WSU to Delay Greek Recruitment Until Fall 2027

The university will defer fraternity and sorority recruitment for first-year students to the second semester.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in College Life

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a collegiate brick building, evoking an institutional campus setting for policy analysis. — Washington State University will delay fraternity and sorority recruitment for first-year students until the spring semester starting in fall 2027. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Starting in fall 2027, Washington State University will delay fraternity and sorority recruitment for first-year students until their second semester. This policy update aims to foster a stronger sense of belonging and improve student retention.

Why it matters

The decision follows intense scrutiny regarding hazing, drug, and alcohol incidents within Greek life. The change also addresses concerns about university duty of care, which were brought to the forefront following the 2019 death of a student.

First-year students under the age of 20 must live in residence halls under the university mandate. The policy change comes seven years after the 2019 death of 19-year-old student Sam Martinez due to acute alcohol poisoning.

The players

Washington State University

This public research university located in Pullman is the institution implementing the new recruitment policy.

Sam Martinez

He was a student who died in 2019 at the Alpha Tau Omega house due to acute alcohol poisoning.

The details

The university plans to implement a new first-semester pathway program that provides students with staff guidance and peer mentors. Additionally, stricter recognition guidelines for fraternities and sororities are being introduced to ensure campus safety.

Sam Martinez died of acute alcohol poisoning in 2019.
The new deferred Greek recruitment policy begins in fall 2027.

Culture Shift

This policy change aligns with the growing trend among major universities to move away from first-semester Greek recruitment to protect student well-being. By mirroring policies at institutions like Baylor and Cornell, the university is prioritizing freshman acclimation over early social integration.

First-year students will spend their initial semester in residence halls with mandatory peer support rather than engaging in early fraternity or sorority recruitment. Parents and students should anticipate these lifestyle adjustments to the traditional campus experience starting in fall 2027.

The takeaway

Students can benefit from waiting until their second semester to join Greek organizations as it allows for better academic and personal adjustment to college life. This transition period is designed to help freshmen build a support system before navigating the social demands of Greek Row.