GREEK L.I.F.E. FORUM

Summary Report

Introduction

On March 25-26, 2000, the Greek L.I.F.E. Forum was convened in order to address five critical areas. It was acknowledged that the Forum provided a gateway for making substantive improvements within individual chapters while allowing the stakeholders to demonstrate a collective resolve to proactively

respond to challenges facing fraternities and sororities at Rensselaer.

A total of 128 participants representing undergraduate chapter presidents, advisors, alumni presidents, national offices, the Rensselaer administration, and national experts spent l.5 days in small groups discussing the following:

· Independent Group Living

· New Member Education and Recruitment

· Leadership Development

· General Safety and Fire protection

· Alcohol and Other Drugs

The Forum ended with the understanding that a summary report would be prepared and a Task Force would be convened and charged with responsibility for the following:

1) review of the summary report and recommendations;

2) redrafting of the Statement of Relationship by the end the calendar year 2000;

3) identification of initiatives that merit inclusion in the Performance Planning process, with recommendations submitted to the Interim Vice President for Student Life no later than October 15, 2000 and

4) assist the Interim Dean of Students in amending the Relationship Statement, according to the procedures as outlined on page ii of the document as adopted on April 1, 1991.

This process should be completed no later than the end of the spring, 2001 semester.

This summary is based on notes gathered during the final reports from each of the representatives of the working groups, copies of their overheads/presentation notes, and overviews prepared by student assistants.

This document should serve as a starting point in the deliberations of the Task Force with the understanding that the group can and should feel free to gather additional information from other sources and conduct its work in an unconstrained manner.

Independent Group Living

The following was determined to be the vision for independent group living: a learning model for responsible organizational management Components of the model:

· Minimal supervision

· Self governance

· Positive community relations

· Fiscal accountability

· Personal skill development

Issues that need to be addressed in order for the model to be actualized:

· Alumni communication must be sustained

· Scholastic achievement necessitates the involvement of advisors

· Social outlets may not be positive

· Leadership transitions are not smooth

· Baseline standards are not evident

· There is a lack of consistency in how things are managed

· The current Relationship Statement does not adequately address the issues

It was determined that alumni support is essential for chapter success. With this construct in mind, it was recommended that the Relationship Statement be revised to include a requirement for one of the following:

· An active alumni association or housing corporation

· Local house manager (could be chapter advisor)

· Live-in manager

In the absence of an active alumni association or housing corporation, the manager (local or live-in) would be required to support chapter leadership development (financial, scholastic, operational, and house management). In addition, the manager must attend a minimum of four house meetings during the calendar year (sororities would be exempt from this requirement). The manager would conduct semester audits with DOSO.

The implementation strategy included the establishment of an alumni association/housing corporation in accordance with National policies. It was recommended that consequences should exist for failure to implement the manager initiative and be phased in over 3 semesters as follows:

· After first semester of non-compliance, provide assistance from Rensselaer and the National.

· After the second semester of non-compliance, Rensselaer and the National provide guidance and recommendations.

· After the third semester of non-compliance, impose penalties, including loss of recognition.

New Member Education and Recruitment

It was determined that the Relationship Statement is complete in terms of recruitment and new member programs. A review of the survey data identified the top priorities: 1) more attention to the development of sisterhood and brotherhood; 2) quality of chapter recruitment and; 3) more alumni involvement.

There is agreement that four weeks of rush is adequate but there is no consensus on when it should occur. There is also a perspective that more targeting of upperclassmen should take place. Lack of unity between

organizations and competition for new members generates a negative environment.

Leadership training and education programs focused on "learning about the organization" should be stressed more in new member initiatives. Alumni involvement would serve to enhance education efforts and help maintain consistency of valued traditions.

The following summary denotes the core challenges for new member education:

· Clearer articulation of expectations for new members (financial obligations, length of program, treatment, standards)

· Clarifying goals and objectives (National vs. local)

· Content of the written materials

· Empowerment of new members and retention

A review of recruitment issues revealed the following challenges:

· Alcohol has become a central part of the recruitment/marketing campaign (`zero tolerance" policy is appropriate)

· Negative stereotypes of Creek Life need to addressed

· More attention to personalized recruitment and increased involvement of members

· Need for more focus on quality as opposed to quantity

· Overall approach needs to reflect values that are consistent with those of the Institute (e.g. stress academics more)

· Programs need to move beyond the social

Leadership Development

The following vision statement was recommended for adoption: To become a national model of excellence that fosters community identity in scholarship, diversity, character development, and leadership for all members.

