of college credit
  • Organization has completed the SFL Recognition Application
  • Organization has an identified President, Treasurer and Secondary Leader
  • Organization has a chapter advisor/advisory board
  • Organization has an Ohio State faculty/staff Chapter Advocate
  • Organization has a local chapter constitution and bylaws
  • Organization has a list of guiding principles and values
  • Organization will submit necessary intake paperwork/recruitment plans
  • Organization has a comprehensive Risk Management Plan 
  • Organization has a detailed Academic Plan
  • Organization will submit plans for Membership Intake Process/New Member Education
  • Organization will provide a presentation to SFL staff and appropriate council representatives at a time to be determined by all parties
  • Once the SFL Recognition Application has been submitted and processed, SFL staff will work with your leadership to find a time to meet.
  • Once completed, organization must petition to join one of the four governing Councils.

Which Councils can my organization join?

Once your organization has been recognized by SFL, you can begin to petition councils to become a member. Learn more about the four councils by reviewing information online or contact a staff member with any questions.

Associated Costs

Council Dues: each chapter council charges membership dues. You can find more information on council dues here.

SFL Contribution: Beginning in the Fall 2019 semester, sororities and fraternities that belong to the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Multicultural Greek Council (MCGC), National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Panhellenic Association (PHA) will be billed $40 per member per semester as part of a Sorority and Fraternity Community Contribution. Chapters receive a one semester grace period during an expansion project.  For example, if a new chapter comes to campus and begins recruiting in the fall, they will not be billed for the contribution that semester, however the chapter will be billed the following spring.You can find more detailed information regarding the contribution here.