Middlebury College - Greek Life

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Fraternities and sororities were “outlawed” more than 10 years ago at Middlebury—that is, until they were reborn under the name “social houses,” a much more innocuous-sounding title. Rushing is not nearly as life threatening as it used to be, and any daunting initiation stunts are overshadowed by sugarcoated photos in the student newspaper of rushers sharing spaghetti dinners with older members. The large majority of students do not join social houses, but no student has ever been turned away from a party, regardless of age. You will be stamped with a smiley face at the door if you’re over 21 and with an “X” if you’re underage.

If your first criterion in searching for a college is a rampant, old-fashioned Greek scene, Middlebury would not be the school for you. Here, all images of boisterous toga parties and death-defying initiation stunts are put to rest for the sake of a safer—yet no less inebriated—student body. Most students find this lack of Greek presence refreshing. Furthermore, social house life is geographically removed from the College—all houses are located on the outskirts of campus. The choice is yours: Join a social house without risking your neck, attend the occasional social house party, and bid your morality farewell for the night, or skip the unhinged carnality and cheap beer altogether.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The social house scene is rather... The social house scene is rather dominant and rather lame. Social houses throw many of the major parties on campus, but no one is a social outcast for not joining a social house at Middlebury. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Technically, there is no Greek... Technically, there is no Greek life at Middlebury. There are no sororities or fraternities, but there are social houses, which are basically the same thing. They are normally the people who throw the parties, but they do not dominate the social scene in any way. People are not perceived differently if they join a social house, for the most part. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

The social houses do not dominate... The social houses do not dominate social life on campus. They can provide a good opportunity to meet people and have a tight social circle, but life can be equally satisfying as a non-member. Parties are usually not limited to members, so it’s not necessary to rush to take part. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

There are no Greek houses,... There are no Greek houses, although there are coed ‘social houses.’ While they do not dominate the social scene, they do seem to dominate nightlife, as many students on campus attend their parties. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Middlebury has social houses.... Middlebury has social houses. However, one can have a very active social life without ever attending a social- house party. 12345 Greek Life Report

Did You Know?

Rumor has it that there are several underground fraternities and sororities on campus, some of which are associated with certain sports teams. However, they are so hush-hush that no one can confirm their existence—either that, or they are sworn to secrecy.

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Maggie Carter
Hometown: Eastford, CT
Major: International Studies

Maggie was an internationally ranked, competitive trampolinist during her middle school years.

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