A Review of the Florida State University Fraternity and Sorority Community

1 A Review of the Florida State University Fraternity and Sorority Community Conducted by Michael Hayes and Monica Miranda Smalls April 17-19, 2011 2 Introduction and Background Florida State University, in an effort to enhance the experience of fraternity and sorority members and the greater campus community, elected to hire outside consultants to conduct a review of the fraternity and sorority community. Central to the issues the institution hoped to address were the presence of risky behavior, academic performance of the community, and the transition of new members into the community. Two consultants were hired to review and offer thoughts/recommendations to the University for their consideration. The consultants contracted were: Michael Hayes Michael Hayes currently serves as the Executive Director of Campus Life at Washington University in St. Louis. Mr. Hayes’s primary responsibilities are working with co-curricular programs including Greek life, student organizations, the Leadership Initiative and multicultural programming and advising. Prior to his coming to the University, he served in student affairs positions at the University of Maryland-College Park, Cornell University, DePauw University, Miami University (OH), and Westminster College (MO). Professionally, Mr. Hayes is involved with the NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA). He served as the AFA President in 1995 and as the President of its Foundation in 1994. He serves as a Lead Facilitator for the LeaderShape Institute and has been a Senior Fellow for the Interfraternity Institute (IFI). Mr. Hayes also has been a volunteer for his fraternity Pi Kappa Alpha, serving as a chapter advisor, a member and Chair of the Educational Advisory Committee and, most recently, President of Pike University, the educational programming arm of the fraternity. Mr. Hayes is also involved with the Human Rights Campaign, an LGBT Equality organization. Mr. Hayes completed both his Bachelor and Master of Science degrees at Indiana State University in Terre Haute, Indiana. Monica L. Miranda Smalls Monica L. Miranda Smalls has almost 18 years of personal and professional experience in fraternity and sorority life. Professionally, Mrs. Miranda Smalls serves as the Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs in the Office of the Dean of Students at the University of Rochester. Prior to moving to Rochester, she was a Student Activities Associate at her alma mater, the University at Albany, State University of New York, where she received her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Along with serving as an educational consultant, Mrs. Miranda Smalls facilitates multiple leadership development programs and interactive workshops for CAMPUSPEAK, since 2001, and presents regionally and nationally on a variety of topics. A dedicated professional and volunteer Mrs. Miranda Smalls serves as the 2011 President for the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) and has served in multiple volunteer roles for her 3 sorority, Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.. She has been recognized with the 2011 Philipi Award from the Northeast Greek Leadership Association, as one of the Top 20 Most Influential Sisters at Omega Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.’s 20th Anniversary Convention in 2009, as the 2008 AFA Sue Kraft Fussell Distinguished Service Award recipient, the 2008 Outstanding Greek Advisor for Phi Sigma Sigma, and the 2007 and 2008 Professional of the Year from the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO). Mrs. Miranda Smalls is also a member of NASPA: Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and ACPA: College Student Educators International. Mrs. Smalls is currently pursuing a Ph. D., in the Educational Leadership program with a concentration in Higher Education at the Warner School of Education at the University of Rochester. Key Dates for the University and Greek Community 1851 West Florida Seminary 1860-61 The Florida Military and Collegiate Institute 1861 West Florida Seminary 1883 West Florida Seminary become part of Florida University 1901 Florida State College 1904 Kappa Delta is charted 1905 Buckman Act reorganizes institution into Florida State College for Women 1908-09 Chi Omega and Alpha Delta Pi are chartered 1947 After World War II, Legislature returned FSCW to a coeducational institution, Florida State University 1949 Alpha Tau Omega, Delta Tau Delta, Kappa Alpha, Phi Kappa Tau, Theta Chi are chartered 1971-75 Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Phi Beta Sigma, Sigma Gamma Rho are chartered 1997 Sigma Lambda Beta is chartered 2000 Multicultural Greek Council formed 4 Data Collection 11 interviews or focus groups were conducted with over 120 individuals or groups over the course of two days, April 18 and 19th. (See Appendix 1) Constituencies represented included, but were not limited to, staff of the Dean of Students Office including the Office of Greek Life and the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, members of the FSU Police Department, including Greek Cops, Center for Multicultural Affairs, Housing/Family Life, Campus Recreation, the Oglesby Union, Student Activities, and the Associate General Counsel. Multiple faculty members, additional campus partners, chapter advisors and students from the Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and the Panhellenic Council also participated in the interviews. One chapter advisor provided feedback in writing at the end of the chapter advisor focus group. An opportunity to send additional feedback to the consultants was provided to participants and those unable to attend any of the in-person interviews. An undergraduate student, a faculty member, and two chapter advisors did provide additional feedback via email. In an effort to glean the most information from the participants the consultants used similar open- ended questions to begin each interview or focus group. The following questions were used: 1) What are the positive aspects of fraternity/sorority life at FSU? 2) What are the challenges of the fraternity/sorority experience at FSU? 3) From your vantage point, what do you think the fraternity/sorority experience should be? 4) Please share with us what you think are the “sacred cows”? 5) What are 2-3 changes you would make to enhance the fraternity/sorority experience at FSU? 6) How do you think the fraternity/sorority community is perceived by others? 7) Is there anything else you want to share? Follow up questions were posed based on the participant responses to the basic, initial questions asked. For question number one and two participants were often prompted to focus on four specific areas: the experience, institutional support, perceptions of the experience and institutional support, and the community (internal and external). 5 Areas of Pride There are many things of which the University and Fraternity/Sorority Community should be proud. Faculty, Staff and Alumni First and most noteworthy is the committed, dedicated and knowledgeable staff. They are seen as advocates, role models and solid practitioners by both the students and their colleagues. They seek developmental opportunities to reflect current trends and professional practice. Both students and staff alike spoke highly of their efforts. Students share “the Greek Life staff are beyond amazing…it’s like family… they empower us…very blessed to have such a great Greek life staff”. The Greek Life staff organizes their advising and administrative responsibilities in an appropriate and easily maneuvered manner. They are seen as approachable and collegial. Finally, the team orientation of the group, along with their Student Affairs colleagues enables a high level of trust and communication. The Dean of Students, her staff, as well as the Vice-President of Student Affairs are incredibly invested in the success of the fraternity and sorority program at the University. The Mission and Vision of the Greek Life Office is strong and appropriate. Support of colleagues, collaborative spirit, support of Greek life staff from others on staff, and collegial relationships are strong (particularly within the Greek life staff). Interest among faculty and staff in the fraternity and sorority experience is high. There are several supportive and potentially helpful members of the faculty and central administration who have high regard for the fraternity and sorority experience. There is a high level of interest and effort from the alumni working with the majority of the undergraduate chapters. Students The self-governance philosophy is important to the student leadership. There are active mechanisms in place to hold chapters accountable for Code of Conduct violations. Fraternity and sorority members possess multiple campus leadership positions and it appears there is an expectation of campus involvement by many of the chapters of their members. 6 The community is actively engaged in service and philanthropic endeavors and is having a large impact on the causes they support. There appears to be pockets of collaboration and cooperation in and among Councils and chapters. There is a high level of excitement about the Greek Leadership Summit. The competition between chapters and Councils seems to be overt and does not appear, on the surface, to be divisive. The community is seen as vital contributors to the spirit and pride around the University’s athletic program. Areas for Concern Values Congruence/Concept of Community There is

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