Among the many clubs and organizations at Willamette University, students might be interested in Greek life, communities that are divided into fraternities and sororities. Greek life organizations aim to offer lifelong friendships, leadership opportunities, networking, philanthropic engagement, academic support and a strong sense of belonging. However, many students may not be aware of their existence or fully understand how they function at Willamette, what the recruitment processes look like, and what values they share.
At Willamette University, students looking to be a part of Greek life can join sororities Alpha Chi or Alpha Phi or fraternities Kappa Sigma Theta-Delta or Sigma Chi. Greek life typically uses the term "chapter" to refer to a specific local group of a fraternity or sorority. The costs for attending one of these chapters are $524, $589, $450, and $650, respectively. This money goes to international annual dues including training, webinars and member communication. It also supports chapter activities, such as sisterhood and brotherhood events, social activities and recruitments. Not all students can afford to pay these funds, but all groups provide installment plans and scholarships, so that finances will not be a burden for anyone. New members must attend one of the recruitment events held by Greek life organizations. Typically, at such events, prospective members interact with current members, demonstrating their characteristics and personalities. Another common requirement for every chapter is a GPA of 2.5.
Nationally, college fraternities and sororities often face criticism for issues like hazing, partying, sexual assault, racism and homophobia, which can contribute to students’ reluctance to join. Looking back, some members of the Willamette community may recall an incident on campus in 2013 in which screenshotted conversations between members of the Sigma Chi fraternity containing sexist and vulgar commentary about students, faculty and recruitment practices made national news. Responses included the expulsion of 12 students from the fraternity and a suspension of the fraternity by the university. However, over ten years since this incident, Sigma Chi has taken steps to foster a more responsible and values-driven environment. “We now use that example in our full-fledged education of what not to do, and not just in the sense of not letting anyone see it, but in avoiding such behavior at all,” said Harrison Beattie (’26), the president of Sigma Chi. “Our education now focuses more on leadership and values, and that incident serves as a counterexample.”
Joel Garcia-Pena (’26), the president of Kappa Sigma Theta-Delta, emphasized the fraternity’s commitment to accountability and education. “There are a lot of lectures that we go through and training mandated from the national body. We also get posters that we are required to put up in our household, including anti-hazing policy posters and a hotline number for students to call in case they witness this type of behavior,” he said. With these reforms, fraternities at Willamette strive to create a space where every participant feels safe, informed and supported.
Across the board, all chapters are actively involved in philanthropy. For example, Alpha Phi, apart from weekly chapter meetings, hosts something called Heart Health Week, which aims to raise money for women’s heart health research. “Red Dress” is one of the events organized during that week, which is open to the whole Willamette community. To raise money, hosts sell tickets for the gala concert with dance, food, snacks, soda and water served there for no extra charge. “We also organize Mock Rock, where all of fraternity and sorority life comes together to raise money for the Marion Polk Food Share,” said Laura Cady (’26), the president of Alpha Phi. “It’s an amazing way to support a great mission and have fun at the same time."
Being a member of a Greek life community also provides opportunities to receive scholarships to travel across the states and meet members of different sororities and fraternities from various colleges. Many Greek organizations offer scholarships for academic achievements, leadership development and community service. These can include funding for educational programs and conferences or even study-abroad opportunities. “Kappa Sigma Theta-Delta is the largest organization in terms of fraternities across the world. I’ve had the opportunity to travel to places like New Orleans, Charlottesville, Virginia, Las Vegas and various parts of Oregon — all funded by Kappa Sigma Theta-Delta,” commented Garcia-Pena. These trips serve as an opportunity to attend meetings, workshops and leadership training
Among the advantages of traveling and participating in charity events, the sense of community in Greek Life is also worth highlighting. By joining a sorority or fraternity, members receive a valuable resource: support and help when they need it most. “Having people around you, especially when it comes to men’s mental health, which often doesn’t get enough attention, is very important,” commented Beattie. “It’s nice to have a space where we can talk about our feelings and what’s going on in our lives, beyond just the organization itself, and know that we’re surrounded by people who trust and care for us." Most events organized by Greek life organizations are aimed at uniting and strengthening friendships.
While national perceptions of Greek life and past challenges may have shaped the way these organizations are seen on campus, Willamette’s chapters now value a commitment to growth, accountability and inclusivity. Whether through philanthropy, academic achievements or simply fostering friendships, fraternities and sororities continue to be a meaningful part of campus life. For students looking to get involved, Greek life can be a rewarding experience that extends far beyond college, building a network that lasts a lifetime.
Comments