In order to actualize the vision, the following goals were articulated:

Scholarship

GOAL: increase the Greek average GPA to surpass the campus average

Character

GOAL: no house on probation or suspension and all houses follow safety rules. Greek community pride equal to house pride.

Diversity

GOAL: share fraternity culture with others (during rush) and non-Greeks should not be excluded. Foster houses with different environments and different types of people. Realize the strength of the community through diversity.

Leadership

GOAL: leadership development programs for new members. Develop networking and training opportunities for officers. Involve alumni in order to maintain consistency. Unify Panhel and IFC.

Community Identity

There is recognition that within the Creek Life community there are common problems and all are subjected to the same rules and expectations. Therefore, the focus should be on the common experience and the integrity of the system first. Quasi-nationalistic pride was considered ultimately self-destructive.

GOALS:

· Change the IFC election process

· Develop a generic identity during rush and campus functions

· Create an active Creek Week with administration involvement

· Develop a Creek-CD-ROM

· Help with distribution of laptops

· Co-sponsorevents

· Develop a Creek web site

· Develop Greek publications and publish articles in the POLY

· Create a resource room

· Create a Greek happy hour

· Share programs and information

· Sponsor an all-Greek formal

It was concluded that individual chapters need to recognize that they are not above the system. The strength of the larger community can serve as a recruitment tool and foster a positive environment where Creeks won't have to explain or justify their existence.

This approach will enable us to produce a national model based on Institute support, a rich Creek history, alumni involvement, self-governance, and community identity. The Relationship Statement is not enough. There needs to be a commitment to not just survive but to thrive.

General Safety and Fire Protection

It was generally agreed that chapters have not consistently met the safety and inspection requirements of the Relationship Statement. There are many perspectives and a non-uniform approach to addressing the issues.

The key proposals presented for review and discussion are as follows:

· Have a certified inspector train each house/risk manager to do thorough inspections of the house, including fire, sanitation, safety, etc. An alumni board member should participate in the inspection and both would be required to sign off regarding the house meeting safety standards.

· Establish accountability by fining or suspending houses that fail to comply with safety and inspection requirements. Seek financial support from the Institute (loans and/or grants) for house safety improvements.

· Add a referral link to the Student handbook within the Relationship Statement to remind Creeks of their responsibilities concerning sexual harassment and other matters of student conduct.

Conduct a general review of Greek Life liability issues, drawing on studies and or reports conducted by the Institute and AIGC. Develop a comprehensive program and policy.

Alcohol and Other Drugs

The majority of group discussion focused on alcohol, rather than use of other drugs due to the dominant role it has on this campus. The following issues were highlighted during the discussion:

· Accountability

· Liability (Institute, chapter members, chapter advisors)

· Effect on rush

· Clarity of policies

· Social atmosphere

Accountability

· Individuals need to be responsible to self and chapter members

· Older members need to mentor younger members

· Chapter leadership needs to set the tone

· There needs to be knowledge of the laws and consequences

Liability (Institute, chapter members, chapter advisors)

· How do we reconcile dealing with a real problem (binge and underage drinking), while keeping legal issues in mind.

· Should we institute prohibition in order to minimize liability

· Continue education programs (TIPS, outside speakers, etc)

Effect on rush

· Wet/dry rush must be addressed by the IFC

· Impact of alcohol on house identity

· Emphasize alternatives for social interaction

· If there is common agreement, what will it take to make Dry Rush a reality?

Clarity of policies

· Nine page policy is too long and not readily accessible to everyone

· Develop strong clear policies that can be enforced

· Is "Zero tolerance" proactive or reactive?

· Publicize violations in order to educate other houses

Social atmosphere

· Social Atmosphere

· Easy access to alcohol

· Society sends mixed message

· Lax enforcement of drinking laws

· Emphasize activities that do not revolve around drinking

Conclusion

· Alumni and chapter officers need to step up

· Institute needs to be more inclusive (positive, effective programming)

· There is some degree of consensus on common problems and solutions

· Impact of women going dry needs to studied