Swarthmore College - Greek Life

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Greek life is almost nonexistent at Swarthmore. The few die-hards that remain in the frats throw pretty decent parties throughout the year, but the frats are by no means a major social force at Swarthmore. There are no sororities at Swarthmore, and there are a few complaints about this from a tiny minority of girls on campus. In general, though, Swatties are happy that Greek life is practically invisible on campus. The main reason for this is that many Swatties see sorority life as a haven for cliquish behavior and exclusivism.

Although there are buildings on campus designated for the two fraternities, fraternity members do not live in the houses, but use the buildings for additional party space and fraternity events. Although pledges continue to come in from first-year classes, some students say the fraternities were dealt a death blow after the abolition of football on campus. Swarthmore is definitely not the school for students who are looking to become the next Otter or Bluto.

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Students Speak Out

lavacake says: Swarthmore College 2012 Social Sciences

Greek Life's Kind of Insular C- The frats don't really bring much to the community as a whole, and they don't have nearly enough parties. But they seem to be a lot of fun for the people who are in them. In general, people at Swarthmore kind of look down on being in a frat or in LaSS, the girls' equivalent to a sorority. It's a good place to start if you're looking for someone attractive, though. 12345 Greek Life: January 12, 2010 Report

Anonymous says:

There are two small fraternities... There are two small fraternities and no sororities at Swat. The fraternities do throw a significant percentage of the parties on campus (and all of the frat parties are open to anyone), but otherwise, they’re definitely not that important in the social scene. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

We have a small Greek presence... We have a small Greek presence here; there are only two frats and there are no sororities. It doesn’t dominate the social scene and, in my old age, I’ve actually come to see frat parties as a sort of complement to the regular, non-Greek parties. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Being Greek at Swarthmore is like... Being Greek at Swarthmore is like being a cat at the Westminster Dog Show! 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

There is no Greek social... There is no Greek social domination here because there are only two frats and no sororities. Greek life is generally despised at Swat for being stereotypically cliquish or something. Usually, select people party with the frats and it’s the same every weekend. I have no problem with them, though. They’re fun guys, and very nice, too. There is no shadiness there. 12345 Greek Life Report

Facts

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