National fraternal organizations deeply associated with American college life and imagery. The first, Phi Beta Kappa, was founded in 1776 at William and Mary College in Virginia; it is now a national academic honor society. Social fraternities began in the 1820s; sororities followed in the 1850s, expanding with women’s educational opportunities. African American fraternities and sororities began in 1906, while Latino organizations took shape in the 1970s. Over fifty national fraternities and sororities have 4 million members at US colleges and universities.

Fraternities and sororities function as units of socialization and community on the local college (chapter) level. During “rush” week, incoming students are selected and pledged; initiation rites range from humorous events to brutal hazings involving physical pain that have drawn negative publicity and university intervention. The selection process has also led to charges of elitism and discrimination.

Some fraternities and sororities offer university housing; others exist as social and service organizations charging only operating/membership fees. While the organizations argue that they are a stabilizing influence for academics and service, critics have viewed their parties as centers of alcohol and sexual excess. Hence, some colleges have banned these organizations; nevertheless, in Ivy League schools and state university systems, “Greek life” (from the traditional three Greek letter names of these groups) and the Pan-Hellenic Council are central to student life and organization.

Similar organizations are associated with professional career choices and academic honors within these fields, like Tau Beta Pi for engineering (founded 1885). “Greek” associations have been especially strong in the formation of the African American middle class; black fraternities and sororities include roughly 1 million members.

Colorful albeit exaggerated images of fraternity and sorority life—parties, camaraderie, competition—abound in teen-oriented media, including National Lampoon’s Animal House (1978). The realities of fraternity and sorority life, however, are both more ordinary and more complex.