After enduring several years of COVID-19 restrictions and administrative challenges, Greek Life at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is making a remarkable comeback. The road hasn't been easy, with hurdles including changes in recruitment policies and the impact of the Arch program. However, the arrival of a new administration led by President Marty Schmidt and recent developments signal a positive trajectory for the fraternity and sorority system.
Navigating Past Challenges
Before the pandemic, RPI's Greek Life faced a significant setback when the Greek Life Task Force mandated that first-year students couldn't join fraternities and sororities until their second semester. This not only hurt recruitment efforts but also limited the duration of students' membership in these organizations.
Changes in IFC membership with relation to major school policy changes.
The Arch program brought further challenges by requiring students to attend summer classes post-sophomore year, reside exclusively in campus housing, and spend a semester away from campus during their junior year. This had major financial implications, with chapters losing a semester of rent for those with houses, and created leadership turnover among juniors.
COVID-19 added yet another layer of complexity, as students became more isolated, distancing themselves from fraternities, sororities, clubs, and student government. This isolation led to a decline in recruitment numbers. Additionally, RPI's decision to close fraternity and sorority houses to student living had a significant impact on involvement, engagement, and finances.
Growth and Progress within the Greek Community
With the pandemic subsiding and a new administration under President Marty Schmidt, there is a noticeable shift in attitudes toward Greek Life, and progress is evident:
New Faces: The addition of key personnel is a notable development. Ethan Stubbs, the newly appointed Associate Dean for Fraternity and Sorority Commons, is actively working on reforms to bolster chapter leadership and education. Furthermore, Mel Daley has taken on the role of Assistant Dean for Fraternity and Sorority Commons. Notably, Nate Crowell, a member of Epsilon-Eta, contributed as a part-time intern in their office during the past semester.
Representation in IFC: Epsilon-Eta brothers Peter Crisileo and Nick Khoo have been elected to the positions of IFC President and IFC Vice President of Finance respectively, and are actively working to represent the greek community at RPI.
Number of active members in RPI Fraternities in Fall 2023
Membership Growth: Fraternity membership is on the rise, with the IFC president reporting a 10% increase from the previous year, bringing the total fraternity membership to around 500. This positive trend has been aided by Ethan Stubbs' efforts to enhance recruitment structures and planning across chapters. However, it's important to note that the Greek community remains relatively small, with an average of about 20 members per chapter. There is also significant variation in chapter sizes, with the top 5 chapters accounting for over 50% of the community.
Legislative Changes: In a significant development, RPI has relaxed its regulations concerning alcohol use. The consequences for fraternities caught with alcohol have shifted from a mandatory minimum two-year suspension to a "suggested" two-year suspension.
Improved Relations with Public Safety: The Department of Public Safety (DPS) has introduced a program designating liaisons within each chapter. This initiative has significantly enhanced communication and collaboration between chapters and the DPS, ultimately rebuilding trust within the Greek community with the hope of reducing anti-Administration sentiment.
Community Showcasing: To celebrate the vitality of Greek Life, both the IFC and Panhellenic Council (Panhel) jointly organized "Fraternity and Sorority Spirit Week" towards the end of the semester. This event provided a platform to highlight individual chapters and the Greek system as a whole.
Diverse Representation: The Greek community at RPI is actively pursuing inclusivity. The establishment of the Multicultural Sorority & Fraternity Council (MSFC) supports culturally based organizations on campus.
Advocacy for Autonomy: The IFC has been proactive in advocating for the creation of their own Judicial Board. This entity aims to assist in disciplinary hearings and potentially grant the Greek community more autonomy from the school.
Challenges Facing the Greek Community
While positive strides have been made, significant obstacles persist in the efforts to rebuild Greek Life at RPI:
“These kids are the least interested in Greek Life I’ve ever seen at any campus..”
Student Demographics: One of the primary roadblocks faced by the Greek System at RPI is the demographic of students the institution typically attracts. The average RPI student is primarily focused on their academic pursuits, with limited enthusiasm for community involvement or social activities. As an international TKE recruiter noted, RPI students are often regarded as among the least interested in Greek Life when compared to other campuses. It's not a question of capability; many of these students have the potential to be leaders and socialize, but they simply do not prioritize it. This lack of initial interest in fraternity participation presents ongoing recruitment challenges, impacting many chapters.
Apathy Toward IFC: Another enduring issue is the lack of active engagement from chapters with the Interfraternity Council (IFC). Many chapters demonstrate hesitance to fully support IFC events and initiatives. This reluctance can be attributed to the prevalent mindset of prioritizing individual chapter interests over contributing to the broader Greek community. This perspective, often characterized as a "zero-sum" mindset, obstructs the sense of unity necessary for the collective advancement of the community.
Communication Within Chapters: Diverse chapter sizes and leadership capabilities have given rise to ineffective communication about new initiatives. Consequently, trust issues persist among members, as many feel disconnected from the larger goals and intentions of individuals like Ethan Stubbs. This communication gap perpetuates a sense of skepticism among the average member toward both the Greek community and the Administration.
The Judicial Process: Despite some recent legislative improvements, RPI's policies continue to be notably stringent and rigorously enforced. This is exemplified by instances in the past semester where three chapters faced interim suspensions due to disciplinary infractions. The Judicial Process remains shrouded in opacity, leaving the community with questions about the extent and manner of punishments for various infractions.
Hope for the future
Greek Life at RPI is slowly but surely emerging from the challenges posed by the pandemic and institutional policies. While the state of Greek Life on campus remains far from perfect, with the support of a new administration, dedicated leadership, and ongoing efforts to enhance community relationships, there is an air of optimism as Greek Life aims to regain its former strength.