Greek Life

hudsonvalley51
Mon, 28 Sep 2009 11:57:35 +0000

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.