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Commission on Fraternities and
Sororities
Recommendations for New Policies and Practices
to Guide the Greek Community at the University of Wisconsin-Madison
October 14, 1999
Introduction and Historical Overview
A New Era and Role for the Commission
Summary of Original Recommendations with Revisions
Recommendations for Change: A Three Year Plan
- Recommendations for Changing Alcohol Policies
and Practices
- Recommendation for a Survey of Philanthropy and
an All-Greek Community Service Project
- Recommendations for Expanded Scholarship, Education,
Leadership and Communication Programs
- Recommendation to Initiate State of the Chapter
Reports and Chapters of Excellence Awards
- Recommendations for Changing Recruitment Policies
and Practices
- Recommendations for Strengthening the Resident
Advisors Program
- Recommendations for Increasing Organizational
Competence
- Building NPHC and Its Chapters
- Fund Raising
- Recommendations for Building the All Greek Community
Summary of Commission Recomendations
HTML Version [15 KB]
Introduction and Historical Overview
Ten years ago, Chancellor Donna Shalala formed the Commission on
the Future of Fraternities and Sororities to search for effective
ways for this university to work in accord with Greek chapter houses
and their umbrella organizations to improve their operations and
the deportment of their members. The creation of the Commission
was a response to growing concerns about problems in Greek life
that affected students, the university and the Madison community.
Aftermonths of public hearings and separate meetings with students,
alumni, faculty, staff and community representatives, the Commission
set forth thirteen recommendations for forging a strong cooperative
relationship between the university and the Greek system. In the
preamble to its April 17, 1989 report, the Commission aptly stated
the philosophy for this new relationship:
A. The University has an interest in the general safety and
quality of life of students in fraternities and sororities.
B. The University has an interest in high standards of social
conduct by students in fraternities and sororities.
C. The most effective way to secure these interests is for
the University to assist and support the building of effective
fraternity and sorority self-governance.
In May, 1989, upon the adoption of the Commissions’ recommendations
Chancellor Shalala charged the Commission to shift from an investigative
and rule-making body to one that oversees the relationship between
the University and the Greek community. The Commission has done
that for the past ten years.
In November, 1997 Dean Mary Rouse asked the Commission to review
and update its original recommendations. To prepare for this evaluation,
we carried out town hall hearings, focus group meetings and Commission
meetings. A large amount of information was gleaned from the presentations
and comments at these events by students, Greek alumni, university
faculty and staff. The information strongly informs the new recommendations
in this report. The results of these meetings are summarized in
the document “Commission on Fraternities and Sororities, Summary
Report of Assessments and Recommendations from Town Hall Meetings
and Focus Groups Held in 1998 and 1999.”
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A New Era and Role for the Commission
University assistance and support of self-governance were the foundation
of the 1989 Commission recommendations, and they remain the foundation
today. We reaffirm that a strong and vital community of fraternities
and sororities which emphasizes the traditional Greek values of
scholarship, service and fellowship can only be achieved if fraternity
and sorority students are able to effectively and responsibly govern
themselves in their chapters and through their umbrella organizations.
The proper role for the university is to be actively engaged in
providing to the Greek community the necessary guidance, services
and resources to allow leaders and members to achieve democratic
self-governance and self control and to be productive, accountable
members of the university community.
The preamble to the 1989 Commission Report and all of the original
recommendations of the Commission remain relevant today and are
endorsed in this report with the necessary modifications and expansions
to bring them up-to-date. The original recommendations and changes
are summarized in the next section, and some are addressed in greater
detail in the remaining sections of this report as part of the new
recommendations.
The many meetings held in 1998 and the collective experiences of
the Commission since then lead us to conclude that while the 1989
recommendations need some revising, they are fundamentally sound,
and that the difficulty has been in bringing about their implementation.
This fact leads us to the following general recommendation that
informs the remainder of this report:
Now and into the future, the Commission on Fraternities and
Sororities must move beyond simply providing oversight of the
Greek system if we are to progress in reaching the goals of fraternity
and sorority members and of the university for improving social
conduct and the quality of life in chapter houses and for improving
the ability of the chapter houses and the umbrella organizations
to effectively and responsibly govern themselves. Conditions today
require that the university, through the Commission, assume a
more active, collaborative role with fraternity and sorority chapters
and their umbrella organizations in proposing, advocating, and
implementing creative programs to improve Greek life on this campus.
