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Fraternity and Sorority Life

Mission Statement | Departmental Highlights | Departmental Challenges | Departmental Goals

MISSION STATEMENT

The Southern Methodist University Fraternity and Sorority Community are committed to supporting and nurturing a connection among individual members, organizations and the SMU community. Through this relationship, we promote a well-rounded college experience grounded in shared goals and values, while respecting the diverse objectives of our chapters and their individual members. We endeavor to provide a Greek experience that fosters a lifelong connection to our chapters and the University.

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2010-11 DEPARTMENTAL HIGHLIGHTS

For most of the 2010-2011 academic year the office was short staffed as we launched searches for both coordinator positions. We were able to hire a part time graduate student to help with projects and day to day office issues.

Specifically, we accomplished the following goals:

• We participated in the NASPA Consortium Fraternity & Sorority Student Impact Survey.
• We saw an increased attendance at the Panhellenic Potential New Member Parent Tea hosted during Family Weekend. We had over 300 people in attendance which is a 50% increase from the previous year.
• We hosted a transition retreat at the end of the year for all chapters to offer resources to further aid the development of their leadership skills and their chapter’s development as well.
• We filled both Coordinators for Fraternity & Sorority Life positions over the summer and began work to transition advisement responsibilities to these two new staff members.
• We hosted a graduate intern from William & Mary for the summer. She was able to help us create & plan some new initiatives for the 11-12 school year.
• We implemented a new seminar for students who are interested in exploring membership in NPHC organizations. The sessions allowed students to interact with national & local representatives of NPHC groups while learning about the purpose and values of these organizations.

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DEPARTMENTAL CHALLENGES

• Being short-staffed as presented challenges with being able to give each council individualized attention and to be able to give enough time to the student leaders within each council as they progress through their officer positions and various issues that may come up during their terms.

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DEPARTMENTAL GOALS

Student Success

• Improve training for council officers and chapter executive officers and provide additional resources in the areas of social event registration, community service & philanthropy, risk management &liability and public relations.
• Ensure that information sessions continue to be held for men and women interested in going through recruitment or intake with one of the four governing councils.

Student Learning

• Initiate the creation of a leadership development program to take the place of futures-quest.
• Implement a new member orientation centered on helping men and women who have just accepted a bid to join a fraternity or sorority understand the values based aspect of fraternities & sororities at SMU.

Exemplary Division of Student Affairs

• Develop 1-2 strategic partnerships with other departments at SMU that will benefit the development & resources provided to the students we work with.
• Select a committee that will work on developing a strategic plan for Fraternity & Sorority Life focused on the next 3 years.

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