Rhode Island School of Design - Greek Life

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

It’s no secret that RISD students revel in their uniqueness and make fun of those who they perceive to be unable to think for themselves. While clearly many fraternities and sororities across the country are not the stereotypes that we all see in movies, to RISD kids, they might as well be. Psi Phi Pi exists because a group of friends thought it would be funny. They host parties and make parodies of matching outfits, but that’s about as far as it goes at RISD. If someone came into RISD and offered to set up the whole Greek system, there might not be enough interested students to fill one house.

Part of what kids are looking for when they come to art school is a community of students that does not buy into the system of what is cool and what it means to belong in the same way that a more average college experience might provide. RISD students do not want to be labeled. They are independent thinkers who are not interested in the confines of closely associating themselves with a narrowed group of people. Students who are looking for a place to be social with people of similar interests need look no farther than their majors. It is not unusual to see a group of architecture students hanging out in a bar by the BEB (architecture building), or a gaggle of girls from textiles chatting and drinking coffee in The Cable Car. The other people RISD students work and learn with become their closest friends, and school clubs and parties put them in touch with people not in their majors. That is all the community they need.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

There is no Greek life. People who... There is no Greek life. People who are involved in Greek life are mindless sheep who deserve to be eaten. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Oh, no! Greek life is too forced... Oh, no! Greek life is too forced and fake. You should be able to have fun without the extra crap and peer pressure. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Sure, there could be a Greek... Sure, there could be a Greek life—it would be fun. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

I don’t wish there was a Greek... I don’t wish there was a Greek life scene. Why would I? I’ve never understood the whole Greek thing. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

I don’t think the RISD community... I don’t think the RISD community is big enough to actually have a Greek life. Also, I think sororities and fraternities have a tendency to be exclusive. I think there are enough drinking parties around campus (just in people’s houses) that we don’t need a frat. Also, RISD students are so busy with studio; I don’t think we have time for that sort of thing. I think it’s better if people join student clubs, since I personally find it more purposeful than joining a frat. 12345 Greek Life Report

Did You Know?

There have actually been three attempts within recent years to start fraternities or sororities. Oh yeah, and they’ve all been jokes.

Most Recent Contributing Author

Name: Helen Koh
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Major: Graphic Design/Painting

Helen is very good at sandwich making.

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