The Conservative Corner of the Liberal Academy? Fraternity/Sorority Membership, Politics, and Activism

Abstract

We use a longitudinal dataset to explore the effect of fraternity/sorority membership on political orientation and social/political activism. After controlling for a variety of potentially confounding variables, including pretests on the dependent variables, fraternity and sorority members were significantly less liberal that their unaffiliated peers after four years of college. There were no differences in social/political activism associated with fraternity/sorority membership. We conclude by discussing implications for student affairs practice and future research.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by generous grants from the Center of Inquiry in the Liberal Arts at Wabash College and the Spencer Foundation to the Center for Research on Undergraduate Education at The University of Iowa.

Notes on contributors

Michael S. Hevel

Michael S. Hevel, Assistant Professor of Higher Education at The University of Arkansas. Dustin D. Weeden and Kira Pasquesi, Doctoral Candidates in Higher Education and Student Affairs at The University of Iowa. Ernest T. Pascarella, Professor and Mary Louise Petersen Chair of Higher Education at The University of Iowa.

Dustin D. Weeden

Michael S. Hevel, Assistant Professor of Higher Education at The University of Arkansas. Dustin D. Weeden and Kira Pasquesi, Doctoral Candidates in Higher Education and Student Affairs at The University of Iowa. Ernest T. Pascarella, Professor and Mary Louise Petersen Chair of Higher Education at The University of Iowa.

Kira Pasquesi

Michael S. Hevel, Assistant Professor of Higher Education at The University of Arkansas. Dustin D. Weeden and Kira Pasquesi, Doctoral Candidates in Higher Education and Student Affairs at The University of Iowa. Ernest T. Pascarella, Professor and Mary Louise Petersen Chair of Higher Education at The University of Iowa.

Ernest T. Pascarella

Michael S. Hevel, Assistant Professor of Higher Education at The University of Arkansas. Dustin D. Weeden and Kira Pasquesi, Doctoral Candidates in Higher Education and Student Affairs at The University of Iowa. Ernest T. Pascarella, Professor and Mary Louise Petersen Chair of Higher Education at The University of Iowa.