2008 Woodie Awards
Alumni Column - Multi-faceted Greek Life at Colgate
Sara J. Compter
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Commentary
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Over the last several weeks, many students at Colgate have participated in a process undergone by generations of men and women at colleges and universities across the country. While known to our grandparents by a different name, Greek "Recruitment" opens a window of opportunity for eligible students at Colgate. Fraternities and sororities offer something unique on a college campus. They offer a longstanding connection to a more expansive organization. In pledging their collegiate years to a Greek chapter, members agree to uphold standards and values adhered to throughout the country. In doing so, they forge relationships not only with their current brothers and sisters at Colgate and nationwide, but also with thousands of men and women, old and young alike, who have been pledging fraternal organizations for centuries.
Many institutions in Colgate's peer group have eliminated their Greek-letter organizations -- some to improve their rankings in U.S. News & World Report, some for fear of liability, and still others to concentrate on a different breed of social club. The Colgate administration, alumni and students, on the other hand, have embraced the long-standing tradition and distinct value of Greek life. Unlike schools that have replaced Greek-letter organizations with eating clubs or residential communities, Colgate has found a balance where our fraternities and sororities exist alongside a veritable smorgasbord of rotating theme houses. Whether your interest is Asian, environmental or sophomoric, Colgate offers the opportunity to build a bricks-and-mortar community to fulfill your needs.
But the type of group that once inhabited every Broad Street house offers something special for the current student and future alum. Beyond the parties, intramural teams and '80s cover bands, Greek life presents an environment primed for teaching important life skills about networking, leadership, and contributing philanthropically.
Networking: Colgate's small student body contributes to the development of cross-class relationships as early as your first day on campus. And while sophomore recruitment allows students to define their Colgate persona very early on, women's formal rotation schedules and men's open house introductions mirror the cocktail parties and networking events popular in the professional world. Mutual selection defines the recruitment process; Greek chapters and potential new members spend time throughout the week getting to know one another as intimately as is possible with small talk over drinks, snacks and short activities.
Many institutions in Colgate's peer group have eliminated their Greek-letter organizations -- some to improve their rankings in U.S. News & World Report, some for fear of liability, and still others to concentrate on a different breed of social club. The Colgate administration, alumni and students, on the other hand, have embraced the long-standing tradition and distinct value of Greek life. Unlike schools that have replaced Greek-letter organizations with eating clubs or residential communities, Colgate has found a balance where our fraternities and sororities exist alongside a veritable smorgasbord of rotating theme houses. Whether your interest is Asian, environmental or sophomoric, Colgate offers the opportunity to build a bricks-and-mortar community to fulfill your needs.
But the type of group that once inhabited every Broad Street house offers something special for the current student and future alum. Beyond the parties, intramural teams and '80s cover bands, Greek life presents an environment primed for teaching important life skills about networking, leadership, and contributing philanthropically.
Networking: Colgate's small student body contributes to the development of cross-class relationships as early as your first day on campus. And while sophomore recruitment allows students to define their Colgate persona very early on, women's formal rotation schedules and men's open house introductions mirror the cocktail parties and networking events popular in the professional world. Mutual selection defines the recruitment process; Greek chapters and potential new members spend time throughout the week getting to know one another as intimately as is possible with small talk over drinks, snacks and short activities.
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