This recommendation for a more active Commission is consistent
with developments on many campuses, large and small. New and refurbished
programs are being announced as fraternities and sororities across
the nation are receiving greater attention. They are under close
scrutiny and are being pressed by their national organizations and
by university administrations to radically change many of their
practices and especially those in regard to alcohol use. Alcohol
abuse and its consequences are major problems in Greek life in America
and especially on this campus. We are keenly aware that alcohol
abuse is widespread for many University of Wisconsin-Madison students,
but our focus must be on ending the abuse and reforming the social
fabric in fraternities and sororities. However, it would be shortsighted
to dwell solely on the alcohol problem. Other aspects of Greek life
that interfere with its traditional goals and the creation of a
vibrant learning experience outside the classroom also must be addressed.
The Commission must proceed, in partnership with Greek student
leadership, to bring about changes that will restore vitality and
longevity to fraternities and sororities at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
A Commission more engaged in problem solving must be well informed
about the best practices for achieving changes that are presently
being proposed and tested by national Greek organizations and by
Greek student services specialists on other campuses. Changes will
not come easily nor will they come quickly. New programs and reforms
in present practices will require more resources. The Commission
must actively seek funding from within the university and from outside
sources, especially among Greek alumni, to assist the change process.
To be more active, the Commission must establish standing committees
on critical issues for Greek life. The committees must study the
issues, actively develop programs and report to the Commission on
findings and recommendations. A successful start on a committee
structure began in the process of generating the recommendations
for this report. These committees are composed of Commission members,
Greek chapter members, alumni, academic staff and faculty, and in
the ensuing months they must be expanded to carry out the program
set forth in this report.
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Summary of Original Recommendations with
Revisions
- Each social fraternity and sorority shall hold membership in
one of the three umbrella organizations—Interfraternity Council
(IFC), National PanHellenic Council (NPHC) and Panhellenic Association
(PHA)—in order to become a registered student organization.
- Each umbrella organization shall establish, publicize and enforce
clearly stated rules and regulations and codes of conduct.
- Each umbrella organization and all chapter houses shall sponsor
programs and activities to educate their members about issues
of enduring concern to the community.
- Each umbrella organization and each chapter shall develop and
enforce standards of organizational behavior regarding the responsible
use of alcohol and expand efforts to control alcohol abuse.
- [revision] Each umbrella organization, in cooperation with the
All Greek Council, shall develop meaningful programs to encourage
scholarship.
- [revision] Each umbrella organization shall cooperate with and
participate in the Greek Judicial Boards which have emerged as
the investigating bodies on misconduct and grievances.
- [revision] Each chapter house shall have one or more chapter
advisors and these advisors shall be listed with the Fraternity
& Sorority Advisor in the Student Organization Office.
- [revision] Each chapter house shall have a Resident Advisor/House
Director and that RA/HD shall be listed with the Fraternity &Sorority
Advisor in the Student Organization Office. The Commission must
expand efforts at selection, training and effectiveness of Resident
Advisor/House Director services.
- [revision] Each chapter shall have a functioning house corporation
board that establishes and abides by a regular schedule of house
inspections, and the board members shall be listed with the Fraternity
& Sorority Advisor in the Student Organization Office.
- [revision] The Dean of Students office was provided funding
to support two Fraternity & Sorority Advisors in 1989 as recommended
by the Commission Report. That number was reduced to one in 1994.
The Dean of Students should be provided the resources to reinstate
a second advisor, and pay of advisors should be made comparable
with pay at other Big Ten institutions.
- [revision] The existing All Greek Council, established under
this recommendation of the 1989 Commission Report shall continue
and expand its programs across the three umbrella groups.
- [revision] The recommendation in the 1989 Commission Report
to establish a Fraternity Alumni Council was initiated, but the
organization did not survive. This year, the Commission, through
the Fraternity & Sorority Advisor and the Student Organization
Office, has reactivated this important organization as the Greek
Alumni Council composed of alumni men and women. The Commission
shall continue to support the work of the Council.
