Learning Communities in Greek Houses

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which Greeks living in Greek housing experience outcomes associated with living in a learning community. Additionally, the study explored differences in the degree to which these outcomes were achieved by type of house (fraternity v. sorority) and type of control (university vs. private). Data were collected by administering the Learning Communities Assessment (LCA; Turrentine, 2001) to Greek students living in fraternity and sorority houses at a major research institution in the mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.

Specifically, the study was designed to address the following research questions: 1. To what extent do Greek students feel actively engaged in their communities as measured by the LCA? 2. To what extent do Greek students learn within their communities as measured by the LCA? 3. To what extent do Greek students feel a sense of community as measured by the LCA? 4. To what extent do Greek students feel their identity has been shaped by their community as measured by the LCA? 5. Are there differences in the extent to which Greek students feel actively engaged, learn, feel a sense of community, and feel their identity has been shaped by their community by type of house (sorority v. fraternity) as measured by the LCA? 6. Are there differences in the extent to which male Greek students feel actively engaged, learn, feel a sense of community, and feel their identity has been shaped by their community by type of control (university v. private) as measured by the LCA?