Commission: Fraternities, Sororities Should Remain Part of University

ALBANY, N.Y. (Feb. 18, 2021) — A commission formed to recommend whether UAlbany should continue hosting fraternities and sororities has released its report after studying the history and current state of Greek life at the University.

The findings: The overwhelming successes of the fraternity and sorority communities – including student retention, career connections, fostering a sense of belonging, and community engagement – make them a valuable part of the University and should continue to be part of the community. The commission also noted that the negative aspects of Greek life, including alcohol and drug use, hazing, sexual violence and neighborhood impacts, must be addressed.

Vice President for Student Affairs Michael Christakis called for the creation of a Commission of the Future of Greek Life at UAlbany in May of 2019. The commission was made up of faculty, staff, students, alumni, and representatives from the community and from national and international Greek organizations. They met 11 times over the Fall 2019 and Spring 2020 semesters and issued their report late last year.

“The Commission’s recommendation to continue to support Greek Life at UAlbany is not a vindication of the status quo,” Christakis said. “Rather, it is a necessary call to action to make the changes desperately needed to improve the quality of life for those participating in Greek Life as well as those impacted by it across our campus and beyond. Indeed, the future of Greek Life across the nation is dependent on our shared responsibility to steward it well.”

As of Fall 2019, there were 34 fraternities and sororities recognized by Fraternity and Sorority Life and three affiliated honor societies, with a total of 289 active student members.

The commission reviewed data and gathered statements from campus and outside community members regarding their experiences and opinions about Greek Life at UAlbany, focusing on both the impact of Greek Life on campus, its impact on the midtown neighborhoods of Albany, and its place in the broader culture of college student behaviors both inside and outside of Greek Life. The commission also weighed the impact of prohibited derecognized organizations still operating off-campus despite longstanding bans.

In the end, the commission recommended that the University continue to support Greek Life for its positive enhancements to student life. “UAlbany should be home to fraternities and sororities that have missions, visions, values and priorities consistent with those of the University,” the commission wrote. “This community should be growing, inclusive, accountable, transparent, safe for all students, and built on trust between administrators, students and inter/national organizations.

At the same time, the commission issued a call to action to reduce negative behaviors, including mandating Title IX training, clarifying expectations regarding off-campus parties, drug and alcohol use, and enhancing procedures for investigating hazing incidents and supporting hazing victims. They also recommended increased social programming and improved housing for Greek societies.

“The Commission’s position on Greek Life recognizes the positive benefits sororities and fraternities bring to the campus, our students and our alumni,” said Robert Griffin, dean of the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security & Cybersecurity, who chaired the commission. “It does not shy away from the simple fact that without significant cultural changes, the well documented negative aspects of Greek Life will be the cause of its death. The Commission presents an opportunity, possibly the final opportunity, for the Greek System at UAlbany to not only survive but thrive.”

The commission met and issued its findings prior to the pandemic and its associated impacts to the campus. As a result, the report and its recommendations may need to be viewed in this new campus environment and the University’s new financial and human resource capacity.