Cornell officials unveil new strategic plan for the fraternity and sorority system

Contact: Jacquie Powers
Office: (607) 255-5678
E-Mail: jkp3@cornell.edu


ITHACA, N.Y. -- Cornell University officials have unveiled a new strategic plan aimed at strengthening the Greek system and helping to integrate fraternity and sorority residential life with the undergraduate educational experience.

The strategic plan, which officials will begin to implement this spring, is the result of a two-year planning effort involving undergraduates, alumni, faculty and administrators, said Susan H. Murphy, vice president for student and academic services. More than 350 undergraduates, alumni and faculty participated in developing the plan, Murphy said.

"Being a member of the Greek system at Cornell has been one of the most positive experiences I have had at this school," said Catherine Courtney '97, Panhellenic president. "Unfortunately, if changes are not made, this valuable opportunity may not be available to future generations of students. That is why I am so excited to be part of the strategic plan that will move the Greek system in a positive and lasting direction."

Randy S. Stevens, associate dean of students, noted that the plan will strengthen the Greek system and address shortcomings that currently threaten it.

"Founded upon its long, historic, positive role in the lives of many undergraduate Cornellians, the system today continues to have an extraordinary role to play in the total educational experience of its members. The plan thoughtfully sets forth specific initiatives to strengthen the Greek system and to better integrate fraternity and sorority residential life with the undergraduate educational experience at Cornell," Stevens said.

"I believe too many students see the problems with the system as a perception problem and not one of substance. I applaud and support all that is good about fraternities and sororities, but I am worried that unless we address our short-comings the system will weaken and we will eventually destroy ourselves. The risky behaviors of alcohol and substance abuse, hazing and the lack of care of the physical plants have got to change."

Tony Cashen '57, chair of the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Council, explained that the strategic plan is a "coherent, thoughtful plan for achieving a better-led fraternity and sorority system, with support from the university, from alumni and from undergraduates. It is part of the universitywide examination of the undergraduate experience and is an effort to better integrate the intellectual and educational experience at Cornell with the Greek system."

The plan was endorsed by the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Council and was presented to the Cornell Board of Trustees at its January meeting for review and comment. Undergraduate chapters will work until April 18 to develop and submit plans outlining how they will integrate the principles and guidelines of the strategic plan. Each chapter will have two academic years to fully implement the strategic plan. The Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Council will begin next fall to review each of the chapters, to assist them in achieving the goals of the strategic plan.

"Each chapter needs to develop its own framework for implementing the philosophy of the strategic plan. It is not a list of boxes to check off but an effort to effect a fundamental change in the ethos of the system," Stevens said.

The plan sets forth a vision for the Greek system, noting it exists "to cultivate the intellectual, social and ethical development of our members in an environment of freedom with responsibility." It also identifies areas of special focus with action steps designed to obtain specific objectives. The focus areas are: self-governance, social responsibility, facilities and financial management, perceptions, membership development, leadership development and review and assessment.

The plan calls for increased university support and increased alumni and faculty involvement, and details new community service and facilities management requirements. Some of the action steps recommended include:

Self-Governance

• Each chapter will have an alumni chapter adviser and a corporation board with its own bylaws.

• Each chapter is encouraged to have a residential adviser to support and assist the chapter.

• Social Responsibility Committee (SRC) representatives will provide a mandatory workshop for all new Greek life members every spring semester including a review of SRC guidelines and university regulations.

• Greeks will create a Greek 101 training program for all pledges and/or new members dealing with issues of health, wellness and risk management.

• Each chapter will conduct public service events each semester that emphasizes service, not just fund-raising.

• Each house will have a professional consultant conduct fire and safety inspections each spring that will lead to a house improvement plan.

• Each chapter will use housing contracts with damage clause provisions that will put more responsibility on individual house occupants than on the chapter as a whole for the care of property.

• The chapter treasurer and alumni will develop a five-year financial forecast each spring.

• A Greek vice president for communication will regularly submit articles to local news media to improve the image of the Greek system.

• Greeks will prepare a publicity package for houses explaining how to contact local media and write articles to generate better information and publicity about Greek life.

• The Interfraternity (IFC), Panhellenic (Panhel) and Africana and Latino Greek Letter councils (ALGLC) will establish a committee to design events for strengthening ties between the councils and individual chapters.

• Chapter presidents and pledge educators will attend an informational seminar on hazing early in the fall semester, and each chapter will develop a code of ethics for rushing and pledging.

• All houses will be required to attend the A.D. White Leadership Conference.

• A for-credit Leadership and Operational Management class will be offered to undergraduate chapter leaders to instruct and support better leadership and management practices.

• The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, in conjunction with the IFC, Panhel and ALGLC, will apply the standards outlined in the strategic plan.

• An annual program of certification and university recognition will be followed to assure uniform implementation and adherence to the strategic plan.