At the University, dating is not only about attraction — it is also about access. Social structures like class, race and Greek life quietly influence who students meet, who they can connect with and ultimately, who gets to date whom.
Greek life
For many University students involved, Greek life is a primary factor that dictates who meets who. Fraternity mixers, date functions and formals often serve as primary spaces for socializing — yet, sometimes, they bar outside connection to the broader dating scene.
While the divide is not exactly intentional, it does seem to be structural. Because the University’s Greek organizations dominate the social landscape on Grounds, they naturally shape who interacts with whom and by extension, who develops relationships.
To further complicate things, Greek life at the University operates within a social hierarchy broadly recognized by students — where “top” fraternities are often associated with “top” sororities.
Will Costello, member of Phi Kappa Psi and second-year Commerce student, has witnessed firsthand how these prominent rankings have played a role in many of his peers’ romantic pairings.
“A number of my fraternity brothers have girlfriends, and the majority of those girlfriends are in the main sororities that we mix with,” Costello said.
Costello added that while fraternity reputations and status does not directly determine who dates who at the University, it creates conditions that favor certain connections over others.
“Social status and [fraternity] house reputation affects which sororities that [fraternities] mix or party with, which makes the majority of girls you meet come from similar social circles,” Costello said.
Second-year Architecture student Isabel Flores, who is not involved in a sorority, agrees that these dynamics in Greek life influence not only how students meet, but also what kind of romantic prospects they look for.
“[Not being in Greek life] definitely makes it harder … if you're trying to date someone in Greek life,” Flores said. “There’s just more access to dating [in Greek life] than in a club or sport.”
Economic access and social opportunity
Beyond the social hierarchies of Greek life, finances may also subtly shape students’ dating opportunities on Grounds. While certain aspects of dating — such as sorority formals or dinners downtown — come with costs that not everyone can or wants to take on, many students find that dating at the University doesn’t necessarily require spending much at all. Library meet-ups, coffee dates and free campus events offer low-stakes options to connect without the pressure of a “proper” date.
For third-year College student Mai Le, these budget-friendly options felt like a welcome shift from her previous institution. After transferring to the University last year, she found the dating culture on Grounds “less financially burdensome,” with most hangouts being more casual — grabbing coffee, studying together or attending events.
She also said that being at the University opened up different opportunities for connecting with potential romantic interests compared to her previous school.
“Coming from a smaller private school in a big city, the social scene felt more concentrated,” Le said. “Here, there are more ways to meet people through classes or clubs.”
While finances don’t always dictate whether a relationship forms, they can influence how students spend time together. Second-year Architecture student Hailey Diggs noted that having economic flexibility — such as access to a car, disposable income for activities and utilization of parents’ credit cards affect what dating looks like in practice.
“It makes the relationship more fun if you can go on dates and stuff, but it also depends on the couple,” Diggs said.
While she adds that “it’s fun doing anything,” she mentions that having the ability to consistently go on outings or dates without financial worry can make a relationship feel easier — with the opposite meaning that financial differences can become much more visible.
“If one person says, ‘let's go do this, let's go do this’, and the other is like, ‘Well I can't really afford that,’” she said, “it just depends on how well they communicate with each other.”
Le echoed that financial differences don’t necessarily determine who forms relationships, and that commonality is what really matters.
“Some relationships or friendships form around shared interests or values,” Le said. “Who you meet usually depends on common experiences [more] than anything else.”
Cultural identity and connection
Cultural and racial identity can also play a quiet, yet powerful role in shaping student experiences in dating. At a predominately white institution, some University students from underrepresented communities say that they tend to form connections within their own cultural or social circles for comfort and understanding.
Chloe Miles, member of Black Girls United and second-year Commerce student, said that she expected dating on Grounds to occur naturally and to feel more genuine than it has proven itself to be — particularly when it comes to navigating race and authenticity in social settings.
“I thought it would be a lot easier to date and have a boyfriend, because, for some reason, I thought people's intentions would be different and more pure,” Miles said.
Miles explained that her disappointment stems partly from how superficial interactions can feel, especially in predominantly white social spaces. For her, finding sincerity in relationships often overlaps with shared cultural understanding — something she has experienced strongly within supportive Black communities on Grounds like the Divine Nine.
While organizations like the Divine Nine foster strong connections, Miles noted that for students who are not yet connected to those networks, it can take initiative to learn and engage with their events. However, she added that although being in Greek life can offer more clear-cut opportunities for romance, once students do form that connection with their organizations, they often find a welcoming community that celebrates Black culture on Grounds.
“If I was in a sorority and constantly surrounded by boys, maybe dating would be easier,” Miles said. “But within Black organizations, once you find those spaces, it's not that hard to meet people — you might just have to try a little harder.”
Many international students agree that dating often occurs within familiar cultural spaces rather than Greek life or other structured social scenes. International student from Vietnam and second-year Architecture student Emily Pham said romantic connections often emerge naturally from circles international students already occupy.
“A lot of international students will hang out with each other,” Pham said. “It just depends on who you hang out with. I think then you form your circles, and then that's who you meet, and then you start dating from there.”
Pham mentions that cultural clubs can make dating feel more accessible — not by limiting options, but by creating spaces where students feel comfortable putting themselves out there.
“If you put yourself out there and you meet more people, then it's easier for you to meet someone that you really like, and maybe that's who you end up dating,” Said Pham.
Ultimately, she found that dating is shaped as much by general optimism as by environment and one’s general circle.
“I think it just depends on how you approach the idea,” Pham said. “If you want to date someone, maybe you go out there and be more open to meeting new people. So I think it's just your mindset on it really.”
Expanding the circle
While certain systems like Greek life or cultural organizations shape spaces where relationships have the potential to start, University students still have to navigate and expand those boundaries in search of something meaningful. From Greek life mixers to chance encounters in classes to shared interests in clubs, students remain hopeful that the University’s dating scene is ultimately conducive to finding that special someone.
“My parents went here and met here … and I was thinking that I’d immediately find my husband on the first day of school,” Miles said. “So far that has not proven to be true, but we’ll see.”
Read More
Student groups offer resources to support academics and wellness during finals season
By Lily Kostro | December 12, 2025While the Fall 2025 semester continues to close with students taking final exams, the University and other groups on Grounds are providing free academic support and mental health resources to students.
Do it alone
By Elizabeth Adams | December 10, 2025As a first-year student adjusting to college life, I realized that although I was constantly surrounded by people, there were often circumstances where I was very much on my own.
Academic and Student Life Committee approves degree programs and professorships
By Jaylynn Perez | December 8, 2025The Academic and Student Life Committee oversees University operations connected to student affairs, including athletics, safety, residential life and dining.
