<p>I'm a junior and I'm creating my college list. The problem is, right now it's really long. So, I've been lurking around CC for awhile on the boards of the colleges I'm interested in, and checking out Fiske's Guide, CP, school websites, etc...</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm finding this trend when it comes to Kenyon. A lot of "sources" seem to suggest that Kenyon has excessive greek life for a campus so small, and it can be suffocating to the social community for students not involved. Personally, I have nothing against greek life, but I also have no desire to actually join a sorority. I'm worried that the social situation at Kenyon then would not be very good.</p>
<p>I'm seriously considering taking Kenyon off my list because of this. I like the school for its small community and excellent writing program, but I'm not willing to sacrifice a positive social atmosphere. But I like Kenyon...so, can anyone confirm or deny this claim of "excessive greek life?" Do you feel it has a negative effect on campus community, etc?</p>
<p>Sororities are a small part of social life...not really an issue at all. Frats are a larger part, but from what I have heard and read, reigned in by the administration over the past few years. There should be plenty of independent apartment parties etc, not to mention movies, plays and other non-party activities.</p>
<p>It’s only 30% of men and even fewer women who join frats and sororities. They are definitely not suffocating, but they, along with a few sports teams, do take the lead in hosting open parties. While it’s not uncommon to go to app parties with your friends, open parties in the lounges tend to be frat run. This isn’t because another group couldn’t host an open party, but as a matter of fulfilling the school’s party policy for open parties, the frats are the most organized and in the best position to do so. The dean of students Tammy Gocial recently resigned. She was wildly unpopular among students due in part to a perception that she was anti-frat and didn’t trust students further than she could throw them (which was admittedly a remarkably long way for a female). Her departure may have a positive impact on the social life at Kenyon.</p>
<p>There’s plenty of stuff to do even if you don’t want to be involved in frat stuff. I was visting this weekend and while I went to a frat party, a couple of my friends went to a play. This weekend alone there were at least 3 concerts, 2 plays, a couple parties, and some sports games. I mean, you are in the middle of Ohio but you’re not completely isolated.</p>
<p>I am a Kenyon freshman so I don’t know everything, but this is what I think:<br>
Fraternities and sororities at Kenyon are different than other places. Other people talk about frat parties with such disdain, at Kenyon all-campus parties can be awesome, and they are typically hosted by frats… so I guess that makes them frat parties, but the frat has so little to do with it… it’s just different than what I used to imagine a frat party was. I actually love the fact that Kenyon is such a small community that we can have all-campus parties where literally everyone is invited.<br>
When I was applying to colleges I turned down a couple places for being too Greek, but Kenyon is different. The frats/sororities don’t have houses to themselves, they just live in divisions in the dorms, and I think that makes a difference. Another thing to be aware of is that the biggest Greek organization at Kenyon isn’t a frat or sorority. The Archons are a co-ed Greek society with 100+ members committed to community service. They are completely non-exclusive and they come up with the best themes for parties. A couple acapella groups are also probably as about as strong as fraternities, and they host good parties too.<br>
Essentially: If you want a big party there’s a good chance its going to be Greek, but not in a bad way, and certainly not in a way that us “suffocating to the social community.” There’s also a lot of opportunity for small non-Greek get-togethers.</p>