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Alumni Inter-Greek Council
The AIGC was formed as a committee of the RAA to foster the overall improvement of the Rensselaer Greek community and to enhance the welfare of Rensselaer and society. The constitution and Relationship Statement between Rensselaer and Social Fraternities and Sororities form the framework of our operations.
The new board that was elected on April 14, 2007. Congratulations to Roger Grice on becoming the President of the AIGC. The other board officers are Roger Mike (VP), Ray Lutzky, Ann Dodson, Shannon Kelly, Jonathan "Jerry" Witter, and John Thomas. A promotional flyer has been made to show what we're about and things we've accomplished the last 2 years.
Use the Anchor Links to the right to easily navigate this page.
AIGC News -
AIGC Meeting - April 19, 2008 - 9am Shellnut Gallery
The spring meeting of the AIGC will be held on Saturday, April 19th from 9-11am in the Shellnut Gallery of the Student Union. Coffee and pastries will be available at 8:45. We must end before 11am due to the Rensselaer Greek Awards of Excellence reception beginning at 11am. There is a lot to cover, but we will try to keep the following agenda moving along.
Check out the video-cast of the Honorable, President Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D Town Hall Discusson from March 17th that discussion Student Life Initiatives. Greek Life is now under the office of Residence Life organization chart with the expansion of new dorm cluster deans and under the Dean of Students Office there are new class deans, and deans for international studies.
Greek Initiatives Update Meeting - Feb 25, 2008
"New Directions, New Opportunities"
A meeting was held by VP Student Life Eddie Knowles and Dean of Students Mark Smith to update the community on a report that was drafted in August 2007 and presented and approved by Dr. Jackson in November 2007. Due to some mispercention, miscommunication, and time availability, this was the first opportunity for Student Life Division to have a town meeting with the Fraternity and Sorority undergradaute leadership and chapter advisors to update them on the workings of various groups since the fateful April 2006. Below you will find minutes of the meeting and the information released after the meeting. A protocol for future working relations, documentation, and general meetings will be worked on to keep the future updates to this strategic plan more timely.
VP of Student Life Eddie Knoweles speaks to the group at the meeting held at Rensselaer Society of Engineers chapter house. (Photo by Mark Anderson, 1979/RSE, Focus on Fun Photography)
 A view of the group of undergraduate chapter leaders and chapter advisors listening intently to the speeches by the Student Life Division. (Photo by Mark Anderson, 1979/RSE, Focus on Fun Photography)
Documentation Provided after the meeting:
Successful Greek Leadership Summit - January 26, 2008
This program provided specialized, relevant training for all new leaders of our fraternity and sorority community at Rensselaer. There was nearly 100% attendance by each chapter and the IFC, Panhel, and AIGC counciles. By all accounts, the trepidation of the undergraduates in attending at such an early time and for all day were relieved by the end of the day. Most felt the format and content was great. The tract of workshops for the excutive councils helped build better understanding of the issues and of workable relations for solutions and new opportunities. The presentation material from the sessions are included below.
Topics included:
Ideas for Alumni Development for Greek Life with RPI
As an offshoot of a few years of thinking and this year's AIGC meeting in Oct and recent RAA board meeting, the ideas for broader alumni support for Greek Life and RPI student life and gained some momentum. A comparison of RPI to cohort schools like Cornell and MIT shows we are woefully lacking in support for and donation avenues towards Greek life. By working with the RPI Alumni Development Office we hope to begin to open up win-win situations for the school and students. Check out the comparison to Cornell and MIT and write the school in support of such a program. Even if you haven't given to the school and find that this might be a good way to give back to your alma mater, please solicit the school. And don't forget you can earmark your donations to the "Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs" to help with their educational programming efforts and to offset their dismal $4,000 annual budget.
Housing Committee Tackles Contractors and Maintenance
As an outcome of the Oct 2007 AIGC meeting, a small groups has been formed to look at house maintenace issues for the chapters. Their first goal is to assembly a good list of contractors for work and services. A second goal is to look at best practices and determine potential workshops that can share operations and solutions ideas. A third goal is to investigate for the possibility of a form of property management consultant to be put on retainer by a consortia of chapters. This person would help guide work and contractors as well as understand building code implicaitons. Since many chapters are facing similar situations and problems with their houses, sharing information on contractors and helping in areas outside our usual expertise can help strengthen the Greek system over all. Contacts for this group are Art Depoian (Acacia), Bob Miller (Delta Phi), Rick Kasold (Zeta Psi), Jim Hanley (Chi Phi), and Aren Paster (Tau Epsilon Phi). Please send them contractor references and fill out the housing survey noted below.
The IRS is revising the reporting requirements for non-profits with the 990 Forms. Groups that in the past did not have to report will have to at least file an electronic postcard. Be sure to become aware of the new requirements by visiting www.irs.gov/charities/index.html
Successful October 2007 Meeting
Next Meeting on April 19, 2008
The last meeting of the AIGC was held Homecoming Weekend on Satudrday October 20th at 9:30 am in Low 4050 (across from the CII). We heard reports from current IFC/Panhel, OFSA, and AIGC officers and held discussions about the alcohol policy, rush statistics, housing infrastructre and maintenace, and the upcoming Greek Leaders Summit. Minutes are posted here.
