What kind of research does the Center do?
The Center is a small non-profit that serves more as a clearinghouse for research than as an organization conducting original research. The Center does, however, contuct the Status Survey of Campus Fraternity and Sorority Systems every few years, and we own the copy write to a campus assessment tool, the Greek Student Experience Survey.
Is fraternity membership increasing or decreasing?
TRENDS IN MEMBERSHIP FOR FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIESIn 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1992, 1997, and 2000 the Center for the Study of the College Fraternity surveyed college campuses on the status of their fraternity and sorority systems.Over time, the response rate to the questionnaire differed so direct comparisons of data should be made with caution.The questionnaire included an item on membership numbers, and later an item on trends in membership numbers for men’s and women’s groups.The results received were:
SCHOOLSRESPONDING FRATERNITY NUMBERS SORORITY NUMBERS 1982 285 institutions 122,711 fraternity actives 114,867 sorority actives 35,948 fraternity pledges 29,116 sorority pledges 1983 334 institutions 177,220 fraternity actives 144,191 sorority actives 44,071 fraternity pledges 39,398 sorority pledges 1984 371 institutions 165,698 fraternity actives 131,574 sorority actives 49,025 fraternity pledges 42,304 sorority pledges 1986 429 institutions 196,884 fraternity actives 155,620 sorority actives 67,400 fraternity pledges 54,657 sorority pledges 1988 392 institutions 194,260 fraternity actives 157,498 sorority actives 62,406 fraternity actives 58,346 sorority pledges 1990 398 institutions 197,974 fraternity actives 169,953 sorority actives 59,417 fraternity pledges 59,675 sorority pledges 1992 292 institutions 162,820 fraternity actives 144,521 sorority actives 48,998 fraternity pledges 47,454 sorority pledges 1997 346 institutions 133,210 fraternity actives 134,248 sorority actives 59,166 fraternity pledges 68,508 sorority pledges 2000 324 institutions 115,222 fraternity active 127,110 sorority actives 40,935 fraternity pledges 45,515 sorority pledges In 1984, a survey item was added to ask how membership compared with previous survey year in an attempt to address concerns about the comparability of data between surveys when the respondents were not always the same schools.“Fewer” was defined as down 5%, “same” as about the same, and “greater” as up 5% or more.The responses on these items were not always consistent with the trend suggested by the raw numbers.
1984 371 institutions for fraternity actives for sorority actives fewer -29 schools fewer -38 schools same -231 schools same -214 schools greater – 23 schools greater - 92 schools for fraternity pledges for sorority pledges fewer -36 schools fewer -39 schools same - 201 schools same - 200 schools greater - 87 schools greater - 85 schools 1986 429 institutions for fraternity actives for sorority actives fewer -26 schools fewer -22 schools same -275 schools same -253 schools greater - 108 schools greater - 111 schools for fraternity pledges for sorority pledges fewer -37 schools fewer -30 schools same -251 schools same -228 schools greater - 102 schools greater - 118 schools 1988 392 institutions for fraternity actives for sorority actives fewer -22 schools fewer -18 schools same -192 schools same -186 schools greater - 146 schools greater - 140 schools for fraternity pledges for sorority pledges fewer -34 schools fewer -32 schools same -180 schools same -163 schools greater - 140 schools greater - 152 schools 1990 398 institutions for fraternity actives for sorority actives fewer -42 schools fewer -29 schools same -195 schools same -182 schools greater - 125 schools greater - 151 schools for fraternity pledges for sorority pledges fewer -54 schools fewer -39 schools same -191 schools same -175 schools greater - 115 schools greater - 146 schools 1992 292 institutions for fraternity actives for sorority actives fewer -55 schools fewer -42 schools same -149 schools same -148 schools greater -54 schools greater -66 schools for fraternity pledges for sorority pledges fewer -59 schools fewer -57 schools same -143 schools same -132 schools greater -54 schools greater -66 schools -bidi-font-size: 12.0pt">346 institutions for fraternity actives for sorority actives fewer -88 schools fewer -68 schools same -163 schools same -168 schools greater -59 schools greater -74 schools for fraternity pledges for sorority pledges fewer -88 schools fewer -60 schools same -138 schools same -141 schools greater -48 schools greater -70 schools The 2000 survey again asked respondents to compare membership numbers with the previous survey year (1996-1997).
