Clark University - Greek Life

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Clarkies do not have and do not want Greek life on their campus. The administration made the decision to ban fraternities and sororities years ago, and it was obviously not an unpopular decision. Most students praise the absence of Greek life and consider it one less thing they have to worry about when it comes to college—not having to decide if they want to join, no hazing, and no dichotomy between frat members’ parties and the rest of the student body. Some will speculate that sports teams function as Clark’s own brand of fraternities, but they are neither as popular nor powerful as Greek life tends to be on other campuses. They do not have a direct say in the politics of the student body, and if they were to disappear altogether, there would be little perceptible change in the social dynamic of the campus.

What Clark does have in place of Greek life—and the category that sports teams more accurately fall into—are popular, tight-knit student groups. Clark has more than 70 separate student organizations that are active all over campus. Most Clarkies are members of at least one group on campus to some degree, and the programming and events that they provide are the life-blood of the on-campus social scene. While they are not anywhere close to the lifelong brotherhood or sisterhood that Greek life is supposed to provide, they do offer Clarkies a positive outlet for socializing, community outreach, and character building.

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Students Speak Out

ClaSG says: Clark University 2016 Undecided

There is no Greek life here,... There is no Greek life here, unfortunately. 12345 Greek Life: March 01, 2009 Report

ClaST says: Clark University 2015 Biological and Biomedical Sciences

There is no Greek life at Clark,... There is no Greek life at Clark, so no frats and no sororities. I wish we had them though. 12345 Greek Life: February 18, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

What the hell is Greek life? I... What the hell is Greek life? I can’t really say I’ve experienced it, unless you’re making an innuendo. The jocks are too weak a crew at this point, but I guess they’re the best alternative to it. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

That’s what’s great about Clark;... That’s what’s great about Clark; there are no fraternities and sororities. It was great to know that hazing wouldn’t be a problem. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

I don’t know why we don’t have... I don’t know why we don’t have Greek life on campus, but I’m glad that we don’t. 12345 Greek Life Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Since the early 1980s, Clark has had a strict “no fraternity/sorority” policy in place that prevents the existence of any Greek life on campus.

There are rumors and urban legends to the tune of “someone had a son that died while pledging, so the parents gave Clark a huge endowment on the condition that they never allow fraternities again.” However, the University states that the reason for the lack of Greek life is that they “are not prepared to provide the extraordinary supervision that Greek social organizations require to maintain them as positive, healthy contributors to student life.”

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Angela Wu
Hometown: Bellevue, WA
Major: Undecided

Angela is allergic to apples, peaches, plums, pears, and cat fur.

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