Abstract

Data from the University's administration of the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) in 2020 indicates that seniors who participated in Greek Life have statistically higher satisfaction with important measures of student success such as being part of an inclusive community, instruction in their major courses, and the opportunity for involvement in campus activities.

Seniors who participated in Greek Life rated their overall satisfaction with their experience at the University of Richmond and their sense of belonging more positively than seniors who did not participate in Greek Life. Both of these attributes contribute to students' success and retention and speak to the positive impact of Greek Life at UR.

However, a culture of alcohol use and abuse associated with Greek Life must be addressed at the University of Richmond. The CORE Alcohol and Drug Survey was "developed to measure alcohol and other drug usage, attitudes, and perceptions among college students at two-and four-year institutions." UR-specific data from the 2019 CORE indicated that University of Richmond students consume alcohol at rates higher than their peers nationally.

Some students express concerns about potential connections between excessive drinking and sexual misconduct. Students also voiced concerns about the manner in which females are sometimes objectified at fraternities.

Finally, unaffiliated students and students of color shared a number of examples related to the manner in which unaffiliated students, particularly unaffiliated students of color, feel "othered" on campus. A number of systems, symbols, and structures contribute to this othering.

The system-wide recommendations that have been developed are offered to leverage what we believe to be the strengths of the Greek Life system at the University of Richmond while addressing its current shortcomings.