Education Commons^™

From Lived Experiences To Social Activism: Latino Fraternity Brothers Critical Service To The Latinx Community, Regina L. Suriel, James Martinez, Christian Bello Escobar, Jamie L. Workman

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Colleges and universities are seeing growth of Latinx students actively engaged in Greek life. In this study, six Latino participants share their testimonios as members of different Chapters of a Latinx Greek Letter Organization (LGLO) nestled within Predominantly White Institutions located in the state of Georgia, USA. Informed by LatCrit theory, this qualitative study uses member’s testimonios to shed light on their varied and sometimes politically charged and racist lived experiences. The researchers draw on these experiences to show how the LGLO supported these members’ character and leadership development and their desire and commitment to critical service and socially just …

A Descriptive Analysis Of Risk Management Revenue And Expenditure Trends For Historically White Men’S College Social Fraternities, Ashley Tull, Zhan Shi, Dani Myers, Carson Flynn

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Historically White men’s social fraternities are at the center of college and university life on many campuses. They have also been a place for high-risk activities such as alcohol consumption, hazing, sexual misconduct, and other health, safety, and wellness issues. Current risk management mitigation activities are addressed in the literature review that follows. This descriptive study examined the rising costs associated with insuring against high-risk issues for 32 historically White inter/ national fraternities. Results indicated a 7.2% year-over-year average annual percentage increase for each organization in the study and a 72% average annual percentage increase for the period studied (2010-2018). …

The Fraternity And Sorority Experiences Of Students At A Hispanic-Serving Institution, Victoria Suttmiller

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

In 2021 the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) and the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) jointly published recommendations for higher educational professionals on the future of fraternity and sorority life. Among these recommendations was a focus on the communication between campus leaders and students and the need to better understand the beliefs, motivations, and chapter culture. In addition, AFA pillars include advancing the research of the fraternity and sorority community to engage in and provide scholarly work to higher education professionals.In the fall of 2021, the University of Texas at El Paso hosted the Piazza Center for Fraternity …

Using Focus Groups To Understand Sorority And Fraternity Life And Inform Survey Design, Pietro Antonio Sasso, Kimberly R. Davis, Cindy Cogswell

New York Journal of Student Affairs

Fraternity and sorority experiences can support or challenge the undergraduate student experience related to student learning and development (Sasso et al., 2020a, 2020b). There are concerns that researchers, advisors, and practitioners can pay attention to in order to enhance healthy chapter cultures or intervene when concerns arise. The article explores the process of revising the Fraternity and Sorority Experience Survey (FSES) using focus group findings to inform survey revision and practice. The FSES is organized around five themes–Learning, Values, Alcohol/Social Issues, Operations, and Community–and measures student perceptions and experiences. Implications for practice are included about instrument revision and how it …

Differences In Nonmedical Use Of Prescription Stimulants Among Fraternity- And Sorority-Afiliated Students, Emily Baker, Molly Downing, Nicole C. Kwiek, Erica Regan, Julia Dionne, Tessa Miracle

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

The current study reviewed data from the 2022 College Prescription Drug Study of 4,967 undergraduate students to examine differences in lifetime and past-year misuse of prescription stimulants, academic motivations and consequences of misuse, and misperceptions of prescription stimulants. Results indicate that fraternity- and sorority-affiliated students are more likely to report misusing a prescription stimulant in their lifetime and within the past year than nonaffiliated students. Fraternity and sorority members are more influenced by academic reasons and social norms than nonaffiliated students, with gender identity further predicting level of risk. Implications for prevention programming for fraternity and sorority members are discussed.

Fraternal New Member Processes: An Alumni Perspective, C J. Gibson

Masters Theses

Hazing has always been an issue in fraternities and sororities. Even though there has been a push to reduce the amount of hazing through research and trainings, it continues to cause harm to the community. The purpose of this study is to gain incite from fraternity alums toward understanding the use of hazing activities while orienting fraternity men to the organization. This study examined the issue from the individuals experience, to their role in inducting new members, and now as alums to gain insight in to why chapters continue to that cycle. Results showed that individuals in groups social construct …

Educating Undergraduate Student Leaders: A Study Of Learning In A Leadership Program Of A National Fraternity, Meghan Grace, Pietro Antonio Sasso, Kim E. Bullington, Dawn Wiese

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

Leadership development experiences have long been touted as necessary and positive for promoting the practice of effective leadership. Yet, little has been presented about the effectiveness of leadership development programs sponsored, designed, and implemented by membership-based organizations, like fraternities and sororities. This study examines the efficacy of a national fraternity sponsored leadership development program for chapter presidents in facilitating a meaningful developmental experience and encouraging long-term learning gains. Data collected at three intervals throughout the year in which program attendees were in office were analyzed using ANOVA and t-tests to identify the specific areas in which students reported learning …

