So You're Thinking About Going Greek at Cornell? An Insider's Guide
Hey there, future Cornellian, or maybe you're already on campus & feeling a little curious about that big slice of the student body involved in fraternities & sororities. Let's be honest, when you hear "Greek life," a lot of images probably pop into your head, thanks to Hollywood. But what's the real deal at a place like Cornell? As someone who's seen it from the inside, I'm here to give you the lowdown on everything you need to know about Cornell's vibrant, historic, & sometimes complicated Greek scene.
Cornell's Greek life is one of the oldest & largest in the country, with roots stretching all the way back to 1868, the university's founding year. In fact, Cornell's first president, Andrew Dickson White, was a big supporter of fraternities, seeing them as a way to teach students about self-governance. Today, about a third of the undergraduate student population—we're talking over 3,000 students—are part of a fraternity or sorority. That's a HUGE chunk of the student body, so it's definitely a major part of the social fabric of the university.
But what does that actually mean for you? Well, it means you've got options. A LOT of them. With over 50 recognized chapters, there's a pretty good chance you can find a group of people who you'll click with. Whether you're looking for a tight-knit brotherhood, a supportive sisterhood, or a community that shares your cultural background, there's a chapter for pretty much everyone.
The Three Pillars of Cornell Greek Life: IFC, Panhellenic & MGFC
Cornell's Greek life is organized under three main governing councils, each with its own unique vibe & recruitment process. Understanding the differences between them is the first step to figuring out where you might belong.
The Interfraternity Council (IFC)
The IFC is the largest of the three councils, with 29 member fraternities, including two that are co-ed. These are the traditional fraternities you've probably seen in movies, with big houses on North & West Campus. The IFC's core values are leadership, service, brotherhood, & scholarship, & they take these pretty seriously.
The IFC recruitment process, often called "rush," happens in the spring semester for freshmen, with a smaller version in the fall for transfer students. It's a more informal process than sorority recruitment, with a series of "open house" events where you can visit different chapters, meet the brothers, & get a feel for their personalities. It's a mutual selection process, so both you & the fraternities are trying to find the best fit.
One of the big draws of IFC fraternities is the housing. Many of the chapters have their own houses, which can be a more affordable option than living in a dorm or a Collegetown apartment. These houses often come with some pretty sweet perks, like private chefs, in-house libraries, gyms, & free laundry.
The Panhellenic Council (PHC)
The Panhellenic Council is the governing body for Cornell's 11 National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities. These are the traditional sororities, & their mission is to foster a supportive environment that values scholarship, philanthropy, leadership, & personal growth through sisterhood.
Panhellenic recruitment is a more structured process than IFC rush, also taking place in the spring. It consists of four rounds of events, each with a different theme, designed to help you get to know each chapter on a deeper level. It's a mutual selection process, just like with the fraternities, where you'll ultimately decide which sorority is the right fit for you. For those who don't go through formal recruitment, there's also a process called Continuous Open Bidding (COB), where chapters that haven't reached their membership capacity can extend bids to new members.
Like the fraternities, many of the Panhellenic sororities have their own houses, which can be a great place to live & bond with your sisters. These houses often have live-in advisors who provide support & guidance to the chapter members.
The Multicultural Greek & Fraternal Council (MGFC)
The Multicultural Greek & Fraternal Council is made up of 15 culturally-based fraternities & sororities, including organizations that are historically Black, Latinx-based, African-Social Justice, & Asian-interest. The MGFC's mission is to promote unity & serve as a support system for its member organizations, while also advocating for the issues & concerns of the underrepresented student community.
The recruitment process for MGFC chapters is a little different from the IFC & Panhellenic councils. Some chapters have a more formal recruitment process at the beginning of each semester, while others generate interest through events they host throughout the year. Many MGFC chapters also have a "Week of Events" that focus on culture, service, & social activities. This is a great way to get to know the members & learn more about the chapter's values & traditions.
The Nitty-Gritty: What You Really Want to Know
So now you know the basics about the different councils & their recruitment processes. But what about the stuff that REALLY matters? Let's get into the details.
The Cost of Going Greek
Let's not beat around the bush, joining a fraternity or sorority isn't free. But it's also not as expensive as you might think. In fact, living in a fraternity house is often more affordable than living in a dorm or a Collegetown apartment.
Here's a breakdown of the costs you can expect:
- New Member Fees: This is a one-time fee you'll pay when you join a chapter. It covers things like your initiation fees & new member materials. These can range from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars.
- Chapter Dues: These are recurring fees you'll pay each semester. They cover the day-to-day operations of the chapter, including social events, philanthropy, & leadership development programs. These can also vary widely, from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars per semester.
- Housing & Dining: If you choose to live in a chapter house, you'll have to pay for room & board. The cost of this can vary depending on the chapter & the type of room you have, but it's often comparable to or even less than living on campus.
