Fraternity/Sorority Expansion

The fraternity and sorority community at the University of Houston-Downtown is a thriving group of organizations that represent various backgrounds, principles and values. University of Houston-Downtown seeks organizations whose ideals are consistent with the University and that are willing to commit the resources necessary to cultivate a strong, sustainable organization. The University of Houston-Downtown recognizes that fraternities and sororities are a valuable component of the undergraduate experience and the growth of fraternity/sorority life serves to advance the University mission and goals.

A collaborative relationship between the university, the governing council, and the organization is necessary to promote a positive experience for undergraduates and to ensure success and sustainability of the chapter. The organization must be affiliated with an inter/national fraternity or sorority.
City-wide chapters are not permitted at this time.

Note: ALL UHD Student Organizations (including Fraternities/Sororities)must have six (6) or more currently enrolled students in order to be a registered student organization at the University of Houston-Downtown.

Organizations interested in establishing a chapter at the University of Houston and joining a governing council shall submit the following to the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement:

• Provide documentation in a detailed letter of intent from an inter/national fraternity or sorority board/headquarters detailing their approval and support for the establishment of a chapter at the University of Houston-Downtown.
• Include the name and information of the local alumni/alumnae chapter and three (3) people that will serve as the alumni/graduate chapter advisors. These people should not be an undergraduate or graduate student.
• Maintain general liability insurance with appropriate coverage.
• Provide a list of all interested potential members and, if applicable, all current initiated members on campus. If you are starting the organization without members (no interests or interest group) then indicate that information.
• Any and all assessment data that demonstrates the educational impact the organization is having on undergraduate and alumni growth and development – i.e. learning outcomes, survey data, educational program data, etc.
• Provide a list of all institutions where the organization has recently expanded.
• Documentation of an expansion/colonization plan. This would include details about how the organization approaches the establishment of new chapters, a timeline, national risk management policies, academic, service, and philanthropy requirements, membership goals, who will be facilitating the start of the colony/chapter, etc.
• A copy of new member education/intake curriculum including the length of time the new member education/intake program spans before initiation.
• An outline of continuous member development programs like leadership trainings, conventions, institutes, offered by the local, state, regional, and national levels.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? Contact or visit the Office of Student Leadership and Involvement.
Student Lounge, 2^nd floor, S204
[email protected]
713-222-5386