Binge Drinking And Protective Behavioral Strategies Among Greek And Non-Greek College Students, Maria Niitepold

Antioch University Full-Text Dissertations & Theses

One of the most problematic habits of college students, binge drinking, has been of particular interest among researchers as a result of the increased risk of harm experienced by students engaging in this high-risk behavior. Fraternity and sorority students have also come under scrutiny for habitually engaging in binge drinking and experiencing significant levels of negative consequences as a result. Little is currently understood about the differences between Protective Behavioral Strategy (PBS) use of Greek and non-Greek students. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in rates of binge drinking and PBS use among Greek and non-Greek …

Jewish Fraternities And Sororities As Spaces Of Resistance Against Antisemitism, Pietro Antonio Sasso, Kimberly Davis

Georgia Journal of College Student Affairs

There has been a continued increase in antisemitic activities at colleges and universities over the last decade. Media reports and research about perceptions of Jewish college students add face validity that student organizations are often targets of Anti-Jewish rhetoric. In particular, Jewish fraternities and sororities have been targeted by antisemitism as sites of violence but have also been spaces of resistance. Through a literature review of Jewish fraternities and sororities, the authors present their organizational saga to demonstrate a pattern of exclusion and antisemitism and summarize current initiatives by Jewish fraternities and sororities as spaces of resistance in combating antisemitism.

“Not Nearly What It Used To Be”: A Mixed Methods Study On Hazing And Organizational Culture In Historically White Fraternities, Kimberly Rogers Davis

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Hazing is a significant concern on college campuses, especially as students continue to die following hazing incidents in student organizations. Fraternities, particularly historically White fraternities (HWFs), have been the site of many recent hazing deaths. However, fraternity and sorority life leaders and advocates often argue that the chapters where hazing tragedies occur are the minority in a broader system that offers numerous contributions to society. Rather than a fraternity or sorority problem, hazing may result from cultural influences within and around the organization. Thus, the purpose of this study is to understand how organizational culture, such as chapter culture and …

The Perceived Impact Of Membership In African American Fraternities And Sororities On The Collegiate Experience And Persistence At A Predominantly White Institution: A Phenomenological Study, Darrick A. Claiborne

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand if the experiences of African American members of African American fraternities and sororities at a Predominately White Institution (PWI) impacted their collegiate experience and persistence to graduate. The researcher used Albert Bandura’s social learning theory to guide this study. Methods for African American students' persistence include leadership and modeling. The researcher chose a central question considering the perceived impact of membership in African American fraternities and sororities on its collegiate experience and persistence at a PWI. The participants of this study were a purposive type of sampling. The participants …

The Leadership Development Of Fraternity And Sorority Life Members, Emmalee Holaday

Theses and Dissertations

This study examines the relationship of perceived leadership development opportunities in fraternities and sororities. The study's main goal was to determine if there was a discrepancy in perceived leadership development opportunities in general members, versus executive board members, whether there was a difference in findings for fraternity members versus sorority members, and suggestions on how to improve opportunities on a university level for students in Fraternity and Sorority Life going forward. The study was distributed to all social Fraternity and Sorority members at Rowan University that were in their respective organization for at least one year prior to the survey. …

Restorative Justice For Fraternity/Sorority Life, Kyley Knudson

Culminating Experience Projects

Greek Life organizations were established on the values of friendship, philanthropy, and academic excellence. The way that Greek life has developed, no long exemplifies those values. In recent years, Greek Life has come to the forefront of public attention tragedies like hazing, sexual assault, binge drinking, and student death. In addition, these are the events and qualities that people think of when they think of Greek life. This project explores Geek life culture by analyzing literature on the students who join Greek life, the environment they interact with, and the outcomes that those produce. After identifying those cultural issues within …

The Influence Of Fraternity And Sorority Characteristics On Alcohol Exposure: Who Is At Risk?, Sydney Shupe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Fraternity and sorority membership has been among the highest contributing factors linked to increased exposure to alcohol consumption among college students. Many have argued that this association persists as a result of the drinking sub-culture among Greek organizations, and report that finding effective methods to minimize alcohol consumption among college students is critical. Using self-reported data from fraternity and sorority members at East Tennessee State University (n=107) the link between observed alcohol consumption and demographic characteristics of the individual Greek member and the Greek organization was examined through a quantitative lens. It was hypothesized that the demographic characteristics of the …

"I'M Thankful Every Day I Did It": An Exploration Of Belonging For Commuter Students In Historically White Sororities And Fraternities At Primarily Commuter Public Institutions, Michael D. Giacalone

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Membership in historically White sororities and fraternities (HWSF) has been connected with sense of belonging (Cohen et al., 2017; McCreary & Schutts, 2015). The experience of commuter students in sororities and fraternities, however, has been largely overlooked, including an understanding of what belonging consists of as members. This phenomenological study sought to close that gap by exploring how commuter students in HWSF experienced belonging at primarily commuter public institutions through interviews with alumni who lived that experience. Three themes emerged from the data: personal connections, feeling welcomed and accepted, and transformation of the college experience.

