Student participation in Greek life at Ohio University has increased significantly since the pandemic, nearly doubling from 954 members in 2022 to 1,823 in 2024.
OU currently hosts 31 fraternities and sororities for students to join and get involved in. Chris Medrano Graham, director of Sorority and Fraternity Life, said that number may soon expand.
“We’re definitely working on bringing back two of our historically Black sororities, so Sigma Gamma Rho is coming back in the fall semester … and we’ve been in conversations with Zeta Phi Beta to bring that sorority back on campus, as well,” Medrano Graham said.
Although the Sorority and Fraternity Life offices are working to continue expansion and growth, many students have joined the various sororities and fraternities on campus.
Jack Golla, a junior studying nursing, joined ACACIA when he was a freshman. Golla said he found a second community within ACACIA’s brotherhood.
“I knew I needed to get out there and meet some new people, kind of get out of my own head, and I did, and I ended up loving it. All of the guys were super cool,” Golla said.
OU offers students the option to join in the fall or spring. The recruitment process, commonly known as “rushing,” helps prospective members explore different chapters. The experience can range from formal events to more casual gatherings.
Golla said he rushed in the spring of his freshman year and had a positive experience with the process.
“I went out to the rush events … All the brothers were there, and I got to meet them. I just loved it,” Golla said. “Here I am, and I think it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Golla noted that the number of people involved in ACACIA has increased in the last couple of years.
“I think when I joined, we had 40-something guys. Now we’re up to almost 70,” Golla said. “It’s getting bigger, and I love to see Greek life grow as a whole.”
Not every student joins through traditional recruitment.
Michelle Nie, a junior studying integrated social studies education, is a part of the Alpha Omicron Phi sorority and joined informally her freshman year.
Nie said she was looking for a good group of other women to help her with the adjustment from high school to college.
“I reached out to a good friend from back home who I knew was involved in Greek life when she was in college, and she kind of helped talk me through what the informal process looks like,” Nie said.
Nie said she thinks Greek life may have expanded due to more students joining post-pandemic as well as from the influence of social media.
Medrano Graham said the growth of Greek life was an intentional effort on behalf of the Sorority and Fraternity Life offices.
“COVID, obviously, caused a lot of memberships to decline, so I worked with our grads and my team to work on rebranding for sorority and fraternity life, and give it a little bit more pep, more life, make it seem more engaging,” Medrano Graham said
Medrano Graham said through each of the office’s efforts with organizations on campus, Sorority and Fraternity Life has worked to build a community and a family.
Sophia Cianciola, a sophomore studying communications, is in Alpha Omicron Phi and joined in fall 2024.
Cianciola said she thinks involvement may have increased due to “BamaTok,” a TikTok sensation where girls rushing for sororities at the University of Alabama took viewers on their rushing journey.
“People started to want to know what that’s like or want to join one, or we’re already planning on it,” Cianciola said.
Cianciola said Greek life offers students the opportunity to find a community outside of the classroom.
“I think it offers students a way to create a community within themselves.” Cianciola said. “It also can provide a routine for a lot of people. It’s a stability in some people’s lives.”
Medrano Graham said although some participants of Greek Life may join for the party aspects, there are four core components that make up sorority and fraternity life: scholarship, philanthropy and service, leadership development and brotherhood and sisterhood.
“They’ve been trying to exemplify those things, as well as a good wholesome balance. It takes a balance to be a good human,” Medrano Graham said. “You can definitely have fun, but you always need to take care of business. Work hard, play hard.”
