UR Greek Life: Failed Reform and The Case for Abolition
Photo Credit: Ryan Doherty Introduction In light of recent events depicting members of the University of Richmond’s (UR) Greek Life engaging in acts of racism and sexual assault, the Abolish Richmond Greek Life movement has seen a resurgence in UR community members calling for the abolition of the Interfraternity Council and the National Panhellenic Conference organizations that represent chapters across seven fraternities and eight sororities, respectively. Proponents of dismantling Greek Life at UR argue that the institution discriminates against students on the basis of race, gender, sexuality, and other characteristics 10
citing that fraternities and sororities were designed to other students who are not heterosexual, white, and hailing from a place of socioeconomic-privilege. The exceptions to these forms of exclusion are Greek Life chapters that were created in response to the isolation of marginalized students, such as Alpha Phi Alpha, the first historically Black intercollegiate fraternity. Disagreement and pushback against Abolish Richmond Greek Life has also arisen, with supporters of reformation to Greek Life stating that abolition is unnecessary and arguing that the institution is one of philanthropy and service to the UR community simply in need of systemic change.
