Natalie Robertson: Diversity in Greek Life

Diversity in Greek Life: How Sororitys are implementing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Introduction

It is no secret that panhellenic sororities iin America have lacked diversity, with the average member being an upper middle class woman. In recent years, we have seen the narrative begin to change. Sororities in the United States have begun focusing on implementing diversity, equity, and inclusion to create a more welcoming and inclusive environment that also reflects the diversity of the members within their prospective chapters. Still, challenges persist as stereotypes in the media discourage membership from minority groups.

History of Diversity in Panhellinic Sororities

Sororities have historically been composed of upper middle class white women and have excluded members based on race, socioeconomic standing, and disabilities. This has prompted chapters across the United States to implement new policies and practices to encourage diversity, Many chapters now have DEI Chairwomen. The DEI Chairwoman often promotes diversity within the chapter while also encouraging members to be involved in diverse organizations across their campuses.

The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors defined diversity, equity, and inclusion in the following ways:

-Diversity is the recognition, understanding, and appreciation for those human characteristics grounded in a spectrum of backgrounds and cultures different from our own.

-Inclusion is the intentional effort to cultivate a sense of belonging, to value and appreciate equitable contribution and participation, and to ensure all constituents across all human characteristics are able to actively contribute to a balance of power and influence.

-Equity is a focus on the achievement of equal outcomes for all community members, with recognition that this necessitates an application of different resources and opportunities based upon different human and organizational characteristics.

Haley Reeves and Kayleigh Williams Interview

National Reform

The National Panhellinic Conference have created many new initiatives that promote DEI within sorority life. The NPC council created and adopted new policys that aimed to reduce recruitment barriers. One way they did this was by adopting a Values-Based recruitment style. The NPC website states “Since fall 2022, the NPC Panhellenic Recruitment Committee has identified more than 100 College Panhellenics that could benefit from a shift in recruitment styles. The goal is to provide greater access to potential new members by offering flexible schedules that include more women in the primary joining process.” Other resources have been developed to help panhellenic chapters create more inclusive experiences for students who may not traditionally have access to greek life. Individual sorority chapters have also implemented changes to welcome people of different gender identities and sexual orientations.

Personal Impact

As a Phi Mu at Mississippi State, I have had the opportunity to be around a diverse group of women. Haley Reeves is a junior at Mississippi State, and access member, and one of my Phi Mu sisters. I had the opportunity to sit down with her and better understand her experience as a member of greek life with down syndrome. Haley had many words of wisdom, but my personal favorites: “just do it.” These words encourage us all to reach beyond the box we are put in. 

DEI is a platform that helps propel young women like Haley to knew heights. She is treated as an equal member in the chapter, and her contributions are valued just the same. Her presence has also served as an educational experience to the members of Phi Mu who may not have adequate experiencing working alongside someone with an intellectual disability. DEI being implemented into greek life gives students the opportunity to learn about different minority groups.

Research

There are many recent studies that show the experiences of greek life members who have racially and ethnically diverse chapters. The findings from these studies show that having a supportive environment within sorority chapters encourage members to engage in more meaningful DEI work and it gives members a deeper sense of belonging within their chapter.

Research that used the input-environment-outcome model examined the relationship between diversity experiences in Greek life and the development of socially responsible leadership among college students. The study shows that having a diverse fraternity or sorority positively influences how students lead within their future careers. The research results state “The absence of a significant conditional effect by gender suggests that engaging in diversity experiences during college may have the same enabling influence on growth in socially responsible leadership for both fraternity and sorority members.”

Future Challenges

Challenges still remain when it comes to implementing more diversity within greek life. Many people view sorority DEI efforts as performative and there are many racial barriers that still must be overcome. In my personal experience and through social media it is evident that there is still work to be done. Many women who do not feel the fit into a certain mold do not believe they will find their place within greek life. It is a social construct that is constantly evolving.

Email the team at nkr66@msstate.edu with any questions

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