Clark UniversityGreek Life Summary

Written by Angela Wu

Angela Wu

Hometown

Bellevue, WA

Major

Undecided

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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.