National Gallup Poll reveals interfraternal trends

IMPROVED WELL-BEING AMONG U.S. COLLEGE GRADUATES WHO JOINED FRATERNITIES AND SORORITIES

Results for the Gallup-Purdue Index are based on online surveys conducted Feb. 4-March 7, 2014, with a random sample of 29,560 respondents with a bachelor’s degree or higher, aged 18 and older, with internet access, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia. This included 5,137 fraternity and sorority members. The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) and National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) partnered with Gallup for this first-of-its-kind study.

When it comes to being engaged at work and experiencing high well-being after graduation, a Gallup-Purdue University Index study of U.S. college graduates found that graduates who are members of fraternities or sororities are more likely to thrive in all five elements of well-being during their post-graduate years than those graduates who did not join. The study revealed that respondents identifying themselves as members of fraternities and sororities—16 percent of respondents indicated that they were a member of a national fraternity or sorority while attending college—scored better in overall well-being, workplace engagement, collegiate support, experiential learning and alumni attachment.

OVERALL WELL-BEING

Graduates who participated in fraternities or sororities are slightly more likely to be thriving in all five critical elements of well-being—purpose, social, financial, physical and community—than are graduates who did not participate in fraternities or sororities.

WORKPLACE ENGAGEMENT

National results show 43% of college graduates who were members of a fraternity or sorority are engaged in the workplace, compared to 38% of college graduates who were not members.

SUPPORT

The support graduates recall receiving from their institution as students is also important well into their post-graduate careers. 16% of graduates who participated in fraternities or sororities and who say they had a professor who cared about them as a person—one who made them excited about learning, and had a mentor who encouraged them to pursue their dreams are emotionally attached, compared with 13% of graduates who did not participate in fraternities or sororities.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Similarly, graduates with fraternity or sorority affiliation and membership in college were more likely to have taken advantage of experiential learning opportunities while in college (11%) than graduates who were not members (5%).

ALUMNI ATTACHMENT

Alumni who participated in fraternities or sororities exhibit higher emotional attachment to their school. 22% of those who were in sororities or fraternities are attached, compared with 17% who were not members.

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MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE RESEARCH

Wall Street Journal: Greek Life Shown to be Linked to Real-Life Happiness
Business Insider: People Who Were In Frats And Sororities Are Better At Their Jobs
Inside Higher Ed: Participants in Greek System Thrive After College, Gallup Finds
NPR’s Here and Now: Does College Pledging Lead To Greater Happiness And Success?
Cleveland.com: Fraternity and sorority members more likely to thrive in their career, report says: Higher Education Roundup
MLive.com: Greek life leads to a happy life for college graduates, Gallup study says
Vox.com: Sorry, nerds: Fraternity brothers have more fulfilling lives later on
Gallup Blog: Fraternity and Sorority Membership Linked to Higher Well-Being for College Grads

North American Interfraternity Conference passes landmark reforms

Indianapolis, Dec. 3, 2015—The North American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) passed landmark reforms today to enhance the fraternity experience and increase standards for its member organizations and the 375,000 undergraduate fraternity men across North America.

The reforms, as recommended by the NIC 2.0 Commission, were discussed through a comprehensive internal dialogue in an effort to best serve the needs of all 73 member fraternities. As a result, the NIC has established five priorities to instill trust and confidence in fraternities:

Create an effective grassroots program for all Interfraternity Councils (IFC) and provide exceptional support for “Focus Campuses” in an effort to strengthen and build healthier fraternity communities.
Develop consistent educational programming for all IFC officers, staff, and volunteers.
Create a database that allows members to make data-driven decisions, share best practices, and streamline operations.
Lead a sophisticated public relations efforts to advance the “fraternity” brand.
Produce effective advocacy programs that strengthen higher education partnerships and utilize governmental and legal affairs.

This is a new day for the NIC. These actions are the product of a significant collaborative effort between fraternities and our higher education partners. We are appreciative of the commitment NIC members have made to invest in a stronger, more robust trade association that is prepared to serve the needs of the 21st century fraternity and education community,” Interim NIC President and CEO Judson Horras said. “It is a true testament of the organization’s devotion to the key cornerstones of Fraternity men: developing lifelong friendships, scholarship, and leadership skills.”

As part of a diverse and inclusive fraternal community, the NIC’s member fraternities also unanimously supported an investment in multicultural and emerging fraternities.

I am encouraged by the NIC’s effort to advance the development of student communities,” Veronica Moore, President of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) said. “Throughout this process, the NIC listened to the voices of our members to ensure their perspective was represented in this reorganization.”

The NIC is committed to ensuring each fraternity sets an example of academic success, service, leadership, and philanthropy. The new direction of the NIC will allow fraternities to be a vital and productive part of the educational experience both now and in the future.