2000 324 institutions for fraternity actives for sorority actives (preliminary data) fewer -101 schools fewer -71 schools same - 149 schools same - 159 schools greater - 56 schools greater -75 schools for fraternity pledges for sorority pledges fewer - 95 schools fewer - 57 schools same - 134 schools same - 149 schools greater - 49 schools greater - 69 schools
What percentage of students are affiliated with fraternities and sororities?
There is no good, definitive answer to the often asked question: "What is the percentage of students who are fraternity and sorority members on campuses nationwide?" One source of information on this topic is the Status Survey of Campus Fraternity and Sorority Systems.(top of page)The Center for the Study of the College Fraternity conducts the "Status Survey of Campus Fraternity and Sorority Systems" approximately every 2 years (since 1982). The survey is mailed to more than 700 campuses, and an administrator from the campus may complete and return the survey. The response rate varies each year. While a few campuses have participated in each survey, others have participated only once, sporadically, or not at all, making a comparison of responses over time unreliable. Responding campuses also vary widely in terms of size, institutional control, etc. Of course, many campuses have no fraternity and sorority community at all, and are not included in the survey.
Prior to 1988, the survey did not collect any information about the percentage of affiliated students. The survey instrument was revised in 1997, allowing us to collect a different type of data about the percentage of affiliated students. The new survey allows us to collect a unique percentage figure from each respondent, whereas previously we only collected information about ranges of affiliated students (0-10%, 11-20%, etc.)
Keeping these limitations in mind, here is a summary of the information we have on membership percentages.
2000 (324 responses) Median=12% Mean=17.50%The survey also asks information about the number of students affiliated. Totals from each year of the survey are included in the monograph "Status of the College Fraternity and Sorority, 1997" published by the Center. (The 2000 data has not yet been published.) The monograph may be purchased using the order form on our website.
1997 (346 responses) Median=13% Mean=17.78%
1992 (292 responses)<10% = 98 campuses1990 (398 responses)
11-20% = 88
21-30% = 46
31-40% = 24
41-50% = 19
51-60% = 8
61-70% = 4
71-80% = 1
81-90% = 1
91-100 = 1<10% = 140 campuses1988 (392 responses)
11-20% = 130
21-30% = 56
31-40% = 28
41-50% = 17
51-60% = 14
61-70% = 5
71-80% = 4
81-90% = 1
91-100 =<10% = 142 campuses1986 (no data available)
11-20% = 108
21-30% = 58
31-40% = 26
41-50% = 25
51-60% = 17
61-70% = 7
71-80% = 2
81-90% = 2
91-100 =
1984 (no data available)
1983 (no data available)
1982 (no data available)
Where can I find the source of those great-sounding stats that are always used to promote Greek Life?
Perhaps you have encountered the following statistics in a publication, web site, or speech:(top of page)You will probably not find a citation for the source of the statistics. In all likelihood, no such studies exist.
- Studies show that 76% of our nation's senators, 71% of the men listed in Who's Who in America, and 85% of the Fortune 500 Executives are fraternity members.
- Of the nations 50 largest corporations, fraternity members head 43.
- All but two U.S. Presidents since 1825 have been fraternity men, and 63% of the U.S. President's cabinet members since 1900 have been Greek.
- 85% of the U.S. Supreme Court justices since 1910 have been Greek.
- A U.S. government study shows that 71% of fraternity and sorority members persist to graduation, while just over 50% of all non-Greeks graduate.
The Center for the Study of the College Fraternity does have, in its archives, a 1982 publication of the North-American Interfraternity Conference entitled Directory of Fraternity & Sorority Members who are Members of the Congress, Governors of States, Members of the Parliament of Canada. According to this publication, in 1982 there were:
There has been significant turnover among elected officials since 1982. The numbers would not be the same today.
- 54 affiliated Senators (54%)
- 167 affiliated House Members (38%)
- 24 affiliated governors (48%)
- 24 affiliated members of Parliament (6%)
The North-American Interfraternity Conference has also compiled a list of U.S. Presidents who were/are fraternity members. Contrary to the statistic quoted above, no president prior to 1877 was a fraternity member and seven presidents since then have not been fraternity men. President who were fraternity members are:
If you know of source material for any other data listed above, please contact the Center. We would be interested in obtaining these studies for our archives.