- [revision] The Commission on Fraternities and Sororities shall
continue to oversee the relationship between the university and
the Greek community, and it shall assume a new, more active role
in proposing, advocating for, and implementing creative programs.
- [new] The Commission on Fraternities and Sororities shall establish,
as needed, standing committees on relevant and critical issues
for Greek life to study the issues, develop programs and report
to the Commission on findings and recommendations. Committees
shall be composed of Commission members, Greek students, academic
staff, faculty, alumni and other interested parties.
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Recommendations for Change: A Three Year
Plan
The Commission, the IFC, NPHC and PHA are in agreement on ten urgently
needed changes having to do with (1) alcohol use, (2) philanthropy
and community service, (3) scholarship, education, leadership and
communication programs, (4) chapter reports, (5) recruitment, (6)
the resident advisor program, (7) organizational competence, (8)
building NPHC and its chapters, (9) fund raising and (10) building
the all-Greek community. These initiatives are presented as a three-year
plan for the period Fall, 1999 through Spring, 2002. The order of
their presentation below does not indicate action priority. All
are important and most are interwoven in subtle ways. All will be
addressed over the next three years.
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I. Recommendations for Changing Alcohol Policies
and Practices
Alcohol abuse at fraternity and sorority functions and its dire
consequences are the most serious problem presently facing Greek
life at American colleges and universities. Alcohol abuse occurs
at many if not most fraternities here at UW-Madison on most any
weekend during the school year. While we have not suffered a serious
injury or death related to alcohol, we are very concerned that the
danger is ever-present. Since 1989, our actions—the rules of
this Commission, the work of past and present Fraternity & Sorority
Advisors and the efforts of IFC and PHA—have had little effect
on containing the alcohol abuse problem. We are not alone in this
failure. Most other colleges and universities have also failed,
and presently, on the national level, new, more stringent responses
are rapidly accumulating.
There are three noteworthy trends in efforts to control alcohol
abuse at fraternities, and they pose both opportunities and challenges.
First, national fraternity organizations are shifting to a categorical
policy requiring all chapter houses to become alcohol-free. To date
eight national men’s fraternities have adopted this policy
and more are very likely to join them. The policy is driven by the
serious consequences of our failures—alcohol-related deaths,
sky-rocketing liability insurance costs and visibly reduced chapter
memberships. After years of experimenting with other remedies these
national organizations have concluded that there is no more effective
option available, and they are firm in their resolve that chapters
will become alcohol-free by specified deadlines, some as early as
the year 2000, or lose their charters. Second, at many colleges
and universities, chancellors and trustee boards have moved to force
the Greek community to become an alcohol-free environment as a condition
for chapter houses to remain in good standing as student organizations.
This trend is likely to grow in the face of continued abuses, deaths,
near-deaths, costly law suits and negative publicity. Third, in
October, 1998, all 26 member sororities in National Panhellenic
Council adopted the following resolution:
Resolved, that the NPC member fraternities will continue to
support the efforts toward alcohol-free housing in men’s
fraternity facilities with the goal being that the individual
NPC member fraternities will work towards cosponsoring only alcohol-free
functions in men’s fraternity facilities by the fall term
of 2000.
As a result, 19 of the 26 sorority national offices have adopted
their own versions of this resolution. The remaining women’s
organizations will most likely follow soon. Within the next few
years it is very likely that no NPC sorority will allow its chapter
members to participate in or co-host functions at fraternityhouses
where alcohol is served.
These developments signify a new determination to change the culture
of drinking in Greek social life. Nationally there are many fraternity
and sorority student leaders and alumni, and a very large number
of university Greek advisors who feel that it should no longer be
a matter of whether Greek fraternity houses will become alcohol-free.
They see alcohol-free houses as necessary, and that it is simply
a matter of when and how all Greek organizations will adopt this
policy. Opposed to this change are significant numbers of Greek
members and alumni. They reject alcohol-free houses as a reasonable
solution and seek more accommodative actions to moderate the consumption
of alcohol at social events. And, of course, there are members who
assert that there is no general problem that needs resolution.
