Programs

The Office of Sorority & Fraternity Life is home to values based organizations. We are committed to community, leadership and service.

Spring 2021 Training

Below is a list (not inclusive) of upcoming trainings for spring 2021. Please note who is required to attend. All will be held virtually via Zoom using the link below unless otherwise indicated.

New Member Educator and Intake Coordinator Training

January 27, 2021 from 2:00 - 3:30pm EST

New member educators and intake coordinators play a critical role in the onboarding of a sorority or fraternity's newest members. This training will teach the importance of the role as well as discuss relevant policies, procedures, and practices related to the new member experience and share best practices and requirements to create a safe and successful process. Due to COVID-19 the process must be virtual.

Sorority & Fraternity Virtual Recruitment Fair

January 29, 2021 from 4:00 - 6:00pm EST

A virtual showcase of all sororities and fraternities via Campus Groups. Students interested in fraternities and sororities can visit virtual booths for all of our recognized sororities and fraternities in an opportunity to engage, interact, and learn more about them. You must visit Campus Groups for further information.

Event Training in a COVID-19 Environment

February 2, 2021 at 4:00pm EST

Who should attend: President, Risk Manager(s), and Social Chair(s) - Chapter Advisors and Live-In Advisors Welcome

Event Protocol Training happens at the beginning of every semester. We train the relevant officers on university policies and procedures surrounding social events and other relevant topics. This year, it will be all online and focus on how policies and procedures will be handled in the COVID-19 world.

Leaders Retreat

February 4, 2021 from 1:00 - 3:00pm EST

Who should attend: Tri-Council Executive Board, Chapter Presidents, and Chapter Vice-Presidents (or #2 officer)

 The Leaders Retreat is a developmental opportunity for undergraduate members of the Cornell Sorority & Fraternity community. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this annual event will be held via Zoom. This educational and impactful experience aims to equip leaders to face the challenges of the coming semester and motivate them to raise the standards of our community.

University-Owned House Manager Training

February 5, 2021 from 1:30 - 3:30pm EST

Our House Manager Training will be all online due to COVID-19, and we will have a session for university-owned House Managers and privately-owned House Managers. We want to make sure House Managers are well equipped for the year and that they can get as many of their questions answered as possible. Being our main point of contact for houses in the COVID-19 world, educating them on what the role of House Manager really means and all the responsibilities will go a long way.

Live-In Advisor Meeting

February 16, 2021 at 7:00pm EST

Who should attend: Current live-in advisors

Live-in advisors serve as an important part of the residential fraternal experience. The Office of Sorority and Fraternity Life will host a meeting to discuss the beginning of the semester, discuss important updates, build community among live-in advisors, and share relevant resources. This will be virtual.

Health Officer Liaison Trainings

March 6 at 10:00 am EST and March 7 at 7:00pm ESTEach sorority or fraternity must have a health officer liaison. This person serves a critical communication role regarding COVID-19. The health officer liaison for your chapter must attend one of these two trainings. For more information, please visit our Leadership Workshop Series page for more details (look under Organization Specific and General Workshops).

Treasurer Training

April 15 at 4:30 pm EST

During this training, we will discuss best practices and tools, particularly to help with the transition away from bursar billing in the fall 2021 semester. Chapter treasurers should attend, in addition, presidents and advisors are invited to attend. 

Additional Training Opportunities

There are several programs available to students from all organizations, including Sorority & Fraternity Life, on a range of important topics such as Using Campus Groups, Inclusion, Working with your Advisor, Creating Community through Experiences, Delegation, and Branding and Marketing. While these programs are not required for sorority and fraternity leaders, we strongly encourage attendance to learn more and develop your skills in these important areas. You can learn more on the Leadership Workshop Series page.

Community and Lifelong Membership

Providing experiences that expand an individual's worldview and instill within them a sense of home away from home is a core tenet of our purpose. Membership in a fraternity and sorority also extends beyond the college years. In fact, there are a significant number of Cornell alumni who give their time, talent and treasure to help to make sure this experience is available for the next generation. Many of our organizations maintain an alumni database and host alumni/undergraduate events for networking purposes.

Leadership Development

Membership in a fraternity or sorority offers numerous opportunities for leadership development. Workshops and seminars are presented regularly to chapter members helping them develop decision-making skills, strengthen their communication techniques, and encourage involvement in the community. Leadership positions are available to members at many levels: students may choose to volunteer on chapter committees, become chapter officers, or serve as officers at the governing council level. National organizations, local alumni boards, and Cornell staff provide a wide range of leadership training and educational programs which help make the student experience rewarding and beneficial.

Philanthropy and Service

Sorority & fraternity members take it as a part of their mission to support their national and locally supported philanthropies (not-for-profit causes). Throughout the year each chapter spends time fundraising and volunteering to help their philanthropies of choice. Some of the fundraising and hands-on service efforts include pancake breakfasts, dodge ball tournaments, 5K runs, volunteering at elementary schools, visiting retirement communities, taking children to Cornell athletic events, and environmental improvement programs such as Adopt-A-Highway. The time spent together on these events is one of the many opportunities for members to bond while making a difference in someone's life.