With Rush Week (or two) upon us, it might seem as though everyone is scrambling for a spot in his or her favorite fraternity (from the Latin “frater” meaning “We drink together”) or sorority (Latin for “Do unto others before you get done”). More than a third of Northwestern students (38 percent as of last spring) affiliate themselves with a fraternity or sorority — more than any other school in the Big Ten. But the popularity of Greek life on campus isn’t a new development — fraternities and sororities have been an integral part of campus life since they were introduced in the mid 1800s.
The first fraternity to emerge on Northwestern’s campus was Phi Delta Theta, in 1859. The fraternity closed in 1861 because of the Civil War and re-opened in 1886. The first sorority opened in 1869, the same year that Sarah Rebecca Roland became the first woman to enroll at Northwestern. Fraternities and sororities multiplied quickly, and by 1900 there were eight fraternities and eight sororities on campus, already boasting membership of more than 30 percent of the student body.
Popular as the groups were, not everyone supported Greek life. In 1890, the Massasoits — an anti-Greek group — was formed. Members of the organization took a pledge never to join a fraternity and even formed their own newspaper, free of fraternity propaganda. The boycott was short-lived however, because in 1892, when the founding members of the group graduated, their younger protégés denounced their vow and joined fraternities.
Fraternities have proven their ability to stand the test of time, even in the most dire of circumstances. During the Great Depression, the University Fraternity Board was formed to deal with the changes fraternities (and sororities) were forced to undergo. Notably, dues were reduced to $2, but the Board also dealt with issues such as housing and recruitment problems and behavioral infractions.
Also during the Great Depression, fraternities were scrutinized because of Hell Week, which featured hazing and other violence. In 1937, the Interfraternity Council resolved to formally abolish Hell Week. To ensure the seriousness of their resolution, the fraternities were required to post a $75 bond (a considerable amount during the Depression).
During World War II, the fraternities offered their houses to the War Department to shelter members of the Navy. Even after the houses were returned to the University for use, a housing shortage forced fraternities to double up and share buildings with one another.
After the war, in the 1950s, Greek life peaked with more than 50 percent of male students and 70 percent of female students belonging to fraternities and sororities.
So there you have it, the history of Greek life in a nutshell. Good luck to everyone and happy rushing.