threegirls

My daughter is very interested in Lafayette--loves the campus, size, location, etc. My only hesitation is the percentage of kids in frats/sororities (40+% according to school stats). She's not interested in greek life and doesn't want to feel left out. Do kids not involved in greek life feel left out of the campus community?

coskat

I would think with 60% not involved in Greek life there shouldn't be a problem. My DD & I attended a local Lafayette presentation last week and the student reps when asked said this wasn't an issue and there is a good community feel to the whole campus.

jyber209

My son is at Lafayette and his campus life does not involve Greek life at all, at least so far as I know, and he fills me in pretty well. Several members of his "group" are young women who have not chosen the sorority path. It seems to me that belonging to a frat or sorority is an option that some want to pursue, but there is no issue for those who do not choose that route. By the way, some young women who belong to sororities do not live there, living in dorms instead. Your D should have many opportunities at Laf to affiliate with clubs or organizations in which she has an interest.

hudsonvalley51

threegirls -- First of all, 40%+ of Lafayette students are NOT members of the Greek community. The number is closer to 30%. Secondly, Lafayette's greek community has been declining in numbers. As of this fall there are only five fraternities left on campus (the number was 19 about 30 years ago). There are six sororities, but the vast majority of members live in on-campus housing, not in sorority houses.

My daughter had absolutely no intention of joining a sorority when she went to Lafayette last fall. This year she decided to participate in rush, but still was leaning against going greek, so we were a little surprised when she decided to join a sorority. What she found appealing was the focus on academics, charitable work and involvement in the Lafayette community. She was concerned before rush that there might be some subtle pressure to break away from non-greek friendships formed during her freshman year but that concern has proved to be entirely unjustified. Her best friend is an independent, as is her roommate and the majority of her immediate circle. What has happened is that her circle of friends and acquaintences has expanded, which isn't a bad thing for a kid who has always been fairly introspective and academically oriented.

I wouldn't worry about Lafayette being "too Greek." According to my daughter and her friends the vast majority of kids view themselves as Lafayette students first, and secondly as members of the drama club, Hillel, volleyball team or what-have-you.

threegirls

hudsonvalley51 and jyber209, Thanks for the feedback on Greek life. It has reassured me that Lafayette would be a good fit for my daughter. It seems like both of your kids are happy with Lafayette and greek life is not ruling the campus.

Lafalum84

I'd echo what was said above. S went to Lafayette with no intention of joining a frat. He changed his mind 2nd semester soph year and pledged, and is happy with his decision. But he was not bored before he pledged, and he has many friends who are not in frats or sororities. His frat has given him opportunities for leadership and making new friends, without seeming to cut his connections to his non-Greek friends.

In the distant past, Greek life did "rule" Lafayette's campus, but from what my son says that is no longer the case. It takes a long time for old reputations to die, though.