Greek Life Review

As part of its periodic review of all student development programs, the University of Richmond announced in November of 2020 that it would conduct an internal review of Greek Life. This review was administered by Student Development, who engaged in the review process University of Richmond alumni, Greek-affiliated and unaffiliated students, and a variety of resource experts who brought national expertise and years of experience to bear on this process.

Our Purpose

We believe that Fraternity and Sorority Life can serve as a positive and beneficial experience for many students. At the same time, many in our community have shared stories and examples that make clear that Greek Life, as it currently exists today, does not align as fully with aspects of the University's mission as it can and should. To address the current shortcomings in the system, we must re-envision Greek Life to ensure that it fulfills its promise to cultivate socially responsible leaders and contribute to our community. We commit to ensuring meaningful, structural, and fundamental reform to the Greek Life system to make it one that addresses current challenges.

Our Goals

  1. Conduct a comprehensive internal review of Greek Life at the University of Richmond that is completed by the end of spring 2021
  2. Provide recommendations for change that will be shared with the Vice President for Student Development and the Director of the Center for Student Involvement
  3. Recommendations are intended to provide guidance for making substantive changes to the Greek system, which will significantly enhance the experience for the students involved but will also have a positive impact on the campus student culture
  4. Recommendations should include but not be limited to the following areas: addressing member programming, recruitment/intake of new members, engagement, and community values; and promoting inclusivity, well-being, and flourishing.

In December 2020, the mission and goals were created and students were identified to serve alongside resource experts on six working groups that were charged to examine both local and national data and come up with specific recommendations for change in the following areas:

  • Men's Recruitment, Member Engagement, and Community Values
  • Women's Recruitment, Member Engagement, and Community Values
  • Financial Inclusivity, Well-Being, and Flourishing
  • Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
  • Harm Reduction, Education, and Response: Alcohol and Other Drugs
  • Harm Reduction, Education, and Response: Interpersonal Violence and Healthy Relationships

In January 2021, the working groups were charged and began meeting. After reviewing quantitative and qualitative assessment data, working groups developed specific recommendations in each of the previously mentioned six areas. These recommendations have been prioritized into several key areas of strategic change.