All of these positions for or against alcohol-free fraternity functions
are reflected on this campus. There are fervent convictions on all
sides, and debates invariably are heated. The Commission on Fraternities
and Sororities has heard all positions expressed time and again.
Our conclusion is that while it is true that UW-Madison fraternity
houses have not suffered a major tragedy, most experienced, candid
observers—students, alumni, faculty and staff—agree that
alcohol abuse at fraternity parties at this university is widespread
and dangerous, that near-deaths have occurred, that sexual assaults
have occurred, that trashing of facilities is common and that the
practice is entirely unbecoming and diminishes the ethos of traditional
Greek life.
This year we must confront this affliction and find ways to abate
it. All sides must come together and reach agreement on a carefully
crafted solution to the alcohol problem. We understand that this
will be no small undertaking, but we strongly feel, as do many national
fraternity and sorority leaders and Greek advisors, that the future
of Greek organizations is at stake because, without a solution,
membership will dwindle and chapters will close.
To begin the change process this year, IFC and PHA sponsored an
Alcohol Summit on campus on October 2, 1999. It was a day of presentations
by national and local leaders followed by discussion groups, a brief
presentation by the Commission and evaluations. Over three hundred
fraternity and sorority members, alumni and other invited guests
attended the day’s events. In the weeks and months that follow,
IFC, PHA and the Commission will strive to reach consensus on a
uniform policy for this critical issue and devise an action plan
for implementing change.
Once a new alcohol policy is achieved, implementing it will require
that the Commission, the Dean of Students Office and umbrella groups
find ways to assist chapters to comply. We must adopt practices
for monitoring violations, issuing warnings and investigating fraternity
chapters alleged to be in noncompliance. Rules must be formulated
this year and include provisions for consequences in the face of
continued noncompliance after assistance, warnings and investigations.
Noncomplying chapters must be placed on suspension and their national
organizations notified of this action. If noncompliance persists,
Judicial Boards, after consultation with the umbrella groups and
the Commission, must be required to recommend to the Dean of Students
that the offending chapters be removed from recognized student organization
status.
For some fraternities their national rules will require that alcohol-free
socials be in place next academic year. We pledge our support to
aid these chapters during this year to make the transition. The
Commission through the umbrella organizations will do all in our
power to procure university and alumni assistance for this change.
Some fraternities and sororities already are moving inaugurations
and other events away from chapter houses to food-and-drink establishments
in the city. This trend surely will increase, and the Commission
must work with the umbrella organizations and the private establishments
to develop guidelines for a responsible system of out-of-chapter
house events. It is very important that hotels, restaurants, taverns
and other businesses in the community that contract services to
chapter houses where alcohol is served be prepared to assure the
safety and security of gatherings and comply with the underage no-drinking
law. To that end, the city and the relevant establishments must
be a part of the planning process.
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II. Recommendation for a Survey of Philanthropy
and an All-Greek Community Service Project
Philanthropy and community service have long been a part of fraternity
and sorority chapter activities at this university. They are widespread
and go on year-after-year by chapter houses and by individual members
in houses. This work is undocumented and the Greek system and the
chapter houses rarely receive publicity for their efforts.
A. Survey of Philanthropy and Community Service. To document
the extent of philanthropy and community service, the Fraternity
& Sorority Advisor, with the assistance of a Fraternity &
Sorority Intern, working through the Morgridge Center, will establish
a biannual survey of chapter philanthropy and individual member’s
community service, and determine ways to encourage additional
activities and gain publicity for the work that is being done.
While much chapter philanthropy goes on and needs to be documented,
we are concerned that it is heavily in the form of fund raising.
It is not direct, group participation in the activities of community
agencies. Some direct participation is done by individual volunteers.
However, it is our conclusion that fraternities and sororities would
profit in many ways by the establishment of an annual, all Greek
community service project in which chapter members have to work
together, contributing their labor and their funds to accomplish
a worthy community cause.
B. All Greek Community Service Project. This academic
year, the All Greek Council, through the Student Organization
Office and the Fraternity & Sorority Advisor and with assistance
from the Morgridge Center, will plan an All Greek Community Service
Project for the 2000-2001 school year.
