Shaping the Future of Greek Life
A clear impact with so much more potential….
Theta Chi Alumni - Mr. Tim Hilborn, 81
On April 28, a group of dedicated Greek leaders, both alumni and alumnae, as well as current Greek life students, along with University of Findlay (UF) staff sat down to bridge the gap between campus and community. It has been clear that the greek organizations and the UF administration would benefit from a review of greek life and its impact on campus. This caused several in the administration and those involved in greek life to begin sharing greek life - who it is involved/current state, how it benefits the university, and what steps to improve could be taken.
The organizers of this event established several goals for the meeting, including: presenting what organizations currently make up the Greek system at UF, the current state of the greek system on campus, show a comparison of other similar sized universities with thriving greek life programs had to offer, and what next steps could be taken at UF to further the positive impact it could have on the UF campus.
Greek Life at UF - Who is it / What is the Impact
Sigma Kappa Sorority - President, Sophia Parker
The presenters began by presenting an overview of the two greek organizations on campus today - Sigma Kappa sorority and Theta Chi Fraternity. The presenters include current student members of those organizations. Both showing the benefits they have realized and their belief that greek life at the university is an asset that is not offered by any other organization at the university. The highlights included benefits in academic excellence, leadership development, organizational involvement and development, mentoring with goal setting, career planning and networking, establishing lifelong relationships, and overall enhancement of the college experience. There was specific focus on health and safety.
Theta Chi Fraternity - President, Cooper Sterling
This was presented by Cooper Sterling, President of Theta Chi Fraternity. Cooper reviewed the Theta Chi Fraternity - Sacred Purpose program that requires all members to be trained and adhere to the sacred purpose guidelines.
Greek System Research
The presentation team shared Greek System research articles, data, and information that indicated, for those universities with greek life programs, have a positive impact to the university and its students. The two highlighted articles included a article from William and Mary - Quantitative Study on the Impact of Adding a Fraternity & Sorority at Colleges and Universities in the United States. And, a 2021 Gallup survey of 10,000 alumni and interviews with 3,000 alumni with indication of a positive university experience. The key takeaways included the following (note: affiliated alumni indicate being part of a greek organization):
Success & Retention: Greek life shown to retain students at the university and support higher graduation rates. NOTE: this was confirmed in the UF Greek System Plan research where one university tracked its greek affiliated student 1st year retention rate and its greek affiliate student graduation rate - both being markedly more positive than non-affiliated students.
Giving Back: 54% of Greek-affiliated alumni donated to their alma mater in the last year, versus just 10% of non-affiliated alumni.
Positive Life: Affiliated alumni are nearly 5 times as likely as nonaffiliated alumni to rate their present lives as a 10. Where 10 is the best possible life and 0 is the worst.
Likelihood to Recommend: Affiliated alumni more likely to promote their alma mater.
This data and our local Sigma Kappa’s 65-year legacy of resilience to Theta Chi’s "Sacred Purpose" and the fact that scholarships, mentorships, career development opportunities, leadership development, alumni giving back both monetarily and in donating their time confirmed that greek life at the University of Findlay is having a significant impact and is enhancing the student experience.
Kendra Spears, Sigma Kappa Alumni - Recruitment Leader
The event also spoke to the importance of communication and its impact on membership. The Sigma Kappa sorority has over 40+ members at this time - speaking to the student demand and the impact that this organization is having on campus. This was highlighted by Kendra Spears as she presented the Sigma Kappa impact on campus and how it has seen improvements in membership as a result of recruitment and communication training.
Greek Organization Planning
It is true - hope is not a plan. And, that is what has driving both Theta Chi fraternity and Sigma Kappa sorority. And, as a result of their plans have had a significant impact on the university and on the local community.
The Theta Chi fraternity alumni association reviewed, at a high level, its strategic plan and 10 year vision for supporting its chapter and its alma mater.
Academic Scholarships: The alumni association has awarded many academic scholarships over the past 10+ years. And, plans to continue this annual giving.
10 years vision - increase the scholarship amounts
Support Scholarships: Also awarded in the most recent several years have been support scholarships.
10 year vision - increase the support scholarship amounts.
Leadership Development: The alumni association currently provides 2 leadership trainings per year to all collegiate and alumni members.
Speaking Events: The Theta Chi alumni has been invited to speak to student classes or events over the past 5+ years. The goal is to have alumni with extensive professional current experience to give back by sharing their career experience.
Philanthropic Support: The collegiate and alumni membership has supported the university monetarily as well. In some cases making significant donations to the university - further confirming the alignment of greek life students giving back to their alma mater.
Greek and Administrative Alignment: The need for continuing understanding of the unviersity needs and what the greek organizations can do for the university continues. A recent board meeting included an update on the work of greek organizations and a commitment to work to its strategic plan. The regular meetings with key university administrators is also underway. And, meetings like the “Shaping the Future of Greek Life at the University of Findlay” going a long way toward furthering the understanding of where we can all have the most impact on the students experience.
Next Steps - Key Strategies Highlighted
The presenters opened the floor to ideas on where we can take next steps in furthering the impact of greek life at the university. There were several ideas shared, including:
Establish a greek council to develop a plan and see its execution.
Establish academic performance and development oversight
Add Greek organizations to campus.
Establish Greek specific housing options.
Assist as requested in university planning and support.
Add Greek experience staff to oversee the greek life plan and organization
Establish standards of excellence with associated tracking(ex. GPA performance, track retention/graduation rates, track employment, philanthropic giving, involvement on campus, leadership)
Engagement of Alumni in growing and supporting the greek system and the university
Establish a health and safety program
Grow the mentoring program
Develop and/or support career development and networking
The attendees participated in the discussion on the ideas list. And, offered several other thoughts that deepend the overall ideas list.
Meeting Close
The presenters thanked the attendees for the spirited discussion and support. The attendees at this meeting have commented since the meeting that they appreciated knowing what great support the current greek organizations offer - and noted that they were not aware and do support the overall direction. And all in attendance expressed great interest in the next step potential discussed during the meeting.
We are following up with attendees via a brief survey and will share those results as we finalize our next steps. To truly move the needle, all UF staff and faculty need to look for "commonalities." Greek Life isn’t just an extracurricular; it is a "home away from home" that creates the best versions of our students.