Gustavus Adolphus College - Greek Life

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

The advantages and disadvantages to life in a Greek organization are visible not only to those within the organizations, but also to the College community over the past few years. The administration has been strict about Greek rush, with policies that threaten to suspend any organization that hazes their pledges (this came after the College garnered national attention for having to suspend rush activities). Being a Greek is not essential to fitting in and making friends at Gustavus, though it certainly doesn’t hurt anyone who wants to make new friends in new circles.

Though the Greeks do throw the best parties on campus, being a Greek at Gustavus also means that you have to love community service. The Inter-Greek Senate requires each organization to participate and host a certain number of events each semester. Included in this are community service and social awareness events such as silent auctions to fund play therapy for children, breast cancer and suicide awareness, and activities within the St. Peter community such as “painting the town” for those that cannot afford to repair their homes. The visible role that Greeks play within both the campus and local community make them beneficial, despite the drama that comes each year during “pledging” (the official term for rush at Gustavus now).

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Greek life is a part of Gustavus,... Greek life is a part of Gustavus, but not the only part. My sorority sisters are a wonderful group of women that I probably wouldn’t have gotten to know otherwise, but I value other co-curricular activities and student groups on an equal level with my experience being in a sorority. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Greek life is pretty big for the... Greek life is pretty big for the size of the student body. It’s about half, and yeah, I think it does dominate the social scene. Most of the parties are Greek-affiliated, and there isn’t one person I know who doesn’t have a friend who’s Greek. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Greeks are an important part of... Greeks are an important part of the community but definitely do not dominate. If you want to be part of the Greek system, great, but you will not feel left out or uncomfortable if you choose not to participate. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

I absolutely love the Greeks on... I absolutely love the Greeks on campus. When I came to college, I didn’t think I would be interested in rushing, but I found an organization that really upheld a lot of important values, so I looked into it. The women in Sigma Sigma Sigma were and are amazing, and so I decided to join. I can honestly say it was the best thing I did outside of class. The Greeks don’t dominate the social scene, but rather, I think that they provide the backdrop for a lot of social events found off campus. Everyone is invited to those parties, and everyone hangs out, Greek and non-Greek alike. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Greek life definitely does not... Greek life definitely does not dominate the social scene. I would say, right now in particular, Greek life is struggling a bit. The administration has really cracked down on the rush process, and I think that Greeks on campus are having a hard time finding an identity and a place. As a Greek, I would recommend it, but I would not say that it’s at all necessary for participation in social life. 12345 Greek Life Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Due to a past hazing controversy, Gustavus no longer holds an official “Greek rush” period. Rush and pre-rush are now known as “recruitment” and “pledging,” respectively. Also, unlike most schools which make rush a semester-long process, “pledging” at Gustavus is not permitted to last more than two weeks.

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