Student Affairs

What is the program’s mission statement or statement of purpose? Why does the program exist?

Mission Statement of the EIU Fraternity & Sorority Community

The Eastern Illinois University Fraternity & Sorority Community prides itself in tradition and academic excellence. We aim to further develop men and women in the areas of integrity, leadership, and high moral values in order to better ourselves, and the community, through service.

How does the program mission align with the university mission?

Fraternity & Sorority Programs primary alignment with the University mission through “applied learning experiences within a student-centered campus culture.” Students are provided with opportunities to develop leadership skills in support of their organizations, work and live in an environment where peer accountability is important, and provide service to the community through programs and philanthropies. The fraternities and sororities also provide significant social and educational programming in support of a “student-centered campus culture.”

Whom does the program serve?

Fraternity & Sorority Programs supports over 1,500 students in 26 fraternity & sorority chapters, with three governing councils. In the Spring of 2013, that covered 22% of full-time undergraduate students.

What are the services provided? How do these services align with the university mission and program mission?

The primary service to the chapters comes from direct advising of chapter leaders, in partnership with advisors designated by the various national organizations and organizational headquarters staff. The office coordinates and presents leadership retreats/workshops for presidents at the beginning of each semester, facilitates chapter participation in Homecoming and other student activities, and through the councils coordinates educational programming each semester. The office is also engaged in coordinating registered social functions, philanthropies and community service. With a committee of students, the office advises and facilitates Greek Week each Spring. The office also coordinates and supports recruitment activities, in support of each council. Again, this is in support of “applied learning experiences within a student-centered campus culture.”

Describe the program’s origins (e.g. year established, purpose, expectations).

The first fraternity at Eastern Illinois was established in 1930 (Phi Sigma Epsilon), and the first sorority came in 1942 (Sigma Sigma Sigma). The years following World War II saw the greatest growth in adding chapters. This was a way to provide support and structure for a growing student population, and most of the organizations provided housing for their members. A second wave of growth took place in the 1980s and 90s providing more opportunities for student involvement. The first NPHC (historically African-American fraternity) was established in 1968 (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.), followed by the first NPHC sorority in 1971 (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.)

How has the unit changed or adapted over time?

The two biggest influences on fraternities and sororities over time have been the move to on-campus chapter housing, and the increased importance of policies and procedures to limit risky behavior. This has led to a greater importance on reviewing and registering social events with alcohol, immediately addressing concerns related to potential hazing or other behavior, and a greater oversight by the University.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program’s history and relevance to university mission.

Provide data, if available, on the numbers of students, faculty, staff, or others served by the program during the past four years. If no data are available, please estimate the numbers served annually.

• Total Members:
• Spring 2013 – 1,572 (22.4%); Fall 2012 – 1,598
• Spring 2012 – 1,556 (20.4%); Fall 2011 – 1,608
• Spring 2011 – 1,526 (19.0%); Fall 2010 – 1,539
• Total New Members:
• Spring 2013 – 153; Fall 2012 – 429
• Spring 2012 – 130; Fall 2011 – 436
• Spring 2011 – 118; Fall 2010 – 403

Does the program offer any co-curricular opportunities for students (e.g., internships, RSO support, service-learning activities)? Please describe.

Through leadership opportunities within fraternity/sorority chapters and councils, students are able to develop skills in managing large groups of peers, budgeting and program development, and communication skills. The office also coordinates attendance for approximately 30 students at a regional leadership conference each February. Each of the fraternity & sorority national organization also has annual regional and national conferences that are attended by undergraduate members. All of the chapters are also required to perform community service and philanthropy to support local and national charities.

Does the program contribute to the delivery of academic programs (e.g., providing professional expertise, serving as adjunct faculty)? Please describe.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the internal demand for the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., curriculum changes made by another program) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Over the past three years, the number of students participating in fraternities & sororities has remained very consistent. With the reduced number of students enrolled, that has allowed for an increase in the percentage of students involved in our programs. In the coming years, we expect a demand for other cultural-based fraternities and sororities to arise based on the changing demographics of the student body.

Is the program accredited or approved by a recognized external agency or otherwise certified to meet established professional standards? Provide an executive summary of and link to the program’s most recent accreditation or certification report, if available.

Is the program required to meet any regulatory or legal requirements? Is the program subject to any special auditing requirements?

What are the most important outreach or public service activities supported by the program?

How do the local community and the region benefit from the program?

Each fraternity & sorority chapter is required to perform community service, and raise funds for philanthropic efforts. While several organizations have connections to national charities, we emphasize the need to provide support and service within the local community. For example, as part of Greek Week last Spring, the members of the fraternities and sororities raised over $1,500 to help a local community build a baseball facility for its youth, spent a day providing activities for the students at Charleston’s Jefferson Elementary School, and hosted a speaker on the importance of organ donation for over 600 students (many signed up at the event to become donors).

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the external demand for the program.

What are the two or three more important measureable outcomes tracked to assess program quality? Does the program conduct an outcomes assessment, and if so, what has been the impact?

The primary numbers tracked by Fraternity & Sorority Programs are membership numbers, and group academic performance. The membership numbers for the past three years are provided under item #2. The overall academic performance for the past three years are:

• All F&S Semester GPA:
• Spring 2013 – 2.92; Fall 2012 – 2.88
• Spring 2012 – 2.92; Fall 2011 – 2.86
• Spring 2011 – 2.94; Fall 2010 – 2.92

During that time, the overall semester GPA for all EIU undergraduates has ranged from 2.73 to 2.82. Detailed chapter and community academic information can be found on our website at http://www.eiu.edu/grklife/academics.php.

