Rice University - Greek Life

We don't do Greek life. We are a...

We don't do Greek life. We are a residential college system. It's basically like Harry Potter. It's a really great environment, because there is a great deal of competition between each college, but we are all unified as Rice students. It makes for a great party scene too.

The residential colleges replace...

The residential colleges replace Greek life here. In my mind, it gives you most of the benefits of a Greek system without all of the negatives. There is no exclusivity; everyone is a member of a residential college from day one. You have a built-in network of people who are like your family — you eat with them, study with them, and party with them. That's not to say, however, that the residential colleges are insular; it is very possible to transcend the college system while still maintaining an active role in your own college. I'm in an executive position at Lovett, but one of my best friends is at Brown, and my girlfriend is from Will Rice.

We have something better than a...

We have something better than a Greek system. The whole school can be an active part of it if they choose to. It doesn’t single people out the way Greek life does. College systems dominate the social scene in the way that the same people are at all the parties—these are the people you’ll get to know if you choose to participate. Honestly, the college system is the most unique thing about Rice, and I think it’s a really nice aspect of campus life.

Instead of having a Greek system,...

Instead of having a Greek system, Rice operates by something called the college system, modeled after one used by Oxford and other prestigious universities in England. Every incoming student is randomly assigned to one of nine residential colleges, each with their own traditions and camaraderie. The result is something like a smaller and more personable subset of the University; one that feels less like a dorm and more like a family. The strong bonding that takes place within the colleges, combined with the absolute all-inclusiveness, creates an environment that possesses all the good elements of a Greek system and none of the bad. Every college has its various strengths, points of pride, and odd quirks, but every Rice student is thoroughly convinced that his or her college is the best.

No Greek life at Rice, just dorms...

No Greek life at Rice, just dorms which basically serve as fraternities. Each college has its own personality, traditions, and cheers. I personally find it a little juvenile, but every once and a while I get in the spirit. I lived off campus and loved it. I’ll be on campus my senior year for convenience’s sake. I’d say the downfall is that being in the same dorm for four years limits people from getting to know other people, but most people at Rice would want to burn me at the stake for saying such things. They love their colleges. More power to them.