On April 19, 53 students and dozens of Greek alumni descended on Washington, D.C. for the annual Fraternal Government Relations Coalition (FGRC) Hill visits to advocate for congressional support on key issues for Greek organizations. This year, the event focused on increasing awareness in three key areas – freedom of association, stricter anti-hazing laws, and improving collegiate housing.

Students and alumni groups met with members of Congress and their staff to talk about each of the three legislative priorities. In these meetings, students were able to share their personal experiences within their fraternities and sororities to show the impact that these issues have on college campuses across the country. For students, the day on the Hill provided a unique insight into the Greek community outside of college.

So many of the people that we met with who work on the Hill had their own experiences being involved in Greek life during their time in college. They understood the importance of our mission and the benefits of fraternities and sororities to college students.

A.J. Conte, a Theta Chi at Rider University

The student and alumni groups collectively met with 271 congressional offices, including 32 meetings with various representatives and senators, throughout the day to advocate for the Greek experience.

FGRC orchestrates a fantastic program designed to build mentorships and connections between both the participating students and the experienced representatives of their organizations.

Isabella Engler, the President of the Omicron Kappa chapter of Chi Omega

Engler also highlighted the benefits to her chapter as it allowed her to educate the members in her chapter about the challenges that fraternities and sororities face on the federal level.

In addition to meetings with Members of Congress and congressional staff, participants attended the annual FSPAC Congressional dinner. Students and alumni received the opportunity to hear from more than 20 U.S. representatives and senators who are Greek as well as from FSPAC President Tom Decker.

At the reception, Members shared stories of their time in higher education and how influential Fraternity and Sorority life was to their experience. It was amazing to see how even after graduation, these members found a community with other people that shared similar experiences, and how they stay committed to ensuring future students can also have these spaces.

Marcella Martinez, a recent graduate from the University of Alabama and a Pi Beta Phi

After the FGRC Hill Day, a total of 33 cosponsors have signed on across four pieces of legislation in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. The coalition is continuing efforts to increase congressional awareness about each of the issues with the hopes of supporting hundreds of thousands of Greek students across the country.

Note: FSPAC is a member of the FGRC and its activities complement efforts of the coalition by supporting candidates who are champions of policies that will protect the interfraternal experience. FSPAC contributions are not use as part of any lobbying policy.

Pictured: U.S. House Committee on Education & the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5) and sorority leaders at the Annual FSPAC Dinner in Washington, D.C.