Concluding Statements

After spending ten weeks researching Santa Clara University's disaffiliation from Greek life, Andrea Modugno felt confident she had discovered the answer. Starting in the 1990s, Fraternities supported discriminatory rhetoric within the University. There were specific instances in which they supported sexist or racist speech, and thus, did not align with the University's ultimate mission. Though it is hugely important to point out that this was not all Fraternities or the opinion or actions of all of the Greek system—and much of Greek life had a positive impact on campus life. As much as the researcher wanted to include those instances within her study, she believed the information did not directly coincide with her initial question: why is Santa Clara Greek life disaffiliated from the University? 

The sexist and racist rhetoric that existed in the 1990s contributed to the expulsion of Greek life, which finally occurred in 2000–but it was not the only contributing factor. Later in the 2000s Father Locatelli, the President of Santa Clara, called for a strict review of the Greek system. This was after there were continued issues with Fraternity hazing, neighborhood complaints, and cases of alcohol overconsumption. The extremely thorough examination produced a 15-page document ruling for keeping Greek life affiliated with the campus, though commenting it needed some heavy oversight and restriction. Father Locatelli dismissed the review's opinions and chose to expel Greek life from campus, believing the void could be replaced with more inclusive all-campus activities. The University's plan was to essentially replace the Greek System with the current (then brand new) RLC, Residence Living Community program. They had intended to invest into this program, as well as other on-campus social programs for students, to act as a substantial replacement for Greek life. 

Greek life has all but grown exponentially since 2000. It is estimated over twenty-five percent of Santa Clara students are involved in a Fraternity or Sorority, while many do not know which "RLC" they belong to—or even what an RLC is. Fifteen years since the University's disaffiliation with Greek life, this development calls into question whether leaving an entire organization that comprises over one-fourth of the student population continues to be a wise decision.