Princeton UniversityGreek Life Summary

Written by Kristen McCarthy

Kristen McCarthy

Hometown

Mahwah, N.J.

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Princeton University does not officially recognize the fraternities and sororities that exist on campus. Unofficially, the University has been trying for years to figure out whether to incorporate the existing Greek system into campus life or how to rid the campus of any form of Greek system. Fraternities initially started on Princeton's campus in the 1840s, but, fearing the deterioration of Princeton's celebrated debate societies, the administration forbade any Greek presence on campus. Without houses and without recognition from the University, Princeton's modern Greek system does not have much of a presence on campus and most students are disinterested in the system.

Greek life is somewhat intertwined with the eating club system, particularly in the bicker clubs. While men choose to rush only one fraternity, women rush all sororities and are almost always guaranteed a bid from at least one. The pledge process for women is extremely tame, whereas, for the majority of fraternities, the pledge process is much more involved. Greek organizations give freshmen and sophomores social options outside of their residential colleges. Greek life can also pave the way for some students into selective bicker clubs. There are no fraternity or sorority houses on or near campus, so the system relies entirely upon room parties and off-campus events, such as formals and tailgates. Greek life does not limit one's group of friends and can serve as a way for normally shy students to open up and meet people outside of their residential college before making the decision sophomore year regarding their eating options.