So, You're Curious About Greek Life at Pomona College? Here's the Real Deal

Hey there! If you're looking into Pomona, or maybe you're already a Sagehen, you might be wondering what the deal is with Greek life. It's a classic part of the American college image, right? Big houses with Greek letters, massive pledge classes, all that stuff from the movies. Well, I'm here to give you the insider scoop on what "Greek life" actually looks like at Pomona, & it's probably not what you're expecting.

Honestly, if you're picturing Animal House, you're in for a surprise. Pomona's take on this whole thing is, like most things at the 5Cs, a little different, a little more unique, & frankly, a lot more low-key.

First things first, let's get this out of the way: Pomona College does not have a traditional, national Greek system. You won't find a "frat row" with mansions lining the streets. Upwards of 90-95% of students live on campus for all four years, so the entire social scene is baked into the residence halls & the vibrant club culture, not segregated into Greek houses. This is a PRETTY big deal because it shapes the entire social fabric of the college.

Instead of a sprawling system of national fraternities & sororities, what you'll find at Pomona are a few local, student-run "fraternal organizations." Think of them less as a dominant social force & more as one of the MANY options for finding your community on campus. The college itself acknowledges these peer-led groups, but they exist alongside over 300 other student clubs & organizations across the Claremont Colleges. So, the social scene is incredibly diverse & decentralized. You've got everything from the massive "On the Loose" outdoors club that runs over 150 trips a year, to a cappella groups, to the Women's Union, to The Student Life newspaper – the oldest college paper in Southern California.

The point is, these fraternal groups are just one small slice of a very large & eclectic pie. A Reddit thread from a few years back estimated that maybe 15% of the student body was involved in these organizations, & honestly, that still feels about right, if not a little high. They're there if you want them, but they're by no means the be-all & end-all of social life at Pomona.

So, what are these mysterious organizations? Well, the landscape has shifted over the years, which is a testament to how these groups evolve with the student body.

Back in the day, there were a few more, like Nu Alpha Phi, which was a co-ed social group. They were known for hosting a party called "The Wash" at the Greek Theatre. However, according to a 2018 article in The Student Life, Nu Alpha Phi disbanded a couple of years prior to that. This is pretty common; since these are local groups not backed by a national chapter, they are entirely dependent on the interest & energy of the current students.

The two names you'll probably still hear floating around are Kappa Delta & Sigma Tau.

For a long time, Kappa Delta was known as the "jock frat" because it was primarily made up of athletes. They've been around for decades & are one of the older organizations on campus. One of their most well-known contributions to campus life was "Pub," a college-sponsored party that used to happen on Wednesday nights. It was a classic part of the Pomona social rhythm for a while. It's important to note that even these parties were very much integrated into the campus scene, often taking place in the Smith Campus Center with college staff present.

Sigma Tau is another long-standing fraternity with a history stretching back 80-100 years. What's SUPER interesting about Sigma Tau is how it has adapted over time. It used to be an all-male fraternity, but in the mid-2010s, it officially became co-ed. This was a huge move & really reflects the changing attitudes on campus.

A past co-president of Sigma Tau described the group as "just a bunch of dorks that hang out sometimes," which I think perfectly captures the vibe. Their get-togethers are more about playing board games, hanging out, & getting to know each other in a smaller, more intimate setting rather than throwing huge "ragers." They have a rush process, but it's been likened to a "middle school field day" – a week of fun activities designed to let people get to know each other. It’s a far cry from the high-pressure, often problematic rush weeks you hear about at other universities. They emphasize that there's no hazing & no pressure to drink.

The key takeaway here is that these groups at Pomona have moved away from the old, exclusionary models. The shift of Sigma Tau to a co-ed organization is a powerful example of this. The focus is much more on building a genuine community of friends.

If Greek life isn't the center of the universe, what is? The social life at Pomona is incredibly dynamic & is deeply intertwined with the other Claremont Colleges (Scripps, Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd, & Pitzer). This is what's known as the 5C experience, & it's a game-changer. Suddenly, a small liberal arts college feels much bigger & more diverse.

Your social life is what you make of it. There are parties happening across the 5Cs pretty much any weekend you want one. But there's also a huge portion of the student body that prefers to chill in the dorms, watch movies, go to a lecture, or join a club event. The culture is very much "choose your own adventure."

One thing that makes Pomona special is the strong sense of community fostered by the on-campus living requirement & the small class sizes. You'll build relationships with professors & classmates in a really organic way. You'll probably find your core group of friends in your residence hall, in your classes, or through one of the MANY clubs.

And speaking of clubs, that's where the real action is. Whether you're into social justice, ballroom dancing, improv comedy, or journalism, there is a group for you. The annual 5C Turf Dinner at the beginning of the year is where you can see all these clubs in one place, & it's a fantastic way to find your people.

With so much to do across the 5Cs & in the greater Los Angeles area, having a car can be a pretty sweet deal. You can explore different food spots in Claremont, head to the beach, or go for a hike. But let's be real, campus parking can be a bit of a nightmare. This is where a service like Prked comes in handy. It’s a pretty cool platform that connects people who need parking with homeowners who have extra space in their driveways or garages. So instead of circling the same lot for 20 minutes, you can find a convenient & affordable spot right near campus. It's a lifesaver, especially when you just want to get back to your dorm after a long day of classes or a late-night food run.

And hey, while we're on the topic of using someone's extra space, it's worth mentioning that Prked is also a great solution for summer storage. Instead of hauling all your stuff back home, you can find a nearby homeowner renting out their garage, attic, or basement for a fraction of the cost of a traditional storage unit. It's a win-win for everyone.

So, what's the verdict on Pomona College Greek life? It's not really "Greek life" in the way most people understand it. It's a small, evolving, & increasingly inclusive part of a much larger & more diverse social ecosystem. The fraternal organizations that exist are local, co-ed (or moving in that direction), & focused on building genuine friendships rather than upholding some grand, national tradition.

You won't be missing out if you don't join one. In fact, most students find their community & their social life in the residence halls, through the hundreds of 5C clubs, in their classes, & just by being a part of the vibrant, intellectual, & quirky community that is Pomona.

The beauty of Pomona is that you have the freedom to craft your own college experience. Whether that includes a fraternal organization or not is completely up to you. There's no pressure, no single dominant social path. It's all about finding what works for you.

Hope this was helpful & gives you a clearer picture of what to expect. Let me know what you think