College fraternities and sororities

In <a href="/facts/North_America/djNjCQIl">North America</a>, fraternities and sororities are <a href="/facts/Social_club/2HQmqWhq">social clubs</a> at <a href="/facts/College/fW5cuvPJ">colleges</a> and <a href="/facts/Universities/skaJt2Io">universities</a>. They are sometimes collectively referred to as Greek life or Greek-letter organizations, as well as collegiate fraternities or collegiate sororities to differentiate them from general, non-university-based <a href="/facts/Fraternity/kaqx1mJI">fraternal organizations</a> and <a href="/facts/Fraternal_order/RlyPS4YR">fraternal orders</a>, <a href="/facts/Friendly_society/0jJ5Pg38">friendly societies</a>, or <a href="/facts/Benefit_society/7qIKTWTu">benefit societies</a>.
Generally, membership in a fraternity or sorority is obtained as an <a href="/facts/Undergraduate_education/GVvPMLFN">undergraduate</a> student but continues thereafter for life by gaining <a href="/facts/Alumni/yJTHYD3y">alumni</a> status. Some accept <a href="/facts/Graduate_school/e19zs58x">graduate</a> students as well, some also provide honorary membership in certain circumstances. Individual fraternities and sororities vary in organization and purpose, but most – especially the dominant form known as social fraternities and sororities – share five common elements:

<ol><li>Secrecy</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Sex_segregation/fjDjcgyL">Single-sex</a> membership</li>
<li>Selection of new members based on a two-part vetting and probationary process known as <a href="/facts/Sorority_recruitment/2I8tEfXR">rushing</a> and pledging (or orientation)</li>
<li>Ownership and occupancy of a <a href="/facts/Fraternity_and_sorority_housing/MdWwCKrK">residential property</a> where undergraduate members live</li>
<li>A set of complex identification symbols that may include <a href="/facts/Greek_alphabet/1cHwB8Dg">Greek letters</a>, <a href="/facts/Armorial_achievement/cmkn0H85">armorial achievements</a>, ciphers, badges, grips, hand signs, passwords, flowers, and colors</li></ol>
Fraternities and sororities engage in <a href="/facts/Philanthropy/Xep5s0gd">philanthropic activities</a>; host social events; provide "finishing" training for new members, such as instruction on etiquette, dress, and manners; and create networking opportunities for their newly graduated members. Fraternities and sororities can be tax-exempt <a href="/facts/501(c)(7)_organization/Qx1XrC9t">501(c)(7) organizations</a> in the United States.
Fraternities and sororities have been criticized for practicing <a href="/facts/Elitism/z4KgdzmP">elitism</a> and <a href="/facts/In-group_favoritism/9dkeBNIk">favoritism</a>, discriminating <a href="/facts/Racism_in_United_States_college_fraternities_and_sororities/oMsUtW85">against non-White students</a> and other marginalized groups, conducting dangerous <a href="/facts/Hazing_in_Greek_letter_organizations/s0FbLuBh">hazing rituals</a>, and facilitating <a href="/facts/Alcohol_abuse_among_college_students/R7l1tyvy">alcohol abuse</a> and <a href="/facts/Campus_sexual_assault/EtdRbrzA">campus sexual assault</a> including <a href="/facts/Rape_culture/9AKSonkE">rape culture</a>. Many colleges and universities have sought to reform or abolish them due to these concerns, but these efforts have been met with intense controversy.

College fraternities and sororities open-in-new

College fraternities and sororities