Washington & Lee University - Greek Life

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

Fraternities are absolutely huge at W&L, and have been for generations. About three out of every four guys joins a fraternity. Sororities, since coming to campus in the last decade, now attract about the same percentage of W&L women. What explains this? Students say that the small-town environment, where everything seems to shut down early, pushes them into “frats” or “srats” in order to get their share of nightlife and socializing. Plus, students try to continue the friendships they make in their first term at W&L; groups of friends often decide to join the same fraternity together. Despite the best efforts of the school administration to provide alternative entertainment, the Greek system still drives the social scene. The frats hold parties nearly every weekend, and lay it all out for a few special occasions (Homecoming, Christmas Weekend, Parents’ Weekend). Some of the more famous shindigs include Lamba Chi’s Tropical Party (complete with a two-story waterfall), Phi Kappa Phi's Forties and Floaties party, and Kappa Alpha's Beach Party and Dirty South.

The fraternity parties are open to all students who want to come. Non-Greek students, or even students from competing fraternities, are welcome. The only closed parties are fraternity-sorority mixers. W&L’s administration is cracking down on fraternities for various violations: within the past few years, one was suspended and another was kicked off indefinitely. Most recently, there have been rumblings about the administration enforcing the University’s official alcohol policy and stopping underage drinking at fraternity parties.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

Fraternities and sororities are... Fraternities and sororities are huge on campus. The percentage of total students participating in a Greek organization is unreal. However, in a small town like Lexington, it is nice to have these organizations to provide fun and nightlife. Unless you are 21, the fraternity scene is one of the few nightlife options. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

There is a lot of interaction... There is a lot of interaction between Greeks and independents, and generally everyone has both Greek and independent friends. The students are also pretty accepting. You won’t be ridiculed for deciding to be an independent. The student body is so small that it is relatively easy to interact with a great number of people, whether Greek or not. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Even the ‘loser’ frats manage to... Even the ‘loser’ frats manage to throw fun parties, albeit with a very particular audience. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

Fraternities and sororities (to a... Fraternities and sororities (to a lesser degree) are the social scene. Official party nights are Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays—you are guaranteed to have a big fraternity party on each of those nights. Alternatives are few and far between; the University tries to lure students to low-key events like acoustic evenings or outdoor activities, but to no avail. 12345 Greek Life Report

Anonymous says:

It seems like every week there is... It seems like every week there is a Greek Organization trying to get people to sign up for a charity walk/run/tennis tournament/hot dog eating contest. For Halloween, the W&L Greeks went to Wal-Mart and sponsored a Halloween Fair that hundreds of local kids enjoyed. 12345 Greek Life Report

Facts

Did You Know?

Dave Matthews Band used to play at W&L all the time until they decided to premier their “Crash” album in the Chi Psi basement in the mid-90s. They were booed offstage and have not returned to W&L since then.

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