About Our Office

Ball State is home to 30 fraternities and sororities:

• 12 fraternities governed by the Interfraternity Council
• 8 chapters (4 fraternities and 4 sororities) governed by the National Pan-Hellenic Council
• 10 sororities governed by the Panhellenic Association

Operating as part of the Division of Student Affairs, we in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life work closely with our fraternities and sororities to develop men and women academically, personally, and professionally by:

• fostering an environment that expects, encourages, and rewards academic success
• engaging alumni to provide members with mentor relationships, professional networks, and volunteer resources
• creating intentional membership, personal, and organizational development opportunities in a safe and social environment
• developing lifelong relationships with each other, the fraternal organizations, and Ball State.

The Ball State University fraternity and sorority community provides a premier student development experience dedicated to a lifetime of excellence.

- Mission Statement

Our Values

Strategic Plan

The growth and development of the Greek community at Ball State is guided by our strategic plan. You may view the plan and annual progress reports for both the current, 2013-18 plan, as well as its predecessor. Read the plans and reports.

Our History

Greek life has been a part of Ball State for nearly its entire existence.

Within a year of the university being founded in 1918 as the Indiana State Normal School-Eastern Division, the first Greek organization began: the Navajo social club, which would later become Lambda Chi Alpha in 1951.

Also in 1919, the Girls Club was started, which followed the tradition of the organization at Indiana State Normal School in Terre Haute. All girls were eligible to be a member and local sororities started in sections of the club beginning with Alpha sorority in 1920, which later became Alpha Chi Omega.

Ball State developed a large contingent of national organizations in the mid-1950s, when many of the local organizations became affiliated with national fraternities and sororities. Throughout the community’s history, more than 45 national and international Greek organization chapters have called Ball State University home.

Other important milestones for our community include:

• 1946 – Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. was established as the first African-American sorority at Ball State University.
• 1953 – Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was founded as the first African-American fraternity.
• 1957 – Woodworth Complex opened and provided eight sorority suites, which housed Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Omicron Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Zeta, and Pi Beta Phi.
• 1994 – Gamma Phi Omega International Sorority, Inc. became the first Latina sorority at Ball State University when the local chapter was established.
• 2008 – Four sororities relocated to university-owned houses on Riverside Avenue for the first time.
• 2008 – Phi Iota Alpha Fraternity. Inc. became the first Latino fraternity. 

Questions? Want to Learn More?

Are you thinking about joining a fraternity or sorority and want to learn more about what it’s like to be one of our members? Please feel free to reach out to the organization you’re interested in, or you’re welcome to call or email us in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life. Also, take a minute to review some of our frequently asked questions.