It's important to remember that these are just averages, & the actual cost of joining a fraternity or sorority will depend on the chapter you join. But don't let the cost be a deterrent. Many chapters offer scholarships & payment plans to help make Greek life more affordable.
The Social Scene: More Than Just Parties
Let's be real, a big part of the appeal of Greek life is the social scene. & at Cornell, it's definitely a big part of the experience. Fraternity parties are a staple of the weekend social scene, especially for freshmen. But there's a lot more to it than that.
Greek chapters host a wide variety of social events throughout the year, including:
- Date Functions: These are themed parties where members can bring a date.
- Formals: These are more formal events, often held at off-campus venues.
- Mixers: These are social events with other Greek chapters, a great way to meet new people.
- Sisterhood & Brotherhood Events: These are events just for the members of a chapter, designed to help them bond & build stronger relationships.
But it's not all about parties. Greek chapters also host a lot of other events, like movie nights, study breaks, & intramural sports. There's always something going on, so you'll never be bored.
Giving Back: The Philanthropic Side of Greek Life
One of the things that people often don't know about Greek life is how much they give back to the community. Philanthropy is a central component of the Greek experience at Cornell, with chapters raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity each year.
Each chapter has its own national philanthropy that they support, but they also participate in a number of campus-wide philanthropic events, such as:
- Greeks Give Back: This is a day of service where members of all three councils come together to volunteer at various locations in the Ithaca community.
- Collegetown Cleanup: This is an annual event where Greek chapters help to clean up the streets of Collegetown.
- Blood Drives: The Greek Tri-Council hosts a blood drive each semester, which is open to the entire Cornell community.
In addition to these larger events, individual chapters also host their own philanthropy events throughout the year, like bake sales, 5Ks, & charity sports tournaments.
The Academic & Professional Edge
Believe it or not, joining a fraternity or sorority can actually be good for your grades. The average GPA of a fraternity member at Cornell is consistently higher than the average GPA of a non-Greek male student. This is because chapters provide a lot of academic support to their members, including study groups, tutoring, & workshops on time management & study skills.
But the benefits don't stop there. Greek life can also give you a serious leg up in your career. The alumni network of a fraternity or sorority is a powerful resource, providing you with connections to people in a wide variety of industries. Many chapters have alumni groups on websites like LinkedIn, where you can connect with alumni in your field & get advice on your career path.
The Not-So-Glamorous Side: Hazing & Safety
It would be dishonest to talk about Greek life without addressing the issue of hazing. Unfortunately, it's a reality at colleges across the country, & Cornell is no exception. The university has a strict anti-hazing policy, & all new members are required to complete a hazing prevention course. But despite these efforts, hazing still happens.
In recent years, several Cornell fraternities have been suspended for hazing allegations, & in 2019, a student died in a hazing-related incident. These are serious issues, & it's important to be aware of them before you decide to join a fraternity or sorority.
Is Greek Life Right for You? The Pros & Cons
So, after all that, you might be wondering if Greek life is the right choice for you. Here's a quick rundown of the pros & cons to help you decide.
The Pros:
- A built-in community: One of the biggest benefits of Greek life is the instant community you'll have. You'll be surrounded by a group of people who will support you, challenge you, & become some of your closest friends.
- Leadership opportunities: Greek chapters are run by students, so you'll have plenty of opportunities to develop your leadership skills.
- Networking: The alumni network of a fraternity or sorority is a powerful resource that can help you in your career.
- Social life: There's always something going on in the Greek community, so you'll never be bored.
- Philanthropy: Greek life gives you the opportunity to give back to the community & make a difference in the world.
The Cons:
- The cost: Joining a fraternity or sorority can be expensive, so you'll need to factor that into your budget.
- The time commitment: Being a member of a Greek chapter takes up a lot of time, so you'll need to be prepared to balance your academic, social, & extracurricular commitments.
- Hazing: Hazing is a serious issue in the Greek community, & it's something you need to be aware of before you join.
- The "bubble" effect: It can be easy to get caught up in the Greek life bubble & not venture out to meet other people on campus.
A Note on Parking & Storage
Living in a chapter house or a Collegetown apartment can sometimes come with a bit of a parking headache. If you're struggling to find a spot for your car, you might want to check out Prked. It's a pretty cool service that connects people who need parking with homeowners who have extra space in their driveways or garages. It can be a convenient & affordable way to find a parking spot close to campus.
& if you find that your chapter house room or apartment is a little on the small side, Prked can also help with that. They have a storage solution where you can rent out someone's garage, attic, basement, or even a closet to store your extra stuff. It's a great way to declutter your living space without having to get rid of your belongings.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, the decision of whether or not to go Greek is a personal one. There are a lot of great things about being in a fraternity or sorority, but it's not for everyone. I hope this guide has given you a better understanding of what Greek life at Cornell is all about & has helped you to make an informed decision.
Let me know what you think in the comments below! I'd love to hear your thoughts on Cornell's Greek scene.
