The Purpose of Carolina Fraternity and Sorority Standards of Excellence Program is to establish standards to ensure that every Greek organization at Carolina is well managed and is fully committed to the highest quality of student experience for each of its members, with particular emphasis on academic achievement and campus involvement. 

The fraternity and sorority community at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill has experienced almost constant change throughout its’ 150-year history.  The number and type of Greek organizations have varied from year to year. While some organizations consistently distinguish themselves as excellent members of the University community, others find it difficult to maintain a high level of commitment to their values and stated purpose.  In recent years there has been an emergence of religious and multicultural fraternities and sororities that have added significantly to the diversity of the Greek community at Carolina.  There remains a strong desire for students to belong to fraternal organizations, to work together to achieve common goals, and to develop leadership skills within the group and as members of a larger University community.  Fraternities and sororities continue to play an important role in the life of the University and its students.

The University has challenged the Greek Community at Carolina to adopt Standards of Excellence that will form a basis for cooperation and interaction for the benefit of the University and Greek Community.  The Greek community and the University recognize that the Standards of Excellence Program will encourage the success of Greek organizations and will provide a framework for self-assessment, individual and group accountability, greater achievement of organizational goals, and the development of programs and practices that will lead to substantial enrichment of the fraternity and sorority experience.  This program recognizes and rewards those organizations that consistently exceed expectations as well as provides guidance and support to those organizations that fail to meet the expectations of the University and the Greek Community.  

The Fraternity and Sorority Standards of Excellence Program provides a framework for defining the relationship between the University, the Panhellenic Council, the Greek Alliance Council, the Interfraternity Council, and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the individual chapters who make up membership of the four councils.  The Standards of Excellence Program is a joint undertaking by the University and members of the Greek Community at Carolina for the purpose of assuring outstanding quality, continuing growth and improvement of the Greek Community.  Organizations that comply with the Standards of Excellence Program will be recognized as Fraternities and Sororities by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Relationship between the University and Fraternity and Sorority Life
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s overall mission “exists to teach students at all levels in an environment of research, free inquiry, and personal responsibility; to expand the body of knowledge; to improve the condition of human life through service and publication; and to enrich our culture.” Consistent with the University’s commitment to fraternity and sorority life, it seeks to develop the students’ capacity to work independently and interdependently within the University system.  As chapters endeavor to meet and exceed the Standards of Excellence, the University stands ready to assist in every way that it is able.  Numerous University resources are available to chapters, their leaders and their members.  The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life has a primary responsibility to assist chapters, directly or by identifying available University resources, to meet and to exceed the Standards of Excellence.