Councils

OWU fraternities and sororities are affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference, North-American Interfraternity Conference, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, ensuring that the local chapters adhere to Greek standards across the country. These national groups also help local chapters promote the value of Greek life through college and beyond.

Interfraternity Council (IFC)

When you join a fraternity at OWU, you join not only a brotherhood comprised of your fraternity members but join those affiliated with other fraternities on campus into a fraternal community. The Interfraternity Council (IFC) is a group whose goal is to improve and advance fraternity life on campus. Ten representatives serve on IFC to promote not only the shared interest amongst chapters but have the motiviation to create a better community, better chapters, and better men. 

In addition to fostering the success of OWU fraternity chapters, the IFC officers work with the NIC (National Interfrateral Council) to further the health and success of other local fraternal communities. 

If you have any questions about IFC, feel free to email owuifc@owu.edu.

Panhellenic Council

When you join a sorority at OWU, you don’t just enter a sisterhood within your chapter, but you also join a larger Panhellenic community.

The Panhellenic Council, composed of ten officers representing the member organizations, is committed to ensuring the growth of sorority life on the OWU campus. The Council devises strategies for developing sorority life so that it has a positive impact on those involved, on the University, and on the local community. The Panhellenic Council offers ample opportunities to hone your leadership skills while in college and then beyond. 

National Pan-Hellenic Council

The National Pan-Hellenic Council promotes, supports, and represents historically African American fraternities and sororities. Ohio Wesleyan has long-standing relationships with several National Pan-Hellenic Council member organizations. However, if no current chapter exists at OWU, the Fraternity and Sorority Life office can put students in contact with members of the following organizations upon request:

• Omicron Rho, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity
• Pi Gamma, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority
• Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity
• Iota Psi, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity
• Nu Phi, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
• Beta Omicron Sigma, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority
• Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority

While these organizations are non-residential at OWU, the University partners with Otterbein University and Capital University to encourage membership growth and breadth through Alumni Chapters and City-wide organizations. These organizations promote leadership, social, service, and philanthropic opportunities both during and beyond the collegiate experience.

Honorary Societies

When you join fraternity or sorority life at OWU, you join a community of diverse individuals, with a variety of interests/majors, who are deeply committed to academics. Ohio Wesleyan is home to two honor societies for members of fraternities or sororities: The Order of Omega and Gamma Sigma Alpha.

The Order of the Omega

The idea for an honorary society for fraternity men is attributed to Parker F. Enwright, advisor to fraternities at the University of Miami in the mid-to-late 1950s. The original Order of Omega constitution was approved by the Organizations Committee at the University of Miami on April 14, 1959, the recognized founding date. (Enright later accepted a position at the University of Pittsburgh, where he also initiated an Order of Omega chapter in 1964.)

Since then, many institutions inquired about membership in the Order. They see it as a way to further the dedication to scholarship of the Greek organizations on their campuses. A national constitution was formalized and colonization procedures were developed to guide new chapters across the country. This constitution, charter documents, suggested rituals and regalia, and recognized membership certificates provide a consistent foundation for each chapter.

The Order of Omega voted to become co-ed in the spring of 1977. At Ohio Wesleyan, it is open to all qualified affiliated men and women. Membership reflects academic excellence, and those chosen take the mission of the group, to highlight the commitment all Greek organizations have to academics, very seriously.

Gamma Sigma Alpha

Gamma Sigma Alpha Honor Society (GSA) is a national organization (with local chapters) committed to the academic success of Greek members and alignment with the academic missions of the colleges and universities involved. Greek-affiliated students are eligible for membership based on grade point average and commitment to OWU’s academic missions. Only students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale) at the start of their junior year or a grade point average of 3.5 or higher in any semester during their junior or senior year are eligible.