Student social organizations in other countries.

[Tulip86]

ETA. I decited to delete most of my posts here since, due to huge changes in the government and University policies, the Dutch "greek" system is changing very rapidly, and I wouldn't want to post any information that won't be valid a few months from now.





All I can truly state is that there are lots of fraternities and sororities in The Netherlands.
All are local and they vary in size from 10 to 50 active members.

Some fraternities/sororities are part of larger student groups called "studentenverenigingen" (also local) that vary from 50 - 3500 in members. These date back to the 1700s, formalizing in the 1800s. Some are mixed, some just men or women.
You can join one of these groups in September during the University Introduction days. After going through a pledge period you're initiated as a member. After a few weeks you usually form a Yeargroup with a 6-20 people from your pledgeclass. After a few months of membership you may go through "mini-recruitment" to join a sorority or fraternity ( sororities/fraternities are sometimes called verticals). Joining once again requires a pledge period.
Fraternities/sororities/student groups have a coat of arms, name with symbolic meaning (no Greek letters), symbols etc.

Some fraternities/sororities/student groups own/rent houses were some members can live.
Most also own a building where officers work out of and there's usually a bar in the building where members meet several times a week.
Most fraternities/sororities/student groups work with philantrophies.
Both fraternities/sororities and student groups have active alumni networks. You receive alum status once you graduate, which usually takes around 6 years since most students in the Netherlands pursue a graduate degree right after undergrad and graduate students are still seen as active members.