On Homecoming weekend, I had lunch with Mike Silvestro '05. Mike and I got to know one another very well through his position as president of the Inter Fraternity Council. He is in his first year of law school at Boston College. His predecessor on IFC was Alex Klein '04, in his second year of law school at Rutgers. His successor, Drew Moyer '06, is headed for a career in engineering. Besides being among the best and brightest at Union, what do these men have in common?
They all have an open-mindedness to a changing college, believe in Greek life, and are working hard with the administration to invigorate fraternity life during a time of significant transition.
As most readers know, Union is forging new ground with its Minerva Houses. While many liberal arts colleges have eliminated fraternities and sororities as they begin such programs, we are working hard with the Greeks to continue their traditions and support their efforts to contribute to Union.
At the same time, the college is committed to its high standards for social and residence life. (You may have read earlier in this magazine about a disciplinary action involving Chi Psi fraternity.) These standards apply to all groups -Theme Houses, Minervas and the Greeks. It is important to note that our policies and expectations for Greek life are very much consistent with those of Greek national associations. To ensure broad participation, policies are reviewed periodically by the Student Affairs Committee. This process provides for an in depth written self-analysis of what the Greek system is offering to its members, to Union, and to the broader community.
We recognize that Union has an important responsibility to support the Greek system. Union has committed staff resources to support the effort. Lisa Bovino, assistant director of residential life, spends countless hours advising fraternities. Kerrie Wolf, assistant director of student activities, does the same for sororities. Both women attend regional and national conferences on enhancing Greek life. Last year, Lisa brought three IFC board members to a conference in Baltimore.
This year, we expanded our campus judicial program so that fraternities or sororities charged with violations of the Student Conduct Code can have their cases heard by the IFC. With the formation of the judiciary committee, Greek leaders have an important ownership in setting standards for the community.
Additionally, College staff has lunch discussions with Greek leaders three times per term. Topics have included including changing the Rush process, community service initiatives and philanthropy projects. The Greeks are clearly interested in alumni involvement, and we are working closely with Alumni Relations to connect alumni with their houses.
On campus, pledge numbers are strong, and the chapters relocated for the Minervas have adjusted well in Fox and Davidson. It is striking to see the restored Sigma Phi mural, a prominent part of the old house, hanging in the new dining room in Davidson. Pledges have painted other art work to distinguish the space from other residential space in the building.
Fraternities and sororities continue as major contributors to campus life. Just a slice of what is happening is quite impressive:
-The IFC sponsored an anti-hazing workshop and alcohol awareness program;
-Sigma Phi and Iota Phi Theta co-sponsored an event on Multi-cultural Weekend with approximately 300 guests;
-Delta Kappa Epsilon and Sig Phi are promoting a Monopoly Tournament to benefit Schenectady Family and Child Services;
-Sigma Chi sponsored a blood drive for victims of Hurricane Katrina;
-Alpha Delta Phi hosts weekly Thursday dinners for brothers and guests;
-Psi U is helping clean up Vale Cemetery;
-Phi Iota Alpha hosted a Halloween extravaganza for local families;
-TD Chi adopted a stretch of I-890 that they are cleaning;
-Phi Delta Theta showed off their newly-renovated house in a barbecue attended students, faculty, staff and President Underwood;
-Panhellenic Council is bringing to campus James Frey, author of the bestseller A Million Little Pieces, about drug and alcohol addiction as part of an awareness week they are sponsoring;
-Several sorority women are planning a dance marathon for charity and a letter-writing campaign for donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.
I'm proud to report that Greek life is alive and well at Union, and members are working with the College to enhance their important contributions to campus life. Those of us who work with students are, in turn, looking for even better ways to provide direction, support-even challenge-and we welcome alumni involvement in this important effort. We believe we have an opportunity for a model student life program, which has a place at the table for all programs that enliven and enrich our campus.
Tom McEvoy
Dean of Resident
and Campus Life