If you’re headed to Rutgers University in the fall, you might be wondering about ways to get involved on campus and start making friends right away. Rutgers is a huge university that offers everything imaginable: clubs, sports, honor societies, ROTC, and more.
A popular way many students choose to get involved on campus and expand their social circle is by joining a fraternity or sorority. Rutgers Greek Life has something for every type of student. There are more than 80 fraternities and sororities on campus. They offer everything from social events and philanthropy service projects to formal dinners and weekend retreats. This guide discusses the Greek scene at Rutgers and helps you decide if it’s right for you.
Table of Contents
- What Percentage of the Rutgers Student Body Is in Greek Life?
- What Are the Benefits of Joining Greek Life at Rutgers?
- How Many Fraternities and Sororities Does Rutgers Have?
- Is Greek Life a Major Time Commitment?
- Will I Get Hazed if I Join a Fraternity or Sorority?
- Is Hazing a Problem at Rutgers?
- How Much Does It Cost To Join Greek Life at Rutgers?
What Percentage of the Rutgers Student Body Is in Greek Life?
Rutgers Greek life is an important part of campus, but it doesn’t dominate like at many SEC and Big Ten schools. Only about 10 percent of the undergraduate student body at Rutgers is involved in Greek life. This number is significantly lower than the national average of about 25 percent for residential colleges and universities.
There are a number of reasons why Greek life may not be as popular at Rutgers as it is at other schools. For one, Rutgers has a large commuter population, which means there aren’t as many students who live on campus and have access to Greek life events.
Rutgers is also in an urban, cosmopolitan area. It’s only a 30-minute train ride to Manhattan. Because of this, many students don’t feel the need to join a fraternity or sorority to have an active social life. At more rural schools like Penn State, Greek life provides the lion’s share of the social scene on campus.
That said, the Greek scene at Rutgers is certainly big and active enough that it’s there if you want it. For many students, it’s a perfect fit. For others, it isn’t. At Rutgers, you can have an incredible college experience whether you do or don’t join a frat or sorority.
What Are the Benefits of Joining Greek Life at Rutgers?
For the thousands of Rutgers students who pledge every year, Greek life opens up exciting new opportunities. Joining a fraternity or sorority gives you access to leadership opportunities, networking opportunities, social opportunities, and more.
If you’re on the fence about joining, you can always accept a bid and start the pledging process. If you decide it isn’t for you, you can drop and move onto other things. However, most students who pledge at Rutgers find it to be a positive experience overall, and they stick with it.
Here are five reasons to consider joining Greek life at Rutgers:
- Leadership building. Fraternities and sororities offer many leadership opportunities for members, from executive board positions to committee roles. These positions can help you develop important skills like communication, problem solving, and time management.
- Networking. Greek life provides members with numerous networking opportunities with alumni and other professionals. You can make connections with people who have the same interests as you, and you may even meet your future spouse through Greek life.
- Social opportunities. Membership in Greek life offers many social opportunities that help members to get to know their new brothers and sisters as well as others outside their specific house. Members can attend social events and parties, like charity balls and formal dances.
- Community service. Greek life members are encouraged to participate in community service projects such as volunteering with the local Habitat for Humanity chapter or other charity organizations.
- Connections. Greek life provides a great way to make friends in your community by getting involved with your chapter and local community. You can meet people who are interested in the same things you are, and many people who join Greek organizations make friendships that last a lifetime.
How Many Fraternities and Sororities Does Rutgers Have?
Rutgers has more than 80 active fraternities and sororities. Not all of these are so-called social organizations, meaning the typical frat or sorority that throws big parties every weekend and has tailgates before the home football games. Rutgers also has fraternities dedicated to community service, various academic interests (e.g., business fraternities, engineering fraternities, literary fraternities), and cultures. There are fraternities and sororities on campus that are historically black and historically Jewish as well.
Is Greek Life a Major Time Commitment?
A major consideration for anyone considering joining Greek life at Rutgers is the time commitment required. Joining a Greek organization usually means attending weekly meetings, participating in philanthropy events, and attending social functions.
The pledging process is often more time-intensive, as the organization wants you to spend as much time around your pledge brothers or sisters as possible so you forge deep bonds. For some people, this may be too much of a time commitment, while others may see it as a way to get more involved on campus.
It’s important to remember that not all Greek organizations are the same. Some may require more time than others. If you’re interested in joining a Greek organization, be sure to ask how much time is required and what kind of activities are involved.
Will I Get Hazed if I Join a Fraternity or Sorority?
Another common question prospective fraternity or sorority members have is whether or not they will get hazed if they join. While there is no one answer to this question, it is important to know what hazing is and what it could involve.
Hazing is defined as any type of initiation or activity that puts a new member at risk for physical or emotional harm. This could include activities like being forced to consume alcohol or drugs, being physically assaulted, or being harassed mentally and emotionally.
Most fraternities and sororities do not haze their new members. But there are some that do. In fact, there are Greek organizations that will look you in the eye during rush and tell you they’re “non-hazing,” only to laugh about it when the pledge period starts and say, “You didn’t really believe that, did you?” So, it’s important to do your research before joining an organization. Don’t just go by what they tell you at your house visit.
That said, if you want to avoid hazing as a frat or sorority pledge at Rutgers — and why wouldn’t you? — you still have many organizations to choose from. The percentage of frats that engage in serious hazing gets lower every year. But if we’re being honest, it’ll probably never go completely to zero.
Why Do Some Fraternities and Sororities Haze?
Fraternities and sororities haze for a few reasons. We’re not saying these are good reasons, but they’re the justification given by people who support or condone the practice.
Some organizations haze to “toughen up” new members or their resolve. Some say they do it to establish a connection with the new member, though this logic seems dubious. Others insist it makes the brotherhood stronger among the pledge class, since they’re all suffering together. Again, not a lot of evidence supports this theory.
The fact is that hazing can lead to serious injury, emotional distress, and even death. It’s also illegal. A person who gets caught hazing could end up in jail. And, they’ll have a criminal record and likely be kicked out of school.
It is important to remember that a person can be charged with hazing even if they were not personally involved. From a legal perspective, standing by and letting it happen is considered abetting the process.
Is Hazing a Problem at Rutgers?
Rutgers has had a few high-profile hazing incidents, but not all of them have involved fraternities or sororities. This brings up another point. The practice has long been associated with Greek life, but it can be a part of any group or social dynamic. Hazing is no more a problem at Rutgers than at other schools, and you can avoid it by researching any organization you’re considering joining — whether Greek or not — and standing your ground if others try to subject you to it.
How Much Does It Cost To Join Greek Life at Rutgers?
Joining a fraternity or sorority can be a costly, but most organizations have scholarships and other programs to help members with demonstrated financial needs.
Fraternity and sorority costs go toward things like house rent and upkeep, budgets for social events, and national dues. You might encounter ancillary costs as well, such as the cost of a suit or tuxedo to wear to formal events, or travel expenses to an out-of-town retreat.
If you’re interested in joining a Greek organization at Rutgers but concerned about the costs, talk to an active member or officer in the fraternity or sorority ahead of time. They can let you know what types of financial assistance programs are available.
Greek life at Rutgers University provides a number of benefits to its members. These benefits include opportunities for networking, leadership development, and socializing. If you’re an upcoming student at Rutgers University and you’re looking for a way to get involved, Greek life is something to consider.
