Freshmen rushing fraternities and sororities this fall have found themselves at the center of a tug-of-war between the administration and Greek organizations.
In a letter sent to parents and guardians of the Class of 2008 this summer, the University "strongly discourage[d]" joining Greek organizations and urged students "to expand their circles of acquaintances and experiences, not prematurely narrow them."
The letter represented the most direct University appeal to students not to take part in Greek life in many years.
"We asked freshmen in a voluntary way to not be involved in rush," Dean of Undergraduate Students Kathleen Deignan said. "We wanted them to focus on orientation and get acclimated to classes. . . . They should explore the first several months without having to commit the time and money to these organizations."
In the letter, the University also emphasized that the fraternities and sororities on campus are not official.
Representatives from fraternities and sororities said they resented the University's portrayal of Greek life.
Jen Ragus '06, a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, said, "Princeton doesn't really provide any formal mechanism for bringing freshmen and upperclassmen together.
"Through frats and sororities, older members can give new students advice, make them feel more comfortable and help them to adjust to college."
But the University argues that since rush is selective, fraternities and sororities create "a sense of social exclusiveness."
Creighton Page '05, president of Pi Kappa Alpha, echoed Ragus's sentiments, citing the unifying effect of Greek life.
"Frats and sororities allow people to form a sense of brotherhood by creating lasting bonds among people that might otherwise not have anything in common," he said.
Page added he was disappointed and surprised that the University would "issue this letter after claiming a desire to cultivate a positive relationship with the frats and sororities."
According to Page, Deignan invited the presidents of each fraternity and sorority to meet with members of the administration last fall to resolve differences.
The letter also states that fraternities and sororities denied the University's request to defer rush a few months to allow freshmen a period of adjustment.
"I don't know how the administration can accuse us of being selective when the whole University is about selectivity," Page said, citing Bicker eating clubs and competitive Wilson School admission.
Greek organizations said rush numbers have not been seriously affected.
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