Elizabethtown College is known for its close, tight-knit, supportive Blue Jay family that pursues new opportunities and enjoys giving back to the community, honoring its motto, “Educate for Service.” Although the institution boasts numerous clubs and organizations, it does not offer Greek Life—until now. Beginning in the fall 2023 semester, Etown students will be able to join sororities and fraternities.
This decision seemingly came out of nowhere, but according to anonymous sources, this plan has been in the works for years, as the College believes it will benefit student life on campus.
Sophomore Alyssa Crane also adopts this opinion. She expressed excitement about this announcement, waiting in eager anticipation for next semester.
“I’m personally very excited because growing up, I never had an older sister, so this can give me the opportunity to get the sister I’ve never had,” Crane shared. “This is a great chance for everyone to have a unique experience on campus and make connections with new people. It also gives me something to do.”
When asked why she chose to attend Etown even though it did not offer Greek Life when this was her “dream,” Crane did not answer the question and instead began talking about the sororities she wants to join the most.
However, not all students are pleased with this decision. Fellow sophomore Katelyn Ritchey does not believe this will be a beneficial addition to the campus community.
“We don’t need this,” Ritchey said. “We already have sports teams.”
Along with paying tuition and room and board, students who choose to participate in Greek Life must also pay the additional fees required by their fraternity or sorority, and these costs can quickly accrue. However, Etown generously hopes to present a solution to a single student. It will be offering the Saturdays Are For The Jays Scholarship, which covers all Greek Life-related expenses for the student who submits the best recruitment video via TikTok.
“I’ve personally had a lot of experience on the TikTok app, and so I know what kind of videos get views,” Crane expressed. “I also really like watching recruitment videos from [other universities], so I can implement the skills I’ve learned from those along with my own tricks to win this scholarship.”
On the other hand, when Ritchey was asked if she will participate in the competition for this scholarship, she replied, “I do not have TikTok. I do not have a cellphone. I do not have a laptop. I use a typewriter. They can’t make me join this.”
The implementation of Greek Life on campus poses one problem: where will the fraternity and sorority houses be located? Residence halls cannot be reconstructed to create space due to the increase in enrollment in recent years. Instead, the College will be knocking down Nicarry, expecting a decline in class attendance as people join these groups.
When told that the College plans to tear down the academic building to create sorority and fraternity housing, Ritchey was appalled, calling this decision “despicable.”
“I’m going to write signs using my typewriter to protest Greek Life on campus, and I’m going to hang them all over the school,” she said while vigorously nodding. “I will sit outside of the construction zone with my typewriter and have class by myself. I refuse to go into any academic building now.”
The decision to offer Greek Life at Etown has clearly divided the campus community. However, students are reminded that they are not required to participate. Applications for the Saturdays Are For The Jays Scholarship are due on Saturday, April 1 by 11:59 p.m. via direct message (DM) on TikTok to @etowncollege. If students have any questions, they can send these by DMing that account. Email, phone calls and messages written on typewriters will be ignored.
