“Greek life culture is Ole Miss,” non-Greek affiliated student Katelin Drake, a senior psychology major, said.

When one Googles the University of Mississippi, most photos that appear are images associated with fraternity and sorority life. It is weaved into everything within the UM community.

“Greek life is just another part of the Southern college experience. It finds itself on buttons, stickers, game day bags, outfits, room decor, sweatshirts, t-shirts and social media,” Madison McKee, a non-Greek affiliated junior majoring in English, said.

UM has one of the strongest Greek systems in the country, with 48% of the student body on the Oxford campus being active members of fraternities and sororities, totaling approximately 8,700 students, according to the campus Interfraternity Council. There 18 fraternity chapters and 15 sorority chapters at UM, the majority of them with massive houses to accommodate their members on campus.

Greek groups are governed by three panels, the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Panhellenic Council and the IFC. The university’s Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life also supports Greek members and chapters.

“Even among the three different councils, the community is so strong,” junior integrated marketing communications major and Alpha Omicron Pi President Kenlee McDaniel said.

Sara Rodgers Smith, a public policy leadership and integrated marketing communications double major, shared what drew her to join a sorority.

“I joined Delta Gamma and just had a sense of unity, like every girl was similar to me. I had never had a sense of belonging like that,” Smith said.

McDaniel echoed Rodgers’ sentiment.

“(Greek life) makes campus, number-wise, feel smaller and allows you to connect with people who have similar values, goals, ambitions and aspects that you have,” McDaniel said.

While fraternities and sororities may be best known for their social events such as date parties, band performances, swaps and formals, Greek organizations also host philanthropy events in which they raise funds for organizations throughout the semester.

Mia Sonnenbaum, a junior majoring in biomedical engineering and president of the Xi Zeta chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., shared how her chapter has made moves within the community.

“We really strive for hitting all of our national programs while still serving the community. This year we were able to do things for our Women’s Wellness Initiative, Operation Big Book Bag, Project Cradle Care, and we were able to host an annual Youth Symposium with our local alumnae chapter,” Sonnenbaum said.

Greek life often enhances its members’ personal development by providing friendship, support, guidance and other resources.

“I knew that I wanted to experience a sisterhood and be part of something that was bigger than me. I have people who I wouldn’t have known or wouldn’t have been so close to without these (Greek) letters,” Sonnenbaum said.

A common criticism of Greek organizations is their exclusivity, which sometimes creates a divide within the student body. Non-Greek students have expressed feelings of seclusion within such a Greek-centered environment.

“I feel like it can kind of separate people,” Drake said. “When I first came to Ole Miss, every single conversation I had with girls was, ‘Oh, what sorority are you in?’ and when I would say I wasn’t, they wouldn’t know how to hold a conversation outside of that.”

Students within Greek life hold many positions of power on campus, dominating many leadership roles within clubs and organizations.

Former Associated Student Body President Sara Austin Welch, newly elected ASB President Hannah Watts and the 2023-2024 Homecoming Queen Anna Ware Brown are all members of Greek life at UM. Daneel Konnar, who is a member of Phi Delta Theta, was Mr. Ole Miss in 2023 and executive director for the Student Activities Association. Sam Sepe, the reigning Miss Ole Miss, is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.

According to IFC, the academic GPA of Greek life participants on campus on average is higher than that of non-Greek students.

“I don’t think it’s surprising that students in Greek life hold high GPAs on campus. Greek life has high expectations of its members and participants to achieve the top-shelf status they currently have as well as to meet a past-set standard,” McKee said.

Greek Life also offers networking resources and opportunities to its members.

”Greek life is a great stepping stone. It allows you to gain qualities and gain experience,” IFC Beckett Abington said.

As the 2023-2024 academic year comes to an end, many Greek organizations are already preparing to welcome the freshmen of fall 2024. With freshman class numbers continuing to grow, IFC is focusing on how to adapt to such large numbers while also ensuring each person feels seen and heard.

“We don’t want anybody to be left out. Equitability is such a big word that I have for this year (We’re) making sure that everybody gets a fair shot and a fair chance,” Abington said.

Greek life’s presence on the UM campus is undeniable, whether one is associated with it directly or not. Abington offered a sweet sentiment.

“Ole Miss is unique in the way that Greek life is an artery,” Abington said. “It is a piece of the heart of the Ole Miss campus.”