A recent opinion piece from the student paper at a (more or less Northern, not especially large) college about Greek life and its connection to other social opportunities at that school:
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2008/02/13/20067/
The opinion piece is favorable to Greek life.
Terminology note: "Bicker clubs," as I understand it, are the eating clubs whose membership is by invitation only. For recent statistics on these selective clubs, check out:
http://www.dailyprincetonian.com/2008/02/11/20033/
Just a reminder that individual Northern schools can have their own sets of traditions that may mystify other people.