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fter disaffiliating from her sorority, Medill fourth-year Eden Hirschfield felt inspired to offer students social opportunities outside of the Greek life environment. She had several ideas in mind, including the possibility of opening her own bar in Evanston, and took her concepts to The Garage. At the end of last year, she applied for and was eventually awarded a grant from the Propel Program, which she used to start her organization, the Indigo Social Club (ISC). “Even when I was in a sorority, I was always like, ‘I feel like I could make a social club that takes the good parts of being in a sorority, which is having community, meeting older members, having a social schedule — and kind of ditch the bad,’” Hirschfield says. Following the COVID-19 pandemic and Abolish Greek Life movement at Northwestern, only 20% of Northwestern students are currently affiliated with Greek life, according to Evanston
Now. This is a significant decrease from the 20192020 academic year, during which Chicago magazine notes that 3540% of undergraduates were affiliated with a fraternity or sorority. In the wake of these changing dynamics, as well as an increasing awareness of systemic issues within Greek life as a result of the Abolish Greek Life movement, some students are looking for community elsewhere. Northwestern has nearly 500 clubs and organizations that appear ready to fill the social role. The Northwestern Club Swim Team’s membership has almost doubled this year, from 54 registered members in the 20192020 academic year to a current total of 98. Membership is open to swimmers of all skill levels, with around four meets per season. Weinberg fourth-year and Swim Club Social Chair William Paschke says that he and other members of the club's executive board have made conscious efforts to create a sense of community.
SOCIAL Where students are finding a place in the University’s new social scene. WRITTEN BY MIA WALVOORD // DESIGNED BY GRACE WANG
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“[Some members] have said it’s been very nice to have a place where you can have consistent social opportunities and parties,” Paschke says. “It’s not necessarily as intimidating as going to some random event with people you may or may not know.” Paschke plays an important role in organizing social events for club members. Swim Club hosts a variety of events including holiday celebrations, team dinners and parties. Such gatherings are only open to team members. “Everyone is looking out for each other and just creating an environment where people do feel safe. And none of the issues you might run into at a traditional frat basement party, none of that goes,” Paschke says. “We don’t really have open parties, and a big part of that is to foster that community and family. It’s not us trying to be exclusive. Anyone who wants to join the club and wants to come to practice can join, as long as they can swim.”
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