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III. Recommendations for Expanded Scholarship,
Education, Leadership and Communication Programs
A. All-Greek Scholarship Committee. All Greek Council
is an important bridge for uniform programming across the umbrella
groups. This Council must make scholarship one of its priorities
and find ways to enhance scholarship in all the chapters. Scholarship
planning should include development of guidelines for study halls
and quiet hours for all members and especially for new members.
Planning also should include consideration of a mentoring program
for members in need of course work assistance and the use of GUTS
and resources in the colleges to assist members. Scholarship enhancement
will be more effective if faculty, alumni and parents play roles
in chapter efforts. In addition, All Greek Council should continue
to plan other educational programs and organize the All Greek
Awards.
B. Academic Grade Reports. The Fraternity & Sorority
Advisor for many years now has collected grade point averages
each semester on all members of all chapters. These data are used
for various purposes—monitoring the minimum grade point rules
for chapter members, calculating chapter averages for reports
to fraternity and sorority national offices, determining the annual
awards to the chapter with the best overall average, the greatest
grade point improvement, etc. Collecting these data is at present
a costly and time consuming process of manually extracting the
information from university records, and there is too long a delay
each semester before the previous semester’s grades are available.
We need to build greater support from the university to develop
a more efficient, timely and less costly procedure for procuring
this important information.
C. New Member Education and Leadership Program. The Fraternity
& Sorority Advisor and the Student Organization Office in
conjunction with the three umbrella organizations need to develop
a centralized, mandatory All Greek New Member Education Program
to take place each semester. Education is critical for achieving
the proper socialization of new members. A quality program will
build awareness and understanding of Greek values, the importance
of leadership skills, training and experiences, and how to use
team building and cooperation to enhance chapter activities. The
program must also address issues of academic scholarship, philanthropy
and volunteerism, sexual assault awareness, fire safety, alcohol
use and risk management and the structure of disciplinary actions
for code violations. Building a program of education and leadership
workshops is costly of time and personnel. For example, the two-day
leadership institute IMPACT (Influence, Motivation, Purpose, Action,
Community and Trust) is an award-winning program put on by the
National Interfraternity Council. We will bring IMPACT to campus
next semester, at a cost of over $5,000. We need to find ways
to routinely establish and underwrite this and other educational
programs for members.
D. Communication.
1. Email and Website. The Commission, through its Communications
Committee, and with the assistance of the Student Organization
Office will oversee the implementation of an electronic communication
system for Greek chapter members. An internal communication
medium is a necessary ingredient for sharing ideas and for building
cooperation in the Greek community. We hope to see email and
a website up and running this year for chapters, umbrella groups
and the Fraternity & Sorority Advisor. The system should
allow for the posting of general announcements, meeting agendas,
umbrella group minutes and requests for information and assistance.
The system also should allow members to post commentaries, and
questions and answers about issues of importance to Greek life.
2. Newsletter. The Greek community needs a printed newsletter
with a minimum of one issue each semester for internal information
and external publicity. The newsletter should be the joint responsibility
of the three umbrella group members who are in charge of publicity
and public relations. The newsletter should report the activities
of the umbrella groups and chapters, highlight exceptional individual
Greeks and exceptional chapter programs, and provide coverage
of other news of importance to Greek life.
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IV. Recommendation to Initiate State of the
Chapter Reports and Chapters of Excellence Awards
Fraternity and sorority chapters must be held accountable for achieving
their primary functions of scholarship, service and fellowship in
wholesome quality of life surroundings. One prominent initiative
in the national movement for change in Greek life is an effort to
set standards for organizational excellence, to measure performance,
assist chapters to meet the standards and to reward them for their
achievements. To properly oversee Greek life and to attend to the
well-being of chapter members, the Commission must set criteria
for quality performance and receive reports from chapters on their
operations and activities.
To this end the Commission will in October, 1999 begin planning
for the implementation of State of the Chapter Reports and Chapters
of Excellence Awards based upon the reports and additional information
on chapter activities and member conduct. We intend for these reports
and awards to become a major mechanism for setting standards and
assessing achievements of chapters, and they will provide a way
for positive encouragement and assistance to chapters for betterment.
It is our belief and our hope that this procedure will help in bringing
positive changes to Greek life on this campus.