Nphc And Mgc Sororities And Fraternities As Spaces Of Activism Within Predominantly White Institutions, Crystal E. Garcia, William R. Walker, Ciera A. Dorsey, Zachary W. Werninck, Jessie H. Johns

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

This study explored how Students of Color within National Pan-Hellenic Council and Multicultural Greek Council sororities and fraternities engaged in activism and in what ways this involvement connected to their membership. Using a qualitative critical narrative approach, we examined the journeys of ten participants. Findings unpack ways participants engaged in activism and resistance aimed at educating individuals and increasing awareness of societal injustices, addressing inequities through service, and inciting disruption and cultivating institutional and societal level change.

Sense Of Belonging Of New Members Who Are First-Generation College Students: A Single-Institution Qualitative Case Study, Levi J. Harrel-Hallmark, Jason Castles, Pietro A. Sasso

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

While there is research to suggest that first-generation college students benefit from and have a greater sense of belonging as a result of involvement in student organizations, there is limited research on how first-generation college students develop a sense of belonging specifically through their involvement as new members of a fraternity or sorority. This study, constructed within a single-institution qualitative case study framework, highlighted the unique role that organizational involvement, mentorship, emotional support, and first-generation status and identity can play in the development of sense of belonging for fraternity and sorority new members that are first-generation college students.

Book Review: Pietro A. Sasso, J. Patrick Biddix, & Mónica Lee Miranda. (2020). Supporting Fraternities And Sororities In The Contemporary Era: Advancements In Practice. Myers Education Press., Shanté C. Hearst, Kevin J. Bazner Jr.

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Anyone serving as a campus-based fraternity/sorority advisor can attest to the complexity of navigating roles as advocate, advisor, change agent, and more. Further, the storied histories and contemporary challenges facing fraternity/ sorority life (FSL) and higher education professionals is increasingly demanding. The authors of Supporting Fraternities and Sororities in the Contemporary Era: Advancements in Practice present a much needed updated reference text examining the multiple facets FSL and other higher education professionals must be attuned to in supporting students involved in FSL organizations. Appropriately, the editors acknowledge FSL is filled with contradictions fostering positive and negative opportunities for student development …

Letter From The Editor: Development As A Pillar Of Oracle, James P. Barber

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Development as a Pillar of Oracle

James P. Barber, Ph.D.

March 2022

Front Matter & Table Of Contents

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Front Matter & Table of Contents

Differences In Informal Alcohol Protective Behavior Strategies Between Fraternity & Sorority Members, Jaime L. Myers, Pietro A. Sasso

Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice

Institutional interventions and formal policies designed to reduce alcohol misuse among fraternity and sorority members have been largely unsuccessful. However, informal policies to address alcohol use concerns can also develop within this subculture. This qualitative multi-case phenomenological study examined the informal policies chapters adopt to reduce risks associated with drinking. Findings suggested considerable informal policy development, which varies between fraternities and sororities. Sorority groups implemented more protective behavior strategies for members’ safety, whereas fraternities often focus on monitoring outside groups. Implications for practice suggest a combination of risk and harm-reduction approaches that facilitate peer-led protective behavioral strategies.

Hazing Prevention: The Advisor Perspective, Gabby Hiller

Masters Theses

There has been extensive research conducted on students’ perceptions and understanding of hazing in fraternities and sororities (Allen & Madden, 2008; Allen & Madden, 2012; Alexander, 2018; Cokley et al., 2020). Despite preventative efforts and existing research, hazing continues to occur and continues to threaten the future of fraternity and sorority life. There is little to no research on chapter advisors’ understanding of hazing and hazing prevention in their roles. The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the role that fraternity advisors play in the education and prevention of hazing, through interview with the advisors. The study looks …

How Bad Do You Want It?: The Personal Motivation Of Joining A Sorority, Garry Butler

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

College campuses provide students with endless opportunities to become members of various student organizations that provide leadership, accountability, a sense of belonging, personal growth, and development. Many colleges have provided students with the opportunities to join social Greek fraternity and sorority organizations. The foundation of social fraternity and sorority organizations are built on principles such as sisterhood, brotherhood, scholarship, service, philanthropy, and leadership. Many traditional college-age women who desire to become members of a social sorority organization all participate in a formal recruitment process. There are various motivations that traditional college-age women have for joining social sororities on college campuses …

