HAMILTON, NY — As Colgate University celebrates its bicentennial and looks forward to the next two hundred years, fraternities across campus mourn the loss of their social relevance as students opt to participate in the Commons program instead of joining Greek Letter Organizations.
“We have never had an issue getting guys to come to our Super Bowl event,” said senior Jack White of Phi Tau, “but this year Dart Colegrove Commons was hosting a meditation session at the same time and everyone was there instead.”
White is not the only Colgate student confused by the emergence of the Commons as a social outlet. Sophomore David Rossman voiced his concerns with the Commons program to the Rag, saying, “I’m in charge of pledges for my fraternity, and if things keep going this way, we are not going to get enough guys.” Rossman has repeatedly reached out to first-years to invite them to rush events, but has found himself turned down in favor of bubble tea and face masks with Brown Commons. “It has gotten to the point where I check Colgate’s campus calendar to make sure the Commons aren’t hosting anything before I plan a rush event,” said Rossman.
Colgate’s long tradition of Greek life has been dominant on campus for decades. However, many first-year students are choosing to forgo rush in favor of the Commons program. “The Commons offers me every social opportunity I need on campus,” said first-year Trevor Sanders. “I would much rather paint pottery and watch a movie than play pong in some dirty basement.”
The Colgate administration is excited by the success of the Commons among first-year students. “It doesn’t surprise me, really,” said Dean McLoughlin, “I knew that if students just took a chance on trivia and baking, they would fall in love with the Commons program and the opportunities it provides.”
While first-years and the administration bask in the triumph of the Commons program, members of fraternities are left to wonder what this will mean for their social standing on campus. “I guess we took it for granted that guys would want to rush every year,” said junior Charlie Collins. “At least every other frat is in the same boat.”
In a moment of historic transition on Colgate’s campus, the past 200 years are being put to rest as Greek life moves from the epicenter of the social scene to just a distant memory. And in the place once held by sweaty bodies and Keystone, comes friendship bracelets and hot chocolate sponsored by the Colgate administration.
The Monthly Rag 
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