A. State of the Chapter Report. All chapters will be required
to submit State of the Chapter Reports to the Commission beginning
in approximately January, 2001. Reporting may be staggered, at
least in the early years, so that throughout each year one-half
of fraternities and one-half of sororities will submit reports.
B. Report Coverage. The Commission will establish, through
a State of the Chapter Report Committee, the standards for performance,
and the content and forms for the reports. The reports will cover
membership characteristics, financial status, building and grounds
conditions, risk management policies and practices, house director
status, education, leadership and scholarship programs for new
and continuing members, philanthropy and volunteer programs, social
activities, and future plans of importance to the academic, service
and fellowship goals of Greek life. The State of the Chapter Report
Committee will hold hearings so that all chapter members will
have opportunities to help develop and comment on the standards,
content and form of the coverage.
C. Chapters of Excellence Awards. It often has been noted
that efforts to reform Greek practices are mostly negative and
punitive. In this report we have been mindful to offer positive
solutions that will enhance the ability of chapters and their
umbrella organizations to govern themselves responsibly with assistance
from the university and alumni. Chapters of Excellence Awards
are important positive solutions. The Commission, based on the
State of the Chapter Reports and through the State of the Chapter
Reports Committee, will create Chapters of Excellence Awards to
be given each year to the fraternities and sororities that meet
the highest standards for excellence in Greek life. Once the program
is established, a Chapters of Excellence Award Committee will
seek widespread input in addition to the State of the Chapter
Reports—information from the Dean of Students Office, the
neighborhood foot patrol officer, the fire and housing inspectors,
the national organization offices, and other sources—in determining
the awards.
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V. Recommendations for Changing Recruitment Policies
and Practices
Today fraternity and sorority nationals are encouraging their chapters
to move away from exclusive reliance upon semester rush programs
and to establish year-round recruitment and periodic specialized
programs for enlisting new members. Dry rush is now policy, but
evasions and outright violations are numerous among the fraternities.
Rush programs and pledging are unfortunately connected to alcohol
abuse and hazing. There is an urgent need for new forms of recruitment.
The Commission through its Recruitment Committee will work with
the umbrella organizations and the chapter rush committees to bring
about changes to include the following:
A. Recruitment Task Force. Establishment of a Task Force
on Recruitment to develop a plan for year-round recruitment and
special programming with implementation by the year 2002. The
plan needs to include a broad-scale initiative of publicity and
outreach to freshmen and sophomores.
B. Early Effort at Year-Round Recruitment. Implementation
of the plan for year-round recruitment sooner than 2002 for the
fraternity chapters that must comply with their nationals for
alcohol-free houses by 2000 and 2001.
C. Pledge Hazing and Evasion of Dry Rush. Development
of new policies for rush and pledge violations that will insure
the elimination of hazing and the evasion of dry rush until such
time as year-round alcohol-free recruitment replaces the present
rush and pledge system.
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VI. Recommendations for Strengthening the Resident
Advisors Program
In 1989, in accepting the Commissions recommendation, the university
required all chapter houses to employ Resident Advisors (RAs). The
rule was addressed primarily to house corporations of fraternity
chapters. All sorority house corporations have long employed House
Directors (HDs) with responsibilities for house management beyond
those assumed by the original Commission recommendation for RAs.
In 1989 the hope of the Commission was that the every-day operation
of fraternity houses would proceed more efficiently and more orderly
with RAs. The goal has been only modestly realized. The major problem
experienced in the ensuing years has been the failure of many fraternity
chapters to employ mature, experienced personnel in this position.
Some houses have found it difficult to afford RAs, and some simply
have not had separate living quarters for RAs. It is also true that
some fraternities have been concerned that more mature, experienced
RAs would enforce greater controls on life style and social functions.
The Commission recognizes the weaknesses in implementation of the
rule and affirms the need for having RAs/HDs in all chapter houses.
It is time to strengthen and expand the role of this important position.
