Greek Life
a. General Description
In comparison to similar institutions, the Greek system at Texas
A&M is still in its infancy. In response to the growing non-cadet population, the
first fraternities and sororities were formed off campus in 1976. The University did not
recognize fraternities as student organizations until 1987 and sororities as student
organizations until 1991. Responsibility for fraternities and sororities was placed under
the auspices of the Department of Student Activities.
In June 1998, the Vice President for Student Affairs moved
responsibility for Greek Life from the Department of Student Activities to the Department
of Student Life. The Vice President realized the growing importance of Greek letter
organizations and wanted to continue to foster good relations between the university and
Greek community. This move aligned the Greek Life Office with the traditional Dean of
Students role played by the Offices of the Dean of Student Life.
The Office of Greek Life is charged with advising the three Greek
Councils at Texas A&M University – the Interfraternity Council (composed of
twenty national and international fraternities), the National Pan-Hellenic Council
(composed of eight historically African-American national and international fraternities
and sororities) and National Panhellenic Council (composed of twelve national and
international fraternities and sororities). It also advises GAMMA (Greeks Advocating
Mature Management of Alcohol), Order of Omega, and Aggie Envoys. Additionally, staff
members provide support and assistance to member chapters.
Councils are provided support in the areas of programming, budgeting,
council management, leadership development, membership recruitment, public relations,
policy interpretation, and scholastic achievement. Staff members help educate fraternity
and sorority members by developing workshops, retreats, programs, and seminars that
address issues facing the Greek community.
Staff members strive to be advocates for the Greek community by
facilitating collaborative relationships and communication between the students, the
campus, the community, local volunteers, and national and international headquarters. They
also assist chapters recognize that personal and group accountability is maintained
through continuous improvement and peer governance.
Both Texas A&M University and the Aggie Greek system benefit
through open communication, cooperation, accountability, advocacy, and support.
b. Target Audience
- Interfraternity Council (IFC)
- National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)
- National Panhellenic Council (NPC)
- Local volunteers (chapter advisors, faculty advisors, Panhellenic Alumnae advisors)
- National/international headquarters staff and chapter consultants
- Parents of affiliated students and/or students that are hoping to be part of the Greek
community
c. Delivery of
Programs and Services
- Issues in Greek Leadership Class
- Rho Chi Training (NPC Rush Advisors Training)
- Advising Councils
- Guest Lecturers
- Council Retreats
- Leadership Development Program (TEAM A&M)
d. Marketing of
Services & Programs
- Speaking at chapter meetings
- President’s roundtable discussions
- President’s newsletter
- Chapter advisor roundtable discussions
- Chapter advisor newsletters
- Chapter advisor listserv
- New Student Conference Presentations
- Spring Rush Informationals
- Speaking at hometown Panhellenic sessions
e. Collaborative efforts
Intradepartmental Collaboration:
- Alcohol & Drug Education Programs – work with chapters to educate about risks
associated with alcohol and other substances.
- Gender Issues Education Services – provide sexual violence education for chapters
and provide educational resources on topics such as sexual assault, rape, sexual
orientation, etc.
- Student Conflict Resolution Services – provide training for judicial boards of each
council
University Collaboration:
- Student Activities – recognition, Student Finance Center, funding
- Special Events Facilities – programs and activities
Community Collaboration:
- Association of Fraternity Advisors
- National Interfraternity Conference
- National Panhellenic Council
- National Pan-Hellenic Council
- Fraternity and sorority national offices/consultants
- Chapter advisