Being in Greek life is on many people’s college bucket lists and Pacific offers that option too! Here’s everything you need to know about the different Greek organizations at Pacific and why you should consider joining. 

What’s the difference between professional and social Greek life? 

At Pacific, we offer professional and social Greek life. Professional Greek life is based on your academic goals, while social Greek life is based on what group you feel represents you. 

Professional Greek organizations 

Being in professional Greek life provides opportunities to network with young professionals who may work in the industries I want to pursue in the future. Many of the professional fraternities on campus require their members to be a major in a certain field. For example, as a business administration marketing student, I am in the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi.  

Professional fraternities also provide academic and social support while on campus. My fraternity holds brotherhood events, including retreats and Wednesday pick-up basketball games. Even if you come in knowing just two people, you will graduate knowing everyone personally.  

As Delta Sigma Pi’s vice president of professional activities, it’s my job to hold four events a semester. One is risk management related, another focuses on diversity equity and inclusion, and the last two are based on the group’s professional interests or needs.

For the DEI event last semester, we had the opportunity to host the assistant dean for diversity, equity, and inclusion and associate professor of marketing in the business school, Professor Sacha Joseph-Mathews, to educate us on issues surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace. 

Social Greek life 

Social Greek life is what probably comes to mind when you think of sororities and fraternities. Many of these organizations have a house on campus and hold social events all year.  

Pacific has seven social Greek organizations and four multicultural Greek organizations on campus. Everyone has a philanthropy they support, recruitment events, social events and fundraising. If decide to join Greek life, you will never be bored. There is always something to do and memories to share.  

My sorority is Kappa Alpha Theta. Our philanthropy is Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), which supports foster youth. It’s a national organization, but we work directly with our closest CASA in San Joaquin County.

Our annual philanthropy event is CASA Carnival where we raise money to donate to CASA of San Joaquin County. The most popular part of the event is the pies and buckets of water that guests can purchase to throw at a Theta. It gets a little messy, but it’s so much fun. As we like to say, “It’s for the kids!” 

Why should you join Greek Life? 

Joining Greek life is like joining a family. The group should match your energy, be there when you’re down, be ready for that food run or just to sit on each other’s floor to rant about classes. There’s never a dull day being around your Greek family. There’s no pressure to go Greek, but I recommend giving it a try! 

About the author

Mariana Arellano

I’m a second-year marketing major ready to take on the world after graduation in Spring 2025. I’m a busy gal, but I love the organizations I’m in and the positions I hold. I work on campus under federal work-study for Tiger Team in the Office of Admissions as a receptionist and tour guide, I am a member of the executive board of the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi as vice president of professional activities, and on the executive board of social sorority Kappa Alpha Theta as vice president of operations. I am also an honors student in the Pacific Humanities Honors program.

You can connect with music-making at University of the Pacific even if you are not a music major. Here are some opportunities to join Conservatory and music-related activities on campus.

1. Pacific Pep Band (MPER 093-2)

Do you play a mean cowbell? Maybe trombone or saxophone? Consider joining the Pacific Pep Band – no audition required! The Pep Band (@pacificpepband) is often referred to as the “best in the West” because of their high energy and ability to hype up crowds. You can get elective credit for being a part of the Pep Band because it is a one-unit class (with the option to take it for zero units). The Pep Band performs at volleyball, women’s basketball, men’s basketball, and water polo games, as well as various University events.

2. Musical Greek Life

There are two professional music fraternities at Pacific that do not require a music major or minor to join. The fraternities make up what is known as the Intra Music Fraternity Council (IMFC) – find them on Instagram (@pacificimfc).

The Eta Omega chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota (@pacificsai) is a professional music fraternity for people who identify as female or nonbinary. Their mission is “to encourage, nurture, and support the art of music for women with a sincere interest in music.” To join, you must be a music lover (no major or minor required) and attend their recruitment events at the beginning of each semester.

