By ANGELA MURPHY, CSU Public Relations Student Assistant

One of the many things students love about Minnesota State Mankato’s Fraternity & Sorority Life community is that it is a close-connected community. Many schools have an FSL community but many of them are larger and more expensive.

As for me, I am in a sorority on campus. Joining my sorority was probably the best decision I made while at Minnesota State Mankato.

For me, it’s all about community and connections. Two of my roommates are in the same sorority as I am. All of my sorority sisters provide a support system of women who are always there for me. With that support, I have been able to grow as a person. My sorority life has created the sort of lasting sisterhood I know I want at my wedding.

I also get to be connected with others from the FSL chapters on campus. The connections I have made are endless. Those various associations have opened up leadership opportunities for myself and others.

I am only a sophomore, and I honestly can’t wait to see the other connections I make as I continue my journey. I credit this all to my sorority involvement.

Others share that view as I interviewed students who are a part of our FSL community. They each shared why they chose to join and what makes Minnesota State Mankato’s FSL community different from other schools.  

“I personally joined in my spring semester freshmen year. I did not want to join my first semester since I wanted to learn how to manage school before I joined any organizations. I am happy I joined I wish I would have joined sooner!” – Anna  

“It’s smaller so it feels more welcoming. The sense of community between chapters is more tightknit than it would usually be” – Abby 

“I like the fact that it is smaller. It opens up the opportunity for people to take on leadership roles. I wouldn’t have joined if it was a bigger school. We are a closer community because we are at a small school” – Clare 

“I joined during COVID because there weren’t any in-person classes. I ended up finding a chapter that fit my standards. I have made some of my closest friends being a part of my chapter.” – Nathan  

“I joined my fraternity to be a part of something bigger than myself and to make a positive impact on myself, my campus, and my community. I have made lifelong connections that will benefit me in several ways. Making this commitment was one of the best decisions I have made in my life, and it is one I would recommend everyone to consider.” – Brad 

Fraternity and Sorority Life at Minnesota State Mankato

For those interested in joining a community, Minnesota State Mankato has four sororities and six fraternities. The sororities are Sigma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Gamma Phi Beta, and Alpha Chi Omega. The fraternities are Phi Kappa Psi, Sigma Nu, Sigma Chi, Phi Delta Theta, Tau Kappa Epsilon, and Lambda Chi Alpha. Each sorority and fraternity have their own founding principles and distinctive qualities. The best part about that is you can find your place in one of our sororities or fraternities.  

The pleasant thing about our fraternities is that they never stop recruiting. If you want to join one you can actively learn about them. In the fall our sororities recruit formally and informally and in the spring they recruit informally. You can join your first year, but you don’t have to. You can join no matter what year you are in school.  

Our sororities are overseen by the Panhellenic Council. The Panhellenic Council makes sure that each sorority is following national guidelines. They as well offer support and opportunities for our sororities. On the opposite side we have the Interfraternity Council. They oversee all of our fraternities on campus. These councils as well help enforce Mankato’s No Hazing Policy.  

Honorary Organizations

There are Honorary Organizations that are under fraternity and sorority life called Gamma Sigma Alpha and Order of Omega. These organizations are for students who either have a 3.1 GPA or higher. These organizations promote successes in all achievements.  

So whether you want to get super involved or just slightly involved fraternity and sorority life could be your option. It has opened many doors for students while at Mankato and after graduation. 

Angela Murphy is a second-year pre-nursing student seeking to enter the program next spring. She is the activities chair for Gamma Phi Beta sorority and serves as a Student Ambassador.