What are the two or three most effective best practices that the program has implemented? What benefits have been gained from implementing these best practices?

What external recognitions (e.g., awards, accommodations, professional certifications, references in trade publications) have the program and its staff received in the past three years?

• Jaclyn D’Andrea, Graduate Assistant, received      Order of Omega Graduate Fellowship
• Jaclyn D’Andrea, Graduate Assistant, had an      overview of her thesis published in the AFA on-line journal, Oracle, in      May. She will be receiving an award from the Center for the Study of the      College Fraternity for outstanding graduate thesis at the AFA Annual      Meeting in December 2013.

Is the program active with any regional, national, or international professional organizations?

Dean Harwood, Director of Fraternity & Sorority Programs, is a member of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA). Graduate staff have also been members of AFA. Our three governing councils are members of the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values, thus providing staff access to that organization, its resources, and conference.

Note any presentations, publications, or offices held in the last three years.

• Dean      Harwood, attended Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) Annual      Meeting in 2012, AFLV-Central Conference, and AFA Region 3 in 2013.      Presented a session on current events in the fraternity/sorority world at      AFLV and the AFA Region 3 summer meeting.
• Jaclyn      D’Andrea, Graduate Assistant, attended AFA Annual Meeting, attended and      presented at AFLV-Central Conference
• Dean      Harwood attended the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors Annual      Meeting in 2010. Co-presented two conference sessions.

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the quality of program outcomes.

Note any special benefits (e.g., personnel support, equipment, permanent improvements) that the program has received in the past three years from its grants and other sponsored programs.

How does the program benefit from donor gifts (e.g., scholarships, endowed chairs)? Does donor support provide a significant percentage of the program’s overall funding?

List two or three key relationships that the program maintains with external constituencies (e.g., community colleges, other universities, government bodies). How do these relationships advance the university mission or otherwise benefit the university?

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the resources generated by the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., revenue pass-throughs) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Provide an executive summary of and link to any metrics or benchmarks that the program tracks to measure productivity.

As noted earlier, Fraternity & Sorority Programs serves a student population of over 1,500. Membership and group academic date can be found at http://www.eiu.edu/grklife/academics.php. The staff for this program consists of one full-time Director, one Graduate Assistant, and an Office Manager that is shared with Student Community Service. We also receive support from the four Graduate Associate Residence Directors in Greek Court in advising student groups and activities.

What initiatives has the program implemented to enhance staff productivity (e.g., access to training, workflow improvements)? Briefly describe the costs and benefits of these initiatives.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the productivity of the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., accreditation requirements, curricular changes, program restructuring) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

It is important to note when addressing program productivity that the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Programs has no programming budget, and the student organizations that we support do not receive any allocated funds or student activity fees. All of the programs and activities are funded by the undergraduate members, through their chapter and council dues. Other than the costs related to the staff and office, all of the activities and events provided by Fraternity & Sorority Programs, and the fraternity & sorority chapters, are self-funded.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the costs associated with the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., expenditures made centrally or externally, expenditures made on behalf of other units) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Fraternity & Sorority Programs does not have its own accounts. We do not receive any allocated funds or student activity fees. Office expenses are included with the Office of Student Life, and personnel & travel expenses go through the accounts of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

How does the program seek to distinguish itself from similar programs at other institutions?

While fraternity & sorority communities are common at Universities across the country, the elements that are unique to EIU are the presence of a large, University-owned and operated, residential community designed for use by fraternities and sororities, and the relatively large percentage of students involved. Many other campuses are developing fraternity/sorority villages, but EIU was one of the earlier developments in this area. While the residential component is managed and operated by Housing & Dining Service, it does have an impact on the makeup of the community and the events and activities provided by Fraternity & Sorority Programs. With 22% of undergraduate students involved in fraternities and sororities, our community is larger than would be projected for a similar-sized regional state institution.

Note any unique and/or essential contributions that the program makes to the university.

While metrics are not currently available, research at other institutions and anecdotal evidence from EIU, indicate that fraternity and sorority membership plays a significant role in retention for those students. This is consistent with research on the importance of student engagement outside the classroom, and it is an area that deserves additional research. There is also research that shows that the level of engagement in fraternities and sororities also leads to greater engagement and giving as alumni. Again, this is an area that deserves additional research specific to EIU.

Provide any program-specific metrics that help to document program contributions or program quality. Examples of some commonly used program-specific metrics may be found here.

As indicated by the academic and membership reports (http://www.eiu.edu/grklife/academics.php), members of fraternities and sororities, as a group, have higher semester grade point averages than the overall undergraduate population.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program impact on the university mission.

Provide a link to or listing of the program’s goals and/or strategic plan.

What role will the program have in the implementation of the university’s strategic plan (provide link to strategic plan)?

In the next two or three years, what best practices, improvements in operations, or other opportunities to advance the university’s mission are likely to be implemented?

The changing demographics and enrollment numbers provide both the greatest challenges, and the best opportunities, for the fraternity & sorority community. The changing demographics indicate a greater diversity within the student body. This will likely show itself through an interest and demand for more culturally based fraternities and sororities. There are several organizations that express interest in serving this population, and it is likely that will result in new chapters in the next few years. The stagnant enrollment numbers have caused the fraternities and sororities to take a closer look at how they recruit members. Thus far, they have been up to the challenge in maintaining membership numbers. AS the enrollment rebounds, there will be an opportunity to add new chapters that will revitalize the community with new ideas (and fewer bad habits).

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand future opportunities for the program.