Therefore, the Commission this year will proceed to bring about
the following changes:
A. Title Change and Job Description. The job title should
be changed to “House Director” for all houses and reflect
the extended responsibilities that present HDs assume, and the
Commission, through its HD committee, will develop a statement
of job requirements in a uniform job description. The work of
HDs has to be carried out in cooperation with the elected chapter
house manager, and should include:
- Physical plant management
- Coordination of house cleaning
- Employee management
- Scheduling of fire and house inspection activities
- Chapter member advising and referral for those in need
of personal services
- Maintenance of relations with private vendors
- Maintenance of relations with the Fraternity Buyers Cooperative.
B. Training. Training is needed for all new house directors
early in the fall semester and as needed second semester and should
be the responsibility of the Fraternity & Sorority Advisor.
Training must cover basic responsibilities, where to find help
on maintenance, purchasing, counseling, etc. The Fraternity &
Sorority Advisor through the Student Organization Office and the
Fraternity Buyers Cooperative will see to the provision of special
workshops as needed on CPR, house maintenance, supply purchasing,
etc. The Commission’s HD Committee will look into securing
funds for a trainer and also will investigate the possibility
that part of the HD training be included with the training program
for private and/or campus residence hall house fellows.
C. Housing Directors Association. The HDs need their own
association. The Commission’s HD Committee will encourage
and assist the HDs to establish a House Directors Association
to share information, strive for collective problem solving and
play a major role in HD training. The Association could hold a
welcome social for HDs each year and produce a House Director’s
Handbook. Contact and assistance from the National House Directors
Association should be established. When formed, a representative
of the House Directors Association will sit as a member of the
Commission.
D. Strategies for Strengthening the HD position. The Commission,
through its HD Committee, and with consultation from the three
umbrella groups and the Fraternity Buyers Cooperative, will search
for ways to fortify HD effectiveness, including consideration
of the following:
- A role for the Commission and the Student Organization Office
in the selection of HDs
- A requirement that mature, experienced personnel be hired
and that chapter alumni can serve as HDs only if they have been
out of their chapter houses for five years
- A minimum pay scale and benefits for HDs to guide house corporations
- University affiliation for HDs that would provide access
to university programs and facilities
- Creation of an HD assessment procedure to be carried out periodically,
and assistance to chapter house corporations on hiring and retention
of HDs.
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VII. Recommendations for Increasing Organizational
Competence
There is a substantial need across the Greek system to construct
and institutionalize substantially more competent organizational
management. The Commission must be actively involved in the following
ventures:
A. An Annual House Corporation Meeting. The Commission
through the appropriate committee, the newly reformulated Greek
Alumni Council and the Fraternity Buyers Cooperative must strive
to establish a tradition of annual meetings of house corporation
boards to discuss and develop their roles in:
- Fiscal management and accounting of chapter houses
- Selection and pay of HDs
- Funding for HD training
- Implementation of repair and remodeling programs
- Revitalization of and participation in the Greek Alumni Council
- Establishment of an annual meeting or retreat of house corporation
board members to discuss major issues and develop plans of action
- Communicating with the City Assessor Office to review the real
estate tax burden on Greek houses, understand the criteria used,
and investigate possibilities for tax relief.
B. Additional Staff. To establish programs and practices
recommended in this report will require additional staff and
interns. We are fortunate and thankful this year to have received
a half-time Project Assistant position from the Dean of Students.
This will assist us substantially in launching recommendations
in this report. The Commission through its Funding Committee
and in cooperation with the Dean of Students Office must seek
funds to permanently reinstate the second Greek advisor position
and to raise the salary of staff positions to be competitive
with other Big Ten institutions. In addition, the Commission
must seek funds to finance Fraternity & Sorority internships
to supplement the present service learning internships that
operate as ungraded credit for selected students.
C. Grade and Graduation Holds. Chapter houses need help
in collecting fees from the small but significant minority of
members who do not meet their fiscal obligations. This income
is critical as chapter houses strive to keep costs down. The
Commission, through the appropriate committee, needs to investigate
the possibility of the Registrar’s Office extending to
the Greek system the practice used for residence halls, which
is the withholding of course grades and/or graduation from students
who are far in arrears on payment of house contracts. If an
arrangement for Registrar holds is established, a procedure
for appeal and review of hold requests through the Dean of Students
Office and/or the Commission can be established.
