The History of SOSU/BU

Founded in 2000, at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, Society of Sisters United/Brothers United is a community-service based organization with a unique and distinguished purpose. Hartwick College is a small liberal arts institution located in the northern foothills of the Catskill Mountains. It offers more than two dozen majors and minors with a very modest student population of less than 1500 students.

The founding members were female students of color with a desire to bring a historically black sorority to the Hartwick College campus. After a campaign that did not come to fruition, Society of Sisters United (SOSU) was born. Presented as an alternative to a sorority and driven by the desire to give back to the Hartwick community in an unprecedented way, SOSU was established in Spring 2000. The society’s first community-service event was at the soup kitchen in Oneonta.

In Fall 2000, SOSU found themselves revived by a host of eager students who wanted nothing more than to lift it to new heights. As a celebration of the society’s reconstruction and service activities within the community, SOSU held its 1st Annual Formal Event in Spring 2001.

In Fall 2001, pleased with the growth of their organization, the sisters looked to expand and extend membership to male students who would uphold the mission and purpose of the society while creating a very unique partnership. With full support from the sisters, Brothers United (BU) was born. With a large and dedicated class of brothers and sisters, SOSU/BU continued to be a driving force on and off campus. In January 2003, the “/” became permanent and so, SOSU/BU was realized.