About 32-40% of students participate in Greek life, according to what the University publishes. I understand only a few students do not get a bid for a sorority or fraternity (sounds like most are weeded out early in the process). Being one of those few not to get a bid sounds like much more of a nightmare than an 18 year old can handle. The deans have the short list of the kids who were not invited, but what are they doing with it?
This is a great question and I’d like to hear the answer. I’d also like to hear from some Richmond students who did not pledge about what their social life is like. My older son is at another college that is big into fraternities. Although you’d consider him the “perfect” fraternity catch (3.8 gpa, outgoing, good-looking, athletic, nice…) he did not get a bid and it really affected his self-esteem and how he felt about his college. His social life has changed drastically and the first question every girl asks him is “What fraternity are you in?” Ugh! My younger son wants nothing to do with frats due to that, so I’d like to know what this is like at Richmond.
Nobody cares whether you’re associated here or not- nobody even asks really. Im not in a sorority and have no interest in it- same with many of my friends. The thing about Greek life at U of R is that the sororities and fraternities don’t have houses, so they don’t live together. The students are integrated in with everyone else in the dorms. You also will not lose a friend if they rush and you don’t or you rush for different chapters. It doesn’t affect social life at all because there are plenty of events on campus, especially those hosted by CA (cultural advisors) alternatives. Those events are alcohol free.
Im not sure the deans have a list of those who don’t get a bid (which is extremely rare). Even if they do, it is not shared and is completely confidential. No one would know you didn’t get a bid unless you told them.
I can only report what my freshman D shares. She had no interest in rushing. Most of her friends did not rush. She had one friend pledge and another not receive a bid. The girl was pretty down but several on her floor got together and took her out for dessert to remind her she isn’t alone. D’s in several organizations, some whose membership is very heavy Greek and others where hardly anyone is Greek. It’s not an issue. I do know that there are far more girls in the UR Greek system than guys.
I’ll admit, D has a negative view of the Greek system on campus. Part of that i just how she’s pre-programmed though. She did say there is one Frat on campus where all the guys she’s met are super nice and seem very normal. Still not interested in going to their parties but not totally un-date-able lol.
There are campus sponsored activities each weekend. Most of the non-Greek parties happen in the apartments (I do know my D has attended a couple themed parties hosted by friends from her activities.) It can be tough for freshman to get off campus. Not many have cars. The shuttles are pretty limited. There are lots of hanging out and watching horrible reality TV over pizza in the rec rooms. Still, D is having a great time.
What do the deans do with the list of kids that don’t get bids? I couldn’t say. I will say that the support network in the school is strong. I’ve been impressed with the level of staff interaction my D gets. She has the sniffles and someone is reaching out to see if she’s OK. She got several birthday emails and cards from staff. She wasn’t there a week before teachers that weren’t even hers were reaching out. If the deans have the list, it wouldn’t surprise me if someone was paying attention to how the kids are doing.
I’m a student here in Greek Life. At Richmond the greek parties are always welcome to pretty much everyone. The only time parties aren’t open are at socials, but those aren’t often and there’s always other parties. So if you don’t get a bid here your social life won’t be too affected, but it can get boring while your friends are pledging. Getting a bid at a fraternity is 100% doable as long as put effort into meeting brothers and don’t piss anyone off in the process, really nothing to worry about.