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VIII. Building NPHC and Its Chapters
The 1989 Commission recommendations created the National PanHellenic
Council as an umbrella group. While IFC and PHC had existed on campus
for decades, there was no formal umbrella organization over Black
Greek chapters. It has been difficult for NPHC to sustain an organization.
The major problem facing NPHC and its chapters is small numbers
of members in Black Greek life. It is part of the more general problem
of a severely restricted population of African-American undergraduates
enrolled at this university. We must help NPHC and the Black Greek
chapters to build their community.
A. Recruitment. The Commission must assist NPHC and its
chapters to recruit and retain members by devising a recruitment
strategy to reach African-American students. This year the Dean
of Students has provided resources to access names and addresses
of known African-American students. We must find funds to continue
this effort yearly and to supplement this effort with publicity
and meetings to reach the relevant population for membership recruitment.
A closer relationship between NPHC and the Multicultural Student
Center has to be built to further the recruitment effort.
B. An NPHC Advisor in the Student Organization Office.
NPHC and its chapters need substantial assistance and guidance
from the Fraternity & Sorority Advisor. Even with a half-time
project assistant position this year, it will be impossible for
the Advisor to provide the assistance needed. We must find funds
to support a part-time advisor who can work closely with NPHC
and the Black Greek chapters
C. Office Space. NPHC must have office space for its operations.
It would serve all interests well if NPHC could receive some space
in the new Multicultural Student Center in close proximity to
the Fraternity & Sorority Advisor’s office in the Red
Gym.
D. A Relationship with the 2008 Plan. Black Greeks in
general have a strong commitment to this university and their
membership while small has high graduation rates. NPHC and its
chapters are committed to public service and should have a close
tie to the university’s 2008 Plan to build minority student
recruitment and retention. The Commission and NPHC must work to
build this relationship.
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IX. Fund Raising
The Commission through its Funding Committee must strive to raise
funds for Greek projects and programs. We must work with the Chancellor,
the Provost, the University Foundation and the Wisconsin Alumni
Association on a program to raise funds. The Funding Committee in
consultation with chapter presidents and the Greek Alumni Council
needs to develop a comprehensive Greek Alumni Directory across all
chapters that can be utilized to solicit funds for all Greek programs,
chapter programs and house physical plant maintenance and remodeling.
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X. Recommendations for Building the All Greek
Community
A. All Greek Welcome Celebration. The Greek system needs
an annual welcoming celebration for all members early in the school
year. We propose the establishment of an All Greek Welcome Celebration
in September each year to be held on campus and where colors and
letters are worn and chapter songs are sung. The assembly should
include introductory comments by the Chancellor or the Provost,
a presentation by a national Greek leader on the meaning of Greek
life, and comments by the Dean of Students and others emphasizing
the importance of Greek contributions to the University, to the
undergraduate experience and to the community. Umbrella group
officers and chapter presidents should be introduced and short
presentations should be made by the Presidents of the three umbrella
groups outlining programs for the year and the importance of chapter
participation. Planning and execution of this event should be
a part of the mission of the All Greek Council in consultation
with the Fraternity & Sorority Advisor and the umbrella group
officers and with the assistance of the Fraternity & Sorority
Interns.
B. Greek Spirit Week. The present Greek Week held in April
should become the occasion for Greek identity and pride and should
include wide notice and publicity to the University and Madison
communities, including a series of news articles on Greek life
accomplishments, philanthropies and volunteerism. Chapter members
should be encouraged to wear their colors and letters to class
during the week. Funds can be raised through promotion and sales
of T-shirts and sweat shirts with “Greek Spirit Week”
printed on them and profits going to All Greek Council for its
activities. Dinners should take place in all chapter houses with
invited faculty and staff guests. A Library Mall display of Greek
history and accomplishments in philanthropies and volunteerism
should be set up, and membership recruitment information and applications
for all chapters should be displayed on the Mall and elsewhere
during the week.
C. Greek Sports League. With assistance from University
Recreational Sports, IFC needs to expand Badger Bowl to include
a sports league of Greek games composed of chapters or paired
chapters in competition with other chapters or paired Greek chapters,
and in competition with other student organizations. A comparable
recsports program for sororities should be established. Coed sports
should be included in the plan.
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