University: University of Toronto
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Year Founded: King George IV grants royal charter back in 1827
First Greek Chapter: Men’s – Zeta Psi 1879; Women’s – Kappa Alpha Theta 1887 (inactive after 1941)/ still active chapter Alpha Phi 1906
More commuter or more residential: commuter (85%+)
Total Enrollment: 68,000
% Greeks: roughly 1%
# of NIC Fraternities 15
# of NPC Sororities 7
# of Locals 1 Canadian National Fraternity – Phi Kappa Pi
# of NPHC groups 1 (Alpha Phi Alpha back after a 90 year absence)
# of Multi cultural groups 0 (as far as I know, there have been a couple Asian societies that have been started but folded of a year or two)
Wet or Dry Campus? Wet
What type of housing arrangements does your system have (BE SPECIFIC - none, dorm floors, chapter houses close to/on campus owned by chapters, chapter houses far off campus owned by chapters, normal houses rented by chapters off campus, etc.)
Most GLOs have houses, more specifically those GLOs that survived the 60s. Old Victorian homes owned either by alumni or by housing corps. that house a dozen to twenty members. Other GLOs without “houses” normally designated one member(s) rented house or apartment as their un-official house for the year.
Are there plans for construction of Greek housing soon? Nope, nor in the foreseeable future as the school doesn’t recognize the GLOs.
Do those with chapter houses have sleeping dorms, open airs, cold airs, porches, etc.? Well I guess that all depends either on if the heater is working or not
There aren’t any real common sleeping rooms, just couches or floor space to grab on a need driven basis.
Parties thrown in the fraternity houses? Some. It all depends on the property and housing rules of the different GLOs – property wise some can’t afford to host a party (no space really); rule wise some are dry houses.
Your city easy on underage drinking? Depends if it’s your night or not… and where and when the underager is nabbed – but it’s really not that much of an issue for GLOs here given the drink age and all.
Are bars in your city easy to drink underage in? Some yes, most no… so if you know were to go (or how much skin to flash for some) it can be done.
Type of Fraternity Rush (Open, structured, summer, other) Open – except of course for the sororities and some particular requirements for individual GLOs
When Sorority recruitment takes place for your system: In September, usually the second week back to school.
Do Greeks run things at your school? Not really – but then again I don’t think anyone runs things at the school.
Last Time Greek was Student Body President? the Student Body - a DKE in 2003; other colleges have their own student government and usually have 1 or 2 Greeks in the government.
Last Time Greek was Homecoming King?
Last Time Greek was Homecoming Queen? What is this homecoming you speak of?
But seriously UofT barely has a Homecoming (about 95% of students couldn’t even tell you when it is) and as far as I know hasn’t had a King or Queen since the 60s.
Describe your typical Greek social Semester?(Are they called mixers/parties/exchanges, must they be registered, how many do you have a semester, any other "greek" sponsored social outlets, is having a party with another house a common thing or a rare thing, describe as much as possible) Mixers/Socials are the primary social events between houses, with Sororities visiting either the Fraternity house or meeting at another location for specific events (bowling, skating, billiards, sporting event, etc). As for parties with another house… well any Fraternity throwing a party always invites the others (and in some cases keeps it closed to non-greeks) and the odd co-hosting events aren’t unheard of.
Good relationship with the University Administration? The term “acceptance but not recognition” pretty much sums it up – they have nothing to do with us, we have nothing to do with them… ie. You stay out of our business and we’ll stay out of yours. This has been the case since about 1960 when the school withdrew recognition of all GLOs.
Good relationship with Greek Affairs/Greek Life? N/A as there is no Greek Affairs.
Is your director of Greek Affairs Greek? From your Campus? see the previous
Average dues associated with being in a chapter? More or less than living in Residence Halls? Dues average anywhere between 200 – 1000 per semester, with rent of course being on top of that if you live in the house.
Hazing, common or uncommon? Harmful/Stupid Hazing - Pretty much non-existent… or so far from the light of day that it exists only in rumours and conjecture. I’ll admit that I have seen some stuff still around here and there that IHQs would label hazing… but I can’t say I’ve heard of anything hurtful/harmful taking place in years.
Describe the types of philanthropies chapters do? Mainly just the standard fundraisers/collections for each GLO’s specific philanthropic endeavour – other ones include participating in community/city charity events like marathons and such.
Any notable traditions for the Greek System? You mean besides a high proportion of members that take an extra year?
I think the only real surviving one has been going to the Madison Avenue Pub after Monday night meetings/socials – the place is pretty much reserved only for Greeks and more business gets done there than at any formal meeting between GLOs… with such a small/select Greek community it is easy for everyone to really mingle there.