Benefits of Fraternities, Sororities & Societies

As participants in the Dartmouth College community, each Greek letter organization is responsible for seeking creative and innovative ways of engaging in campus life while simultaneously serving as stewards of a common set of values. The Dartmouth College Greek community exists to complement the educational mission of the institution, to enhance the quality of campus life, and to provide opportunities for social interaction that result in personal growth. As members of the Dartmouth community, Greek letter organizations and their members agree to uphold and follow six guiding principles. These principles are:

• Fellowship: To establish and nurture lifelong friendships among all members.
• Leadership: To teach skill development for use within the Greek letter community and the broader community.
• Inclusivity: To build a community that embraces and appreciates differences in thought and opinion.
• Service: To foster an ethic of support and care through community involvement and outreach.
• Scholarship: To pursue the acquisition of knowledge, with individual academic excellence as the primary goal.
• Accountability: To act responsibly with regard to choices, decisions and behaviors; and to maintain the integrity of these principles by insisting that all members live up to them both in spirit and action. It is understood that Greek letter organizations are accountable to Dartmouth College and the Dartmouth community, to the membership of each individual organization, and to their Greek peers.

Community and Lifelong Membership

Involvement in Greek Life at Dartmouth provides students the opportunity to develop deep friendships, foster community, broaden horizons and create lasting bonds with diverse peers from across the globe. Choosing to join a Greek Organization instills a sense of belonging and creates a home away from home on campus. Membership transcends the bounds of matriculation and can become a valuable lifetime commitment. Dartmouth alumni remain involved with these organizations and are very invested in ensuring that not only the Greek experience is fulfilling and enriching, but also that it reaps rewards for members beyond graduation. Many alumni give their time, talent and advice to guide members through networking as they look towards bright futures ahead. 

Leadership Development

Numerous opportunities for leadership development accompany joining a Greek organization. Students serve as house officers, volunteer on chapter committees, become chapter officers, or serve as officers at the governing council level. There is also opportunity to organize and lead charity events and represent one's chapter on various college and community boards.  Presentations, speakers, seminars and workshops are offered to members on a continual basis. These facilitate the development of decision-making skills, strengthen communication and promote involvement in the community. National organizations, local alumni boards, and Dartmouth staff provide a wide range of leadership training and educational programs which help make the student experience rewarding and beneficial.

Philanthropy and Service

As service is one of the six guiding principles of Greek Life at Dartmouth, chapters make it part of their mission to support national and locally supported charities. Throughout the year, chapters fundraise and volunteer to support, help and give to their philanthropies of choice. Recent hands-on service efforts include Streetfest 2024, a family-friendly philanthropic festival on Dartmouth campus, proceeds of which benefit the Dartmouth community. Greek members also run, cycle and volunteer in the Prouty, a Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center fundraiser to raise awareness and fund cancer research. Many chapters are also very active in collecting clothing and supplies for LISTEN, the Upper Valley community charity which benefits neighbors in need.  Members also visit schools and retirement communities, take children to Dartmouth athletic events, and devote themselves to environmental improvement programs such as Adopt-A-Highway. The time spent together on these events not only strengthens the bonds members have with each other, and the community, it also has the rewarding impact of making a difference in someone's life.