Who We Are | UO Panhellenic Council

History of Greek Life at the UO

Since 1776, Greek-letter organizations have been an integral part of student life at colleges and universities across the nation. Founded under the principles of scholarship, leadership, community service and the development of lifelong relationships, fraternity and sorority members today still practice these fundamental principles in their daily pursuit of collegiate excellence. The fraternity and sorority community at the University of Oregon can trace its roots to 1900. Today, there are over 30 recognized fraternities and sororities at UO for students to choose from, some having over a century of history here on campus. This is a proud heritage that students can become part of by becoming a member of one of our recognized organizations.

What is Panhellenic?

The University of Oregon College Panhellenic Association is chartered by National Panhellenic Conference. The National Panhellenic Conference, one of the largest organizations advocating for women, is the umbrella group for 26 national and international sororities that are autonomous social organizations.

UO Panhellenic is represented by 12 distinguished chapters. Each sorority is unique; however, our community is founded on five core values: Scholarship and Learning; Community Service and Philanthropy; Brotherhood and Sisterhood; Leadership and Engagement; and Community Awareness. We strive to integrate these values into our everyday lives.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of student life at the University of Oregon by empowering members of the Greek community through advising with a developmental approach, educating with a purpose, collaborating with stakeholders, promoting academic success, encouraging civic responsibility, advocating for healthy lifestyles, creating lifelong connections, and advancing values-based leadership and decision making.

Creed

We, as undergraduate members of women’s fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities. We, as fraternity women, stand for service through the development of character inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.