Developing Critical Consciousness In Traditionally White Fraternities In Higher Education, Jason J. Artrip

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the experiences of fraternity members within the higher education system in New Jersey. One major goal of this study was to analyze the level of critical consciousness developed through involvement in a fraternity. While research exists on the fraternity experience in relation to race, and whiteness, not much has been examined to understand the experience of fraternity members in relation to these issues. By expanding this research, fraternity and sorority affairs professionals, student affairs professionals and fraternity national office staff can better understand the fraternity experience in relation to racial injustice …

Power, Privilege, And Fraternity Men's Perceptions Of Sex And Sexual Violence: A Phenomenological Study, Justine Diener O'Leary

College of Education and Human Sciences: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Sexual violence is a prevalent concern on college campuses (see Washington Post & Kaiser Family Foundation, 2015; Cantor et al., 2015). Men are the primary perpetrators of sexual violence (Black et al., 2011), with particular groups, such as fraternity men, particularly prone to perpetrating sexual violence (Foubert et al., 2007). The CDC (2014, 2021) recommends utilizing a social-ecological model of prevention that address risk factors at four levels: individual, relational, community, and societal. The purpose of the present transcendental phenomenological pilot study was to explore fraternity men’s perceptions of systemic influences on sex, consent, and sexual violence. Utilizing a modified …

Perceptions Of Role Conflict And Role Ambiguity Among Fraternity And Sorority Advising Professionals, Anthony E. Vukusich

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Campus-based professionals in the area of Fraternity and Sorority Advising Programs (FSAP) have a known and documented high rate of attrition; more than half departing within the first five years of employment. Two recognized role stressors that are associated with high rates of turnover are role conflict and role ambiguity. Studies by Gold & Roth, 2013; Khan, Yusoff, Khan, Yasir, & Khan, 2014; Rizzo, House & Lirtzman, 1970; and Wolverton, Wolverton & Gmelch, 1999 have demonstrated that role conflict and role ambiguity are contributing factors in employee attrition across an array of industries and position types, including nurses, teachers, academic …

Hombres Y Hermandad (Men & Brotherhood): Exploring The Role Of Fraternity Involvement On Latino Masculinity Development In College, Michael Vega

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

Despite accounting for the largest increase in higher education enrollment over the last ten years, Latinx students have continued to earn their bachelor’s degrees among the lowest rates of all racial/ethnic groups. Latino men specifically have continued to underperform Latina females, maintaining one of the widest gender gaps in bachelor’s degree completion rates. There are various challenges that all Latinx students face in relation to earning their bachelor’s degree within six years, however there are unique gender norms within the Latinx culture that impact Latino male students in a more significant way. Tenets of their Latino masculinity create expectations where …

Masculinity In Fraternities: Impact On Campus Sexual Violence, Alisha K. Ram

PSU McNair Scholars Online Journal

The literature on fraternities and sexual violence has suggested that some fraternity members are more likely to adopt and maintain the values found in hegemonic masculinity (Sanday, 2007). This is significant as it can aid our understanding of how fraternities and hegemonic masculinity play a part in promoting and engaging in sexual violence. This paper investigates existing literature on masculinity and how hegemonic masculinity is enforced through fraternity participation. The literature review explores condoned behaviors and beliefs that endorse negative masculine values, which are fostered in the social fraternity lifestyle between brothers. Those values paired with the strong male social …

Exploring The Relationship Between Fraternal Organizations And The University Of Michigan: An Organizational Analysis, Devin Berghorst

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between fraternal organizations and the University of Michigan and the implications for student affairs. This study was conducted by analyzing three distinct eras (two eras of politicization and one era of quiescence). Each era featured conflict between fraternal organizations and institutional actors (faculty, staff), and was analyzed to determine what, if any, implications there were for student affairs at the University of Michigan. The conceptual framework applied concepts from areas pertaining to conflict and organizational theory. Additionally, these concepts were informed by research about political organizations. The research method used …

Understanding Hazing Perceptions Of Students And Administrators Using A Four Frame Approach, Emily Feuer

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

Hazing poses a health and safety risk to many students and campuses in the United States, including students involved in fraternities/sororities. To combat hazing, college campuses have put structures and policies in place in an attempt to better govern, control, or reduce fraternity/sorority activities, but hazing incidents continue to persist. This study examines how students affiliated with fraternities/sororities and administrators who work with these students frame hazing behavior with the intention of creating a foundation for interventions based on common findings and potential gaps in frame utilization.