Forum discusses problems in Greek community
Too much competition and a lack of participation were discussed.
Published Nov. 10, 2006
A panel of members in the Greek community discussed how to more effectively recruit members, increase involvement within individual chapters and increase communication between chapters on Wednesday night in Jesse Hall.
The Greek Life Community Forum let students ask the panel any question they wished about Greek Life issues.
The event was moderated by Angie Carr, who works for Campuspeak and is a former director of Greek Life at University of Kansas.
National Pan-Hellenic Council President Christopher Addae provided the opening address, in which he stated that Greek students must come together. Then each representative from the four councils gave brief speeches about their missions and what they had accomplished recently.
"I look at our job as helping you people be strong," Interfraternity Council President Daniel Fletcher said, to the audience.
The panel was composed of Addae, Greek Life Director Janna Basler, Fletcher, Multicultural President Felicia Hollis, Panhellenic Association President Erica Lindner, Greek Week Tri-Director Jennifer Moore, Greek Judicial Board Chairman Michael Moorefield and Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Cathy Scroggs.
Afterward, the floor was open for audience members to address the panel.
Carr asked the first question, requesting that panel members tell the audience one thing they would change about Greek Life at MU.
Scroggs said Greek organizations must change their recruiting efforts. She mentioned that many of the previously exclusive aspects of fraternities are now available in residence halls, and parental concern is leading students away from Greek organizations.
"Next Monday night I want you to ask your members about the value of being a member," Scroggs said.
She said that after having this conversation repeatedly within their chapters, members would realize the aspects of their organization they enjoy. They would then naturally tell new students about these aspects during recruiting efforts and thus improve recruiting.
Moorefield said he wanted to rid the Greek organizations of hazing completely. He said he felt chapters build character and hazing does not.
Delta Gamma sorority President Jordan Hulett said members had to spend too much time doing programming for their chapters and did not have enough time to develop "sisterhood and brotherhood."
Lindner said the organizations were too busy competing against one another, but Moorefield said that often the Greek councils are not directly responsible for the over-programming.
Fletcher said he felt that in most Greek chapters, only a third of the total members are active.
He said that getting all members involved in activities would ease the burden on everyone.
Carr said the members at the forum were the one-third Fletcher was referring to. "We're preaching to the choir," she said.
Addae said chapters should work together.
"We've lost the ability to see past our letters," Addae said.
Darrien Echols, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, asked about a possible Web site to keep all Greek organizations aware of each other's events to possibly increase attendances.
Basler said she felt that this information should be found on the Greek Life Web site, instead of Facebook.
Panel members also addressed the issue of recruiting advantages for organizations with a house instead of those who did not have one.
Fletcher said he wanted many of the big recruiting events to be held at sites that do not require houses, but he added he felt the playing field will never be completely equal because housing is often a selling point for recruits.