The Beta Pi chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia (@phimualphabetapi) is a professional music fraternity for people who identify as male. Their mission statement states that “the object of this Fraternity shall be for the development of the best and truest fraternal spirit, the mutual welfare and brotherhood of musical students, the advancement of music in America, and a loyalty to the Alma Mater.” To join, you must be a music lover (no major or minor required) and attend their recruitment events at the beginning of each semester.

3. Pacific Brass Society

The Pacific Brass Society (@pacificbrass.society) is a student-led brass ensemble that meets regularly on campus. They perform regularly throughout the school year and even carol during the holiday season. If you are interested in joining the Pacific Brass Society, fill out their interest form.

4. Pacific Repertoire Orchestra (PRO)

The Pacific Repertoire Orchestra (@pacificreporchestra) is a student-led chamber orchestra that is open to anyone that plays an orchestral instrument. The orchestra puts on performances every semester and just held its first concerto competition; the orchestra will perform concertos with them this spring. If you are interested in joining the Pacific Repertoire Orchestra, fill out their interest form.

5. Pacific Stocktones

Pacific Stocktones (@pacstocktones) is a student-run a cappella group that is open to everyone. They hold auditions every fall. Some of their annual activities include an EP release, singing Valentines, and, of course, their fabulous performances throughout the school year. The Pacific Stocktones also are on Facebook (@PacStocktones).

6. Pacific Music Therapy Association (PMTA)

The Pacific Music Therapy Association (@uop.pmta) is a great opportunity for students from all majors to learn more about the field of music therapy and grow together as music therapists (or just learn more about the field of music therapy).

7. National Association for Music Education (NAfME) – University of the Pacific Chapter

The University of the Pacific chapter of NAfME (@nafme_at_pacific) creates opportunities for students from all majors to learn more about the field of music education by bringing in guest presenters, assisting with attending the California All-State Music Educators Conference (CASMEC), and sharing resources for professional development.

8. Ensemble Performance (MPER 075)

The Conservatory of Music has several large ensembles, including wind bands and orchestra, that are open to non-music majors. If you are interested in joining a large ensemble, an audition is required; contact Professor Jonathan Latta (jlatta@pacific.edu) for information about auditioning.

To learn more about ensemble auditions and MPER 075 ensembles, visit the Conservatory of Music website.

9. University Chorus (MPER 083)

The University Chorus is a one-unit course offered through the Conservatory that is open to students from all majors. It is an amazing experience for anyone looking to be a part of a choir. The ensemble performs at least twice per semester and often collaborates with other Conservatory and community ensembles. To join, consider registering for MPER 083 (no audition required).

To learn more about Conservatory choral opportunities, visit the Conservatory’s choral ensembles webpage.

10. Neo Souls

Neo Souls (@uopneosouls) is a student-run ensemble open to all students who love R&B, hip hop, pop and more. If you are interested in joining, contact them for audition information.

11. Percussion Ensemble

The Pacific Percussion Ensemble is open to all majors at Pacific. The ensemble is directed by Professor Jonathan Latta and performs an exciting repertoire every school year. An audition is required to join and is primarily based on music-reading abilities.

12. Jazz Ensembles

The Conservatory of Music has several jazz ensembles that are open to all majors, including the big band, vocal jazz, and several combos.

13. Mariachi

Mariachi is offered as a class/ensemble through the conservatory and it is open to all majors as long as you have prior experience playing violin, trumpet, guitar, vihuela or guitarron.

To stay up to date with details on the class, or for more information, check out their Instagram (@mariachiocelotan) and their Facebook (Mariachi Ocelotán).

Learn more about getting involved in the Conservatory here.

About the author

Tristan McMichael

Tristan McMichael ’25 is a music education major at University of the Pacific. He plays saxophone, flute, clarinet, and various other instruments. McMichael is the co-founder of the 501(c)3 non-profit Plumas Performing Arts and currently serves as the public relations officer. On campus, Tristan serves as public relations officer for the Pacific Pep Band, secretary for Pacific’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education and as the alumni secretary and the conservatory community service committee head for the Mu Eta Chapter of Mu Phi Epsilon. Additionally, McMichael is a member of the Tiger Team in the admissions office at the University of the Pacific.