As with all student organizations on our campuses, the membership is open, but few students choose to join. If America had been a country without sexism, racism, and other oppressions, maybe fraternities and sororities would have never evolved. Sororities evolved because both fraternities and our institutions were hostile environments to those few women who chose to pursue a college education in the late 19th century. Even with our progress as a nation and society, we now see the trends continuing with the growth of Latino, Asian, and gay fraternities and sororities. Students continue to express their desire and need to belong to an organization where they can find members with similar traits yet still be challenged by the diversity each member brings to the group.
Sororities exist to support women in education and society.
They provide women with opportunities for leadership and service. Out of respect of the historical missions of these organizations, as well as the need for opportunities for those student populations that have been historically oppressed, colleges and universities should and must respect the single-sex nature of fraternities and sororities. That is not to say that universities and colleges should not establish standards for all of their student organizations, including fraternities and sororities. The challenges and concerns that are inherent with most student organizations require us to work collaboratively with our students in determining what are appropriate behaviors and expectations. Men will change their behaviors and act more civilized when women are brought into the environment.