NEWS

Fraternity & Sorority Alumni Chapter launches at CMU

Group aims to strengthen alumni engagement and support campus experience

The Central Michigan University (CMU) Alumni Association proudly announces the formation of the Fraternity & Sorority Alumni Chapter (FSAC), a historic milestone that celebrates and solidifies the legacy of fraternity and sorority life at CMU.

Officially approved during CMU’s Alumni Association Annual Meeting at Homecoming on October 11, 2024, this new chapter is dedicated to fostering meaningful connections between alumni and CMU while supporting the university’s vibrant fraternity and sorority community.

Fraternity and sorority life has been an integral part of the CMU experience for over a century, beginning in 1901 with the chartering of Phi Delta Pi, the first social fraternity, and Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority (Beta Chapter) in 1904. Since then, over fifty organizations have played a pivotal role in campus traditions, student retention, and the overall student experience.

"For more than a decade, we have recognized the need for a dedicated alumni chapter to support fraternity and sorority life at CMU," said FSAC President Steve Latour, a 2004 initiate of Alpha Sigma Phi. "Fraternities and sororities have contributed to student success, retention, and campus culture for generations. This alumni chapter brings together a community of alumni who share a passion for strengthening these organizations and ensuring their future impact."

A man in a grey blazer and white button-up shirt holds a microphone and speaks in front of a projection screen in a room with people looking at him. — Steve LaTour, FSAC President, speaks at the CMU Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting on October 11, 2024.

A legacy of leadership and community

The FSAC represents alumni who participated in one of CMU’s four governing fraternity and sorority councils:

Interfraternity Council (IFC)
National Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)

The new alumni chapter seeks to create opportunities for alumni engagement, strengthen alumni connections with the university, and support the undergraduate fraternity and sorority community. By encouraging involvement and strategic planning, the FSAC aims to preserve and enhance the legacy of these organizations at CMU.

Research from the National Interfraternity Conference underscores the value of fraternity and sorority membership: first-to-second-year retention rates among sorority members are 93%, compared to 82% for non-members, and fraternity members are 20% more likely to graduate.

"Fraternity and sorority life plays a critical role in student success and retention," Latour noted. "As we see national trends of declining male enrollment and graduation rates, these organizations provide essential leadership opportunities and a sense of belonging that supports academic and personal growth."

Call to action

The FSAC invites all CMU fraternity and sorority alumni to get involved in this exciting new chapter. Each fraternity and sorority, active or inactive, is encouraged to nominate two delegates to serve on the Delegate Council. Delegates will serve as representatives of their respective chapters, contributing to strategic planning and initiatives that support fraternity and sorority life at CMU.

To submit delegate nominations, alumni can visit the Delegate Submission Form. For those interested in supporting FSAC through committee involvement or event participation as a non-delegate, please complete the Interest Form.

Looking ahead: strategic planning and future initiatives

The FSAC is proud to announce its first major initiative: a Fraternity and Sorority Strategic Planning Session to be held on Saturday, February 8, 2025, on CMU’s campus. This session will bring together six undergraduate representatives from each active fraternity and sorority from all four governing councils, FSAC Delegate Council members, and CMU administration to develop a roadmap for strengthening fraternity and sorority life for the next decade. Additional information about this event and registration will be shared in the coming weeks.

"This is a big undertaking, but a much-needed one," said Latour. "The FSAC is committed to supporting the legacy of fraternity and sorority life at CMU, ensuring these organizations continue to provide leadership opportunities, foster community, and positively impact students’ lives for years to come."

Founding members

The formation of the FSAC would not have been possible without the dedication and vision of its founding members. The inaugural leadership team and founding members include: