Experiences and Perceptions of Fat-Bodied Students with National Pan-Hellenic Council Sororities and Fraternities

Abstract

Many college students want to feel connected to their campus community. However, for fat-bodied students, their experiences are often lost in the influx of opinions from students, staff, faculty, and university administrators. The literature on the experiences of fat-bodied students in higher education is minimal, with the literature on fat-bodied students participating in fraternity and sorority life being even more limited. This research serves to highlight the emerging findings of a research study exploring the lived experiences and preconceived ideas of fat-bodied students’ engagement with National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) sororities and fraternities, and the professional perspective of higher education professionals.