Greek LifePurdue University is home to one of the largest Fraternity and Sorority communities in the country! The Interfraternity Council governs 41 traditional men's fraternities at Purdue. The Multicultural Greek Council governs 11 multicultural fraternities and sororities. The National Pan-Hellenic Council governs 7 historically African-American fraternities and sororities at Purdue. The Panhellenic Association governs 20 traditional women's fraternities and sororities.
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History of Greek Life
March 9, 1875, with a joint effort of eight young men, the Delta Delta Chapter of Sigma Chi at Purdue University was established. It was the first Greek organization on campus founded by the first Purdue graduate, John B. Harper is shown in the image on the right. It took these men four months to overcome the opposition put upon Sigma Chi by the University. With the new presidency of Emerson E. White, put in place a plan to eliminate fraternities from the university and enforced an agreement before graduation that stated that no student enrolled in the university could join a Greek society and current members of the chapter were forbidden to participant in any fraternal events. This became a legal dispute that went to the supreme court that was known as the Purdue Case. The university lost and president White was fired from the university.
Greek Life Today
With nearly 50 fraternities and more than 30 sororities, Purdue has one of the largest Greek communities in the country. Members of each chapter can be seen throughout campus wearing their letters. Purdue Greeks are extremely involved around campus hold high ranking positions such IFC president, BGR president, VP of Student Government and many others. Students who join fraternities and sororities enjoy many benefits; Lifelong friendships. Commitment to academic success within their individual organizations and access to resources that help students succeed academically, Involvement in campus activities, Leadership opportunities within their respective organizations, and participation in volunteer and community service activities
Traditions of Greek Life
Purdue Greeks have had many traditions dating back to the early 1900's such as the Purdue Circus. The first Purdue virus was healed on Stuart Field on May 1st 1913. Forty organizations made mostly of Greek organizations made floats and marched through the main streets of Lafayette before the evening performance preformed by Greeks. A brochure of the circus from 1916 is shown on the left. Purdue Greeks have many other traditions that are held in the spirit of philanthropy such as the ZTA sorority hosts the Big Man On Campus pageant, where fraternities choose one member to perform his talents in order to raise money for breast cancer awareness. Also it is a tradition amongst the fraternities to participate in Grand Prix, a go cart race, in which members of each fraternity build their own go cart and race them around Purdue's Grand Prix track. Leading up to the Grand Prix race Fraternities pair up with Sororities and have a week long celebration with different events each day and the Fraternity chapter house.
Chapter HousesPurdue is home to some of the largest Fraternity and Sorority houses in the nation! Many of Purdue's chapter houses date back to the early 1900's some of which are considered to be of historical value. The Delta Delta Delta sorority chapter house is the largest sorority house in the nation. Most of the chapter house have a capacity of occupancy of 80 plus members.
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Quick Facts
- About 20% of Purdue's student population is Greek
- 41 Social Fraternities
- 11 Multicultural Fraternities
- 7 Historically African-American Fraternities
- 20 Social Sororities