Survey of the Health of RPI Greek Housing Infrastructure
A survey is being performed to gain an understanding of the health of the operations and infrastructure of our chapter finances and operations. Each semester OFSA compiles the Occupancy Report, but in the past there have been some hols in reporting and accuracy. MIT recently performed a similar assessment of the health of the system in order promote the system and determine how their endowment funds and programming could be more
effective. Best practices and areas for improvement will be compiled in aggregrate to demonstrate the kinds of programming and financial aspects that are represented by our communicty. This may also help dispell some mis-information about the healt of the system. The AIGC hopes to also use this as a way to update our contact database and begin again to maintain this for ourselves and also to update a contractor reference list for work on the facilities.
Please have your chapter advisor or house corporation take the time to fill in the survey (whose individual results will stay with the AIGC). The aggregate results will be presented at the Greek Leadership Summit and next AIGC meeting. The survey is a simple MS Excel spreadsheet with and example dataset included to aid in the completion. The more groups that respond, the better the results. Please read and share
the promotional letter. Questions and the completed survey can be emailed to Jonathan "Jerry" Witter (1982).
Update on the Greek Life Initiatives
DOSO has drafted an update report which includes their view as well as some views of the initiatives teams. It can be read here as "New Directions - New Opportunties." The alcohol policy is having final tweeks and will be published by Sept 1. On February 25th, 2008 DOSO will hold a town hall meeting to catch people up on things from the last 2 years and continue the process of having collaborative discussions about and work on Greek LIFE at RPI.
New Alcohol Polcicy and Event Managment Manual
A new alcohol intiative team has been working since the middle of February on finalizing a new policy guide and programming to help affect cultural changes. The new alcohol policy is being implemented the fall of 2007. An event management manual has been prepared to help with hosting events under the new alochol policy. Please read the following documents for the specific information
New Greek Life Summary Report: A summary report about RPI Greek Life, the initiatives, and a view to the future has been posted, entitled "Report on Greek Life at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Migrating from Initiatives to Strategies and Actions"
5 Star Standards Accreditation/Awards of Excellence Application, Contact DOSO/OFSA Jessica Wickiewicz to find out more about the process schedule and the chapter advisor, chapter president, OFSA review meeting. Awards Reception will be in April.
Relationship Statement
The Relationship Statement establishes roles and responsibibilites for the alumni, undergraduate, and RPI as stakeholders in Greek Life at Rensselaer. The most recent revision was adopted in January 2006. With the adoption of this document, it is now intended to have a bi-annual review to creat a more living document and to renew the values and expectations for all involed. AIGC
has worked to create several tools
for chapters.
If you would like to contribute revisions or help with the review, please contact Shannon Kelly. A review committee was set at the January 27, 2007 meeting.
Resources
The AIGC has worked to create several tools for chapters.
Programs
The AIGC has worked with OFSA to create several training programs:
Volunteer
All of our chapters and the AIGC are always looking for alumni volunteers. Whether it be financial, career networking, house corporations operations, or serving as the chapter advisor or part of a team of advisors. The continuity and longevity of knowledge and ties to positive traditions are the things that alumni came give to their chapters to help them maintain or regain their excellence. Please reach out to
you chapter or if interested in helping the AIGC contact Jonathan "Jerry" Witter (1982) to get involved. Check out the current officers of the AIGC to see what kinds of work we do.
Meeting Minutes
The minutes of past meetings can be accessed here
Useful Links
Here are some useful links for outside resources and ideas for programming and operationset.
RPI Greek Initiatives Work
Since the April 12, 2006 announcement from RPI on their Greek Life Initiatives, the AIGC has helped coordinate four teams dedicated to the three RPI Greek Life Initiative proposals and one for general coordinate and providing of resources and research.
Much has happened during the spring of 2007. The mandatory live-in house director proposal has been found to be infeasible in the manner presented and will only be used as a sanction to recover from a suspension. The recruitment timing will not change on the calendar, but new events and marketing ideas will be implemented. A new alcohol policy and event management guide is in the final stages of approval. It includes
a more formal incorporation into the Student Handbook, follows a Bring-Your-Own (BYO) or catered to serve alcohol to those of legal age, and implements a "Good Samaritan" protocol in case of medical emergency.
A few words about the events surrounding the April 2006 announcement:
- This was done with no input from the Alumni nor undergraduate stakeholders of the Relationship Statement.
- The presentation they used can be viewed here
- The response to this was extensive. Go to www.saverpigreeks.com for some early response and updates.
- On April 20, 2006 many alumni received a hardcopy of a letter from VP Student Life Eddie Knowles and Acting VP Institute Andvancemnet Terri Cerveny. This was also posted on the RPI Alumni website.
- On April 24, 2006, Jerry Witter posted a response to that open letter. He corrects a few mistatements.
- On April 25, 2006, the faculty hold a vote of no confidence on Pres. Shirley Jackson, Ph.D.
