![]() Fraternity men are three times more likely to commit rape than their non-Greek peers. If universities claim to reject racism and classism, can they allow these segregated institutions to remain on their campuses?Īnother glaring issue associated with Greek life is its large role in perpetuating sexual assault on campus. ![]() The financial and racial exclusivity of Greek life is a serious concern for many, especially as discussions and protests surrounding racial inequities sweep the country. Although many schools do not publish information on the demographics of their Greek organizations, this is far from unique to the University of Alabama. At the University of Alabama in 2015, less than one percent of both IFC and Panhellenic members were black, while black students made up almost 11 percent of the student body. While there is generally not public information on the national demographics of the Interfraternity or Panhellenic Councils, these organizations have a reputation of being predominantly white. According to Abolish Greek Life, the economic exclusivity of Greek life perpetuates elitism by providing wealthy white college students a pathway to opportunity. senators are affiliated with fraternities. While only 8.5 percent of American male college students are fraternity members, 85 percent of Supreme Court justices since 1910, and, historically, 85 percent of Fortune 500 executives and 76 percent of U.S. ![]() ![]() Such exclusive access contributes to social stratification on college campuses and beyond. Paying to join an IFC fraternity or Panhellenic sorority gives members access to an exclusive social scene, alumni connections, and more. Greek life is inherently exclusive the dues alone prevent many students from even considering joining a Greek organization. In an interview conducted by the authors, Henry Haney, a senior at UNC who disafilliated from his fraternity, said, “While I made a lot of great relationships and memories in my organization-and felt that mine held itself to a higher standard than other organizations-ultimately I decided I had wedged myself into an organization that is toxically cis/heteronormative and not representative of the UNC community.” Many students in Greek life have left their organizations in order to show support for the Abolish Greek Life movement. Greek life is deeply embedded in college culture, but students at UNC, Duke, Vanderbilt, and numerous other universities are advocating for the abolition of Greek life, specifically historically white social fraternities and sororities (Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic), on their campuses. Despite the long history and popularity of Greek life both at UNC and across the country, many students are calling for the abolition of Greek life in its entirety due to exclusion, sexual assault, and community safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, giving rise to the “Abolish Greek Life” movement. Dating back to 1851, Greek Life at UNC now comprises 61 organizations and almost 4,000 members, which is about 20% of the undergraduate student body. *This article discusses sensitive topics such as sexual assault.įraternities and sororities have had a strong presence on college campuses since the early 1800s and currently exist at over 630 universities in the United States.
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