Interrogating the 'Exceptional': The Rhetoric and Reality of Sexual Violence and Stanford Greek Life

Abstract

Greek life is often cited as contributing significantly to the epidemic of campus sexual violence. Simultaneously, Stanford students and affiliates subscribe to the notion of Stanford exceptionalism: an understanding of Stanford Greek life as less sexually violent and problematic than Greek life at other institutions. Through my research, I seek to explore the extent to which this idea is true and the impact that the belief in Stanford exceptionalism has on the reality of sexual violence within Stanford Greek life. Based on interviews with Stanford students and affiliates, I conclude that Greek life’s sexual violence problem is a result of the system’s features, which exist regardless of the school or its individuals. My research reveals a strong belief among students in Stanford exceptionalism along with the dangerous consequences of this false image. Further, my research demonstrates that there are features unique to Stanford’s context that serve to exacerbate the relationship between Stanford Greek life and sexual violence, rather than remedy it.