Students provide insight, redefine Greek life
By Ethan Rubio, September 15, 2026
Rush week at Cal Poly Pomona gives students a look into Greek life on campus and what the various fraternities and sororities do. From philanthropy, brotherhood and sisterhood, students can get a closer look at what each organization has to offer.
Greek Life across the U.S. continues to expand as students gain hands-on experience from their leadership positions within their fraternities and sororities. According to the U.S insider, “students involved in both Greek life and finance clubs often gain exposure to leadership and networking opportunities that support long-term goals.”
Jaqueline Vidal, a sociology student and current member of Kappa Delta, has been a part of Greek life for a year. She describes being in sorority as “committed, disciplined and driven,” and emphasized that her organization not only pushes her to be better as a student academically but also as a community member.
A TCU magazine article discussed how Greek life members have built schools in Nicaragua and Nepal, showing how Greek life is not all about parties but also about how it is giving back to the community.
According to Vidal, social media plays a big factor in how Greek life is viewed on campus.
“Being in an organization comes with positives, but many outside perceptions often focus on the challenges that come with being associated with Greek life,” Vidal said.
Online narratives tend to amplify the most eye-catching or social aspects of Greek Life, leaving academic support, philanthropy and professional development overshadowed by content that gains more traction.
Sabrina Ayala, a business marketing student and current member of Chi Omega, said she thinks social media amplifies negative stereotypes about Greek life.
Ayala explained a heavy reliance on phones influences how Greek Life is perceived and emphasized that members themselves can be welcoming and easygoing. She believes that sororities and Greek life offer students a chance to find where they want to be.
Although social media can influence how Greek Life is viewed, Ayala notes that most of her chapter activity is focused on academic standards, leadership development, and community service.
“It’s a good way for incoming first-years students to build a sense of belonging and find their community on campus,” Ayala said. “If you’ve ever played sports or were on a club, this is a great way to find leadership and network with others.”
At CPP, philanthropy offers opportunities to participate in service events, awareness campaigns, and fundraising efforts that bring students together around shared goals.
According to philanthropy in Greek life article, “Philanthropic initiatives provide an excellent opportunity for Greek organizations to strengthen ties with the local community. Hosting charity events, volunteer projects, and fundraisers allow these organizations to collaborate with community members and other charitable organizations.”
Researchers explained how philanthropic work helps Greek organizations build relationships with their surrounding communities off campus through local events.
“Philanthropy is one of the things about Greek life that helps give students a fun and supportive community,” said Nadia Kyle, a business marketing management student and current member of Zeta Tau Alpha.
Zeta Tau Alpha at CPP hosts a philanthropy week focused on breast cancer education and awareness, organizing events where fraternities take part in donation-based competitions, with all contributions directed to the cause.
According to Kyle, fundraising competitions between fraternities often bring together students across campus, creating a collaborative environment that highlights the impact that Greek organizations can have beyond their own membership.
“We raise money and awareness for important causes that are not seen enough,” Kyle said. “It’s not just about social events. Greek life has a bigger meaning, and each organization represents something important.”
Philanthropy serves as a defining element of chapter identity for many Greek organizations at CPP. Members say these efforts highlight the service and leadership components of Greek Life.
Abygail Villa, an early childhood studies student and current member of Alpha Xi Delta, agreed, said as a commuter student she felt like she needed to be social on campus.
As a commuter school, programs from different Greek organizations around campus offer these programs, giving students consistent avenues to connect with the campus outside of class.
“You form genuine bonds and friendships with people that you might not have met otherwise,” Villa said. “Everyone is here to support each other. For example, girls can help each other academically, recommend classes or professors, and give good advice if they have experience with the same major.”
For many students, transfers and commuters specifically, Greek life offers a consistent point of connection on campus. Members note that chapter involvement can make it easier to adjust to new routines, build relationships, and stay engaged with university life.
“These elements give members structured ways to engage with campus life, which can be especially helpful for students adjusting to CPP as transfers or commuters,” Villa said.
According to Diego Andrade, a political science student, sororities and fraternities aren’t solely focused on social events.
Andrade explained that many students assume fraternities all operate the same, coming from a misconception often shaped by movies that portray Greek Life with partying being the center focus.
He admitted he felt intimidated when he first saw fraternities tabling during rush week and initially shared those assumptions.
“When I joined SigEp, I realized how wrong I was about that misconception,” Andrade said. “These brothers care more about their academic futures.”
He recalled being asked a defining question during his first rush cycle – “What are your plans after college?” – a question that he now poses to new recruits himself.
Members describe these experiences as meaningful, but non-affiliated students offer their own perspectives that show how Greek life is viewed outside the community.
Rosalina Madrigal, a political science student, said Greek life on campus gives off a quieter, club-oriented vibe.
“It does not resemble traditional, socially prominent Greek Life that you see at other universities,” Madrigal said.
Madrigal said the constant presence of flyers across campus makes rush week feel less distinct, explaining that recruitment is visible only during the first week of the semester before quickly fading as the weeks go on. She added that if rush week carried the same level of promotion as BroncoFusion, more students might be inclined to participate.
Madrigal said she thinks that’s why many students choose not to rush, in addition to the lack of tabling from all the organizations.
“Clubs are also trying to get members as well, each one of them offers a wide variety of things that you can’t get from Greek life,” Madrigal said.
While Madrigal believes Greek life can give off a “club-like” feeling for students, William Kay, an aerospace engineering student, disagreed, and said his first week on campus as a transfer student left a different impression.
He described Greek life as one of the most visible social spaces at CPP and said meeting each organization felt welcoming.
Kay’s early interactions on campus challenged many of the assumptions he had heard about fraternity culture. He said the openness he experienced during the week itself made Greek life feel more approachable than he expected.
“You’d think frat guys would go out, but they don’t,” Kay said. “They form study groups, go out to lunch, and enjoy spending time together as a whole. People see these guys, and they think you need to have an ego. It’s not like that.”
