Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice
The Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice (formerly Oracle: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors) is a peer-reviewed electronic journal dedicated to the study of fraternities and sororities.
Copyright (c) 2025 Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice
Editorial for Issue 1 of Volume 20 of the Journal of Sorority and Fraternity Life Research and Practice
Experiences and Perceptions of Fat-Bodied Students with National Pan-Hellenic Council Sororities and Fraternities
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.
“The Asian Frat”: Racialized Status and Stereotypes in the Field of Fraternities at an Elite University
This paper applies Bourdieusian field theory to examine a predominantly East Asian but historically White fraternity at an elite university in the Northeast United States. Drawing upon interviews and participant observation, the study explores the symbolic violence experienced by members of the fraternity. The analysis demonstrates how different forms of capital become racialized within the field of fraternities, revealing important insights into how both new racism and old-fashioned racism are experienced and perpetuated through organizational structures. As such, this paper provides a valuable case study contributing to scholarship on anti-Asian racism, organizational theory, and fraternity studies.
“I Joined a Sorority, so That Helped a Lot . . .”: The Centrality of Black Greek Organizational Membership for Black Students and Alumni at a Rural PWI
After realizing drops in Black student enrollment at a rural, public, liberal arts institution, we utilized a mixed methods approach, including secondary data analysis and Black alumni interviews, to understand the impact of these changes. We discovered, consistent with previous research, that for many alumni, their membership in a National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) organization was central to their satisfaction with their college experience and that their connections to the campus post-graduation were often also facilitated by this membership. In addition, alumni were very aware of the change in campus racial composition over time and noted the impact it had on the health and well-being of their college chapters.
A Quantitative Analysis of Organizational Conformity in Sororities and Fraternities: Analyses on "Fitting In"
Critics perceive sororities and fraternities as spaces that breed negative decision-making and lead to harmful behaviors (e.g., hazing). A desire to “fit in” may contribute to these subcultures. Yet, little is known about what shapes organizational conformity. We present the findings from two studies, each exploring the demographic and context-based characteristics that inform organizational conformity in sororities and fraternities. Guided by theories on ecological systems and developmental meaning making, we identified settings that predict organizational conformity across sororities and fraternities (e.g., inclusive chapter climates), as well as those unique to each. We offer implications for research and practice.