Expansions, Chartering and Re-establishing Chapters

The University of Richmond recognizes a strong fraternity and sorority life (FSL) community is a constructive element of student life. The university also recognizes that the community must be adequate so as to provide opportunities for every student who has the desire and means to join. In overseeing this process of orderly expansion, there must be substantial evidence of the ability of the proposed organization to contribute to the FSL community and to conduct itself in a manner consistent with the University’s principles and policies.

In consultation with University leadership, national organizations and council leaders, the Director of Student Involvement will make the determination if expansion, chartering, or re-establishing chapters is appropriate.

Currently, the University of Richmond is not open to new establishments for the 2023–24 academic year.

Eligibility Requirements

  • The establishing organization must not be currently operating as an unrecognized organization with either the support of the establishing organization nor by current students claiming to be part of that establishing organization. 
  • The establishing organization must be actively affiliated with a national council at the time of applying (Example: NPHC, NPC, NIC, NMGC, NAPA, NALFO, etc.).
  • The establishing organization must operate a national headquarters at the time of applying that must show proof of fifteen (15) consecutive years of business operations and have undergraduate chartered chapters at fifteen (15) or more colleges and universities at the time of application.
  • The national organization must disclose the institutions and dates of their three most recent chapter closures.
  • The organization must have policies that are congruent with the fraternity and sorority policies of the University of Richmond.
  • The organization must be able to send professional staff or elected volunteers to campus to conduct the key components of the new chapter’s creation.
  • The organization must be able to assemble, train and support a chapter advisory team prior to the induction of the first new member class upon expansion approval.
  • All chapters at the University of Richmond are required to have proof of liability insurance. Chapters shall assess their own risks and if it deems appropriate and/or prudent, maintain higher limits and/or broader coverages. General Liability Insurance with minimum limits of no less than $1,000,000 per occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate. The policy must: (1) Include coverage for alcohol liability, hazing liability, and sexual misconduct and assault liability; (2) Name the University of Richmond as an additional insured; (3) Be primary to any insurance maintained by the University; and (4) Be placed with an insurer licensed or authorized to conduct business in the Commonwealth of Virginia and with an A.M. Best rating of not less than A-VII