Barnard College
- Greek Life

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Most people could maybe name a handful of Greek organizations on the joint campuses of Columbia and Barnard, which puts Greek life at only a slightly better place than Columbia football. A few of the girls on campus that belong to sororities look the part, but mostly you can’t tell who is who. It’s not like other schools where certain ‘types’ of girls join certain sororities. They all just kind of blend in by being equally unknown. There are more “I love New York” shirts on campus than Greek ones. In fact, the only way some people know that Barnard and Columbia even have a Greek system is Greek Week, which is a week in which all the organizations get together and compete in games all over campus.

The best thing about Greek life on campus is their sorority and fraternity houses, which are nothing at all like the large traditional-looking houses you find at other schools. At Barnard and Columbia, Greek Row is on the south side of campus and is made up of brownstones, which is also a testament to their tiny size. The people who are involved in sororities and fraternities are very involved, but most people just don’t join a Greek organization—partially because of the expense and also because you just don’t hear how to go about getting in. I mean, I’m sure that if you really wanted to join a sorority for some reason you’d be able to figure out what you have to do to pledge, but so few people are involved in Greek life here, I don’t know why you’d want to join, anyway.

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Greek Life at Barnard College

bc2013

'13

Japanese Language and Literature

3.1

B-

Meh.

Though Greek life does not have a huge presence at Barnard, Barnard has a huge presence in Greek life. Nearly, if not actually, half of the women in sororities are Barnard women. Still, you don't see the influence of the Greek system at Barnard, which I think is nice. if you want it, its there. If you don't care, you'll never have to think about it.

May 05, 2011

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Greek Life at Barnard College

vjelly

'13

Health Care

N/A

Greek Life

Barnard doesn't have a greek system, though girls can join the columbia sorority groups. Greek life is not a big part of the social atmosphere of the campus. You can join, or you don't have to. It doesn't matter.

Jun 29, 2010

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Greek Life at Barnard College

lp2145

'12

English

Greek life is a great part of the...

Greek life is a great part of the College community. It's too easy for those outside the community to comment on and make judgments about it without really understanding what it's like. Sorority recruitment is highly selective. We are not unknown in the social scene or in student groups, and if a student has never met a member of a sorority, that is more attributed to his narrow social circle than to Greek life's lack of presence. Sororities at Columbia are a great way to meet other students—male or female—that you would have never had an opportunity to meet without Greek life. There are so many people I would have never gotten to know without Greek life, and I am so glad I had the opportunity to make friendships with all different kinds of people, not just the ones I am automatically drawn to.

Jun 08, 2009

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What is Greek life’s role in the campus social scene?

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What kind of housing is available for Greek students?

How difficult is it to get into a fraternity or sorority?

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