- On May 3, 2006, a student senate referendum to the entire student body was held and passed overwhelmingly 1585 to 85 (according to DOSO there are only 1078 Greeks) that:
"Whereas students had no means of input on the new disciplinary Greek policies—a violation of the Student Bill of Rights and the Greek Relationship Statement—we, the student body, disapprove of the policies and demand that the administration include student input on all points to shape more appropriate policies that adequately ensure the safety and welfare of students and hold off on enacting any current proposed policies until such times that all involved
parties have the chance for review and input.”
- On May 8, 2006, an apology letter VP Student Life Eddie Knowles (and co-signed by the RAA, AIGC, and DOSO) was posted and sent electronically to alumni. It retracts the deadlines, but stresses the need for change. It was not sent out as a hardcopy like the first letter (and the one in 2004).
Please get in touch with your chapter house corporation leadership and chapter advisor for specific actions and responses we will be taking. Especially for the alumni understanding and helping to comply with the new alcohol policies and the law of the land.
You can contact Jonathan "Jerry" Witter if you are interested in serving on one of the task force teams to continue to work on new initiatives that address the concerns of all stakeholders in Greek Life at Rensselaer.
Alcohol Team - contact Roger Mike
A preliminary presentation was made 9/11/2006 to Dr. Jackson and her staff as part of an IFC/Panhel Exec meeting. It briefed them on the status of a proposal that entialed BYOB, better self policing, and peer education programs.
A new team has been working since the middle of February on finalizing a new policy guide and programming to help affect cultural changes. The new alcohol policy is being implemented the fall of 2007.
An event management manual has been prepared to help with hosting events under the new alochol policy. Please read the following documents for the specific information
Recruitment/Member Education Team - Contact Shannon Kelly
A draft proposal abstract was made in October. It needs some more work to incorporate pledge/new member education and specific actions to realize improvements. The recommendation is to maintain rush period for freshman during the fall semester and within the same rough timeframe. Improvements to self policing of rush infractions and
promotion of Greek Life are needed.
The Institute performed research into retention rates an grade of Greeks and Independents. Bottom line of the report was a statistically significant difference in the men's GPA (due to large sample size) but within the standard deviation of the grades and that Greeks have a much higher retention rate that the independents - especially during the first year. The
difference in GPA can be attributed to the higher retention rate and the higher campus activity. It also indicates that a fall rush period for freshman should be maintained.
- Mean GPA for Greek is ~0.1 less than non-Greek which is statistically significant by the sample size, but within the standard deviation of ~0.4
- Retention of First to Second year students is 97% for Greeks and 90% for non-Greek, with subsequent years attrition of 3% per year for Greeks and 4% per year for non-Greek
- Graduation Rates was 91% for Greeks and 79% for non-Greeks
- Registrar had percentage Greek at ~30% likely due to counting of suspended chapter
members, pre-FYE, and IFC reporting inconsistancies
At the end of Fall 2006 rush, a survey was given to first year students to get a pulse of their impressions of the rush/recruitment process. The raw results and the summary report provide some insight for improvements as well as sucesses.
A new team was formed in January and its first meeting will be March 22 to develop a plan of action to implement ideas that have been promoted and to address retention, academics, and marketing
House Director/Advising Team - contact Roger Grice
A draft presentation made it out of this committee and awaits further discussion with the stakeholders. Essentially they recommend that house directors can not logistically work for all chapters, but can be used as a judicial sanction until viable alumni advising is in place. It calls for beefed up chapter advisor and house corporation relations
with the school and undergraduates.
Resource Team - Contact Jerry Witter at jonathan.witter@gmail.com
We have set up a website with documents and presentations by the teams at http://rpi.greekissues.com/Public
As part of the research and work for the other task force teams, some interesting facts or trends were found:
- Retention of students through graduation is 91% for Greeks and 79% for non-Greeks.
- Retention during freshman year is even more positive at 97% for Greeks and 90% for non-Greeks, meaning a fall freshman rush is important for Greeks and the school.
- The spring semester sees a 10% drop in the undergraduate student body due to Dec. graduations and fall attrition.
- Sorority raw numbers have been stable, although their percentage is slight lower due to increase women
population
- Fraternity raw numbers are down, but is not just due to rush practices or fraternity status. The impact of declining number of students the last 5 years for RPI, the accounting practices for member rosters (i.e. counted as non-Greek) for suspended chapters, and FYE are also factors.
- A discrepancy in registrar versus DOSO/IFC/Panhel accounting of Greek membership can be as high as 5%, with DOSO reporting lower numbers than the registrar.
- Sorority GPA surpassed the all campus and all women's
averages last Spring after several semesters of closing the gap
- Fraternity GPA has remained at it's 0.1 difference from the all men's average, indicating no worsening trend. This difference is less than one letter grade in one class for the semester and is likely natural since the Greek have higher retention rates.
- From the senior surveys, alcohol behaviors were such that medium-heavy use is down, light-medium use is up (natural is medium-heavy is down), and heavy episodic is up slightly. The trends for
women appeared to be less able to be correlated but in general had increasing rates.
- More than $2M passes through the Greek system each year for room and board, dues, insurance, let alone contractors for home repair
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