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Exploring the Relationship Between Fraternal Organizations and the University of Michigan: an Organizational Analysis Devin Berghorst

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Exploring the Relationship Between Fraternal Organizations and the University of Michigan: an Organizational Analysis Devin Berghorst Eastern Michigan University DigitalCommons@EMU Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations Graduate Capstone Projects 2019 Exploring the relationship between fraternal organizations and the University of Michigan: An organizational analysis Devin Berghorst Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.emich.edu/theses Part of the Educational Leadership Commons, and the Higher Education Administration Commons Recommended Citation Berghorst, Devin, "Exploring the relationship between fraternal organizations and the University of Michigan: An organizational analysis" (2019). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 989. https://commons.emich.edu/theses/989 This Open Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by the Master's Theses, and Doctoral Dissertations, and Graduate Capstone Projects at DigitalCommons@EMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@EMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Running head: FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND U-M Exploring the Relationship Between Fraternal Organizations and the University of Michigan: An Organizational Analysis by Devin Berghorst Dissertation Submitted to the College of Education Eastern Michigan University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in Educational Leadership Dissertation Committee: Elizabeth Broughton, EdD, Chair James Barott, PhD Ronald Flowers, EdD Robert Orrange, PhD April 22, 2019 Ypsilanti, Michigan FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND U-M ii Dedication: To Liz, Grayson, and Ripley: I love you so much. Thank you for everything you have sacrificed to allow me to complete this journey. To Mary Beth Seiler: You have had an incredible impact on me, and without you, I don’t know where I would be right now. You gave me my first professional opportunity and taught me the true meaning and value of fraternity and sorority life. You are a rock star. FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND U-M iii Acknowledgments: To Dr. Broughton: Without you, this would not have been possible. Thank you for continuously pushing me throughout this process and always reminding me that my words matter. To Dr. Barott: Thank you for believing in me and putting your trust in me to carry this knowledge forward. I promise to share what I have learned. To Dr. Flowers: Thank you for being a constant for me throughout my time at Eastern Michigan University. Your guidance through the program was invaluable. To Dr. Orrange: Thank you for helping me think differently about my study. Your insight was so appreciated. To my family: Thank you all for always being there for me. To Dan Toren: Your persistence is the only reason I gave fraternity a chance. You showed me a different side of Hope College and a different side of myself. To everyone else who made this possible: Thank you for the encouragement, guidance, and all actions, big or small, that helped make this happen. FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND U-M iv Abstract The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between fraternal organizations and the University of Michigan and the implications for student affairs. This study was conducted by analyzing three distinct eras (two eras of politicization and one era of quiescence). Each era featured conflict between fraternal organizations and institutional actors (faculty, staff), and was analyzed to determine what, if any, implications there were for student affairs at the University of Michigan. The conceptual framework applied concepts from areas pertaining to conflict and organizational theory. Additionally, these concepts were informed by research about political organizations. The research method used was a case study method. The conflicts analyzed in this study were examined through an historical context in which they occurred. Data was collected through document and record analysis, collectively referred to as artifacts. Examples of records included items such as rosters, grade files, and meeting minutes. Additional evidence reviewed were letters, newspaper articles, case studies, and photographs. The relationship between fraternal organizations and student affairs provided multiple implications for educational leaders. The first is the importance of understanding the historical nature of conflict, how it evolves, and the cyclical nature of conflict. Through this understanding, student affairs professionals are conflict managers. The second implication is the significant role of student affairs professionals in managing conflict. Regardless of the job title of a student affairs professional, this study demonstrated that all student affairs professionals are conflict managers. Finally, this study explained how educational leaders can use conflict to expand the role of student affairs and its various sub-units. Periods of conflict may create conditions where educational leaders can request additional staff and resources to better manage conflict. FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND U-M v Table of Contents Dedication ....................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgments .......................................................................................................................... iii Abstract .......................................................................................................................................... iv List of Figures ................................................................................................................................ xi Chapter 1: Introduction to the Study ............................................................................................... 1 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................... 2 Research Questions ..................................................................................................................... 2 Conceptual Framework ............................................................................................................... 2 Methodology ............................................................................................................................... 3 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter 2: History of Fraternities and Sororities ............................................................................ 6 History of Fraternities and Sororities Nationally ........................................................................ 6 Beginning of fraternities on college campuses (1650-1907). .................................................. 7 America goes to college… and joins a fraternity (or sorority) (1870-1929). ........................ 15 The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945). ......................................................... 20 Activism, discrimination, and declining membership (1945-1975). ..................................... 22 Emergence of the “Animal House” (1975-2000). ................................................................. 26 Values, liability, and the future of Greek life (2000-Present). .............................................. 30 Conclusion. ............................................................................................................................ 35 History of Fraternities and Sororities at the University of Michigan ........................................ 35 FRATERNAL ORGANIZATIONS AND U-M vi Fraternity war, 1845-1850. .................................................................................................... 36 Growth of the Community, 1850-1930. ................................................................................ 41 The Great Depression and World War II, 1930-1950. .......................................................... 48 Bias Clauses and Membership Selection, 1950-1970. .......................................................... 53 Fall and Reemergence of Greek life, 1970-1985. .................................................................. 58 Risk Management and University Involvement, 1985-2005. ................................................ 61 Liability, Social Excess, and Change, 1998-Present. ............................................................ 66 Conclusion. ............................................................................................................................ 70 Chapter 3: Methodology ............................................................................................................... 72 Research Design ........................................................................................................................ 72 Ontology. ............................................................................................................................... 73 Epistemology. ........................................................................................................................ 74 Methodology. ......................................................................................................................... 75 Research Tradition .................................................................................................................... 76 Case Study. ...........................................................................................................................
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