Greeks three times more likely to graduate (WSU Study)

[thetygerlily]

Something good in the news about Greeks, for a change! Heard this on the radio on my way home today.

PULLMAN, Wash. —
A recent study at Washington State University found that freshmen who were enrolled in science and engineering programs, were members of fraternities or sororities or were varsity athletes had higher graduation rates than other students.

The study was of 6,000 WSU students who enrolled as freshmen in Pullman in the fall of either 2002 or 2003.

All other influences being equal, the study found students enrolled in science or engineering programs or members of a fraternity or sorority were nearly three times as likely to graduate within five or six years of their initial enrollment as students who were not.

Full article:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012402921_apwagraduationsuccess1stldwritethru.htm l

[pshsx1]

All other influences being equal, the study found students enrolled in science or engineering programs or members of a fraternity or sorority were nearly three times as likely to graduate within five or six years of their initial enrollment as students who were not.

I hope and pray!!!

Does that mean I'm twice as likely? Yaaaaay

ETA: Well... twice as three times as likely...

[lovely1919]

That makes sense. Students who are involved with Greek life have more incentive to get good grades and are more attached to their school.

Also, I heard that 60% of all CEOs of major corporations are Greek? (have no idea if that percentage is credible, but it sure sounds good! lol.)

[AnchorAlum]

Not only that, but I read in our magazine that something like 67% of all monies donated to dear old Alma Mater came from members of GLO's.

[thetygerlily]

This is super old, but I wrote a paper on women's GLOs (why they were founded, their purposes, role in society, etc) in 2005 & here's a section about GLOs' impact at a school that banned Greeks & later allowed them. Lots of positives here:

Texas Christian University officially prohibited fraternities and sororities on its campus in 1873. In 1948, they were facing a major student spirit crisis and looked to other schools for help. They received such an overwhelming pro-Greek response that they decided to allow Greeks.

Texas Christian University quickly acquired 8 fraternities and 10 sororities, which achieved “a wholesome and stimulating spirit of the student body which made campus life more livable for all”. They found that Greeks improved scholastic achievement on campus, provided opportunities for leadership, raised the moral and ethical standards on campus, provided training for civic, social, and community responsibility, and increased loyalty to the school. This last bit was especially important because after GLOs came to campus, university alumni loyalty almost doubled- which means more alumni donations and money for the school. The university was so grateful that in 1965 they built a $4.5 million Greek housing complex.

I'll even include my source for you all lest this be known as hearsay To be super specific, the above is drawn from pages 34-35.
Robson, John William. The college fraternity and its modern role. Menasha: George Banta Company, Inc., 1966.

[violetpretty]

Do you think being Greek makes you care about school or that you go Greek because academics are already important to you?

It's the same thing with science/engineering majors. The types of people who choose those majors are already serious about school.

Either way, it is good publicity for Greeks.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Do you think being Greek makes you care about school or that you go Greek because academics are already important to you?

It's the same thing with science/engineering majors. The types of people who choose those majors are already serious about school.

Either way, it is good publicity for Greeks.

It might be a combination of the over. One you probably have people to help you or study with you. Also though there is usually a GPA requirement to stay an active member of a fraternity or sorority. and as one of my alumni once said, "you don't do us any good if you drop out". So perhaps that can help push you a tiny bit?