Greek Organizations and Collective Experience at W&L

Widespread Greek participation keeps W&L a welcoming, fun, and tight-knit community.

​From afar, W&L’s Greek system appears broadly in decline. The number of fraternities on campus decreased from sixteen, when I attended in the early 2000s, to eleven today. Participation in fraternities and sororities fell from nearly 90% to 71% of students.

Given these trends, I thought W&L had gone from a predominantly Greek-oriented school to one antagonistic to fraternity and sorority participation. Somehow, the collective experience that bonded students, engaged alumni, and created a strong community had fallen out of favor, threatening a key aspect of the W&L experience. But a recent trip back to campus for Alumni Weekend somewhat changed my perspective as I saw key elements of the Greek system still in place.

As I looked at colleges, I focused on three areas to help narrow my selection. I wanted a good education that prepared me for a professional career. I had no idea what I wanted to study but did know that I wanted to be prepared for the job market, whatever that meant. I also wanted to play a collegiate sport. And most relevant here, my adolescence in Tuscaloosa meant that I had experience with Greek organizations and understood the social benefits of joining a fraternity or sorority. W&L certainly provided all these opportunities.

After deciding to attend W&L, I arrived on campus in 2000 and immediately noticed the presence of the fraternities. At that time, in addition to hosting Rush parties, each fraternity hosted a tailgate at the Liberty Hall ruins.

Playing soccer my freshman year only permitted me to admire the crowds that attended the tailgates. Even from the soccer field, I could tell that the tailgates were well attended, open to all students, and hosted a mix of students, parents, and alumni. Further evidence of their popularity was the prevalence of plastic tailgate cups, each featuring a fraternity logo and date that students collected.

After attending the tailgates and the following sporting events, most fraternities hosted a band party or gathering at their house. In essence, the entire weekend social scene revolved around these shared events.

What made the W&L Greek system unique was its openness, which helped to create the shared community experience. When I attended parties in Tuscaloosa, Auburn, or Oxford, I had to contact my friends in advance to get on a pre-approved list.  When I arrived, I had to check in with someone at the door and get a wristband, letting everyone know that I had permission to be there. These gatherings were usually BYOB. Occasionally, someone was willing to give you a beer or drink, but not always.

​In contrast, whenever I went to a fraternity house at W&L, I never had to check in at the door, get a wristband, or worry about getting a drink. Everyone was always welcoming and generous, a characteristic that W&L will lose if participation continues to decline.

I fear that lower participation will lead to smaller, more exclusive houses, eliminating the benefits of a welcoming and inclusive system. This decline will ultimately reduce the shared experience which unites current students and bonds them with a tight-knit alumni network.

So, this brings me back to alumni weekend and my changed perspective. During my time on campus, I had the opportunity to visit my old fraternity house on a Friday afternoon during spring term. I met a great group of guys hanging out on the lawn and enjoying the weather. They were more than generous with their beverages and their time, reminding me of my college days.

Later, I had the chance to meet a different group of fraternity guys raising funds for St. Jude. These guys also happened to be football players, making their early morning fundraising efforts even more impressive given the time commitment that they have to the football team. (As an aside, if you are not going to the games, I encourage you to do so. These players work hard during the season and offseason, while also carrying the same academic obligation as you.)

Finally, I saw a traditional W&L band party on the lawn at Chi Psi. These experiences reassured me that the Greek system is still going strong even with less participation than in previous years.

Why does W&L’s Greek system matter? With the benefit of hindsight, I will say that it does and does not matter.

Greek participation does matter because fraternities and sororities still provide the backbone of the social scene at W&L. This not only creates memories but provides lifelong friends with whom you can always reminisce about your shared experience.

Participation does not matter because as you age and get further away from college, most people have zero interest in what house you joined. They are more interested or intrigued by your participation in the system. In essence the shared experience becomes less about individual houses and more about participation. The same can be said for athletics.

If you do not currently belong to a Greek organization, then I encourage you to reconsider. When W&L has a strong Greek system, then the community benefits. A large open social community provides a better experience for students and reduces the likelihood that the Greek system becomes exclusive. A large Greek system also provides more opportunities for students to meet and interact with alumni, who always want to visit their old houses. 

While you may worry about which house to choose, in the long run, it will not matter. What will matter is that you participated. Yes, there is education involved.  Yes, there is a fair amount of socializing. But, at the end of the day, the collective, shared experience is what makes it a hell of a lot of fun.

[The opinions expressed in this magazine are the author's own and do not reflect the official policy or position of The Spectator, or any students or other contributors associated with the magazine. It is the intention of The Spectator to promote student thought and civil discourse, and it is our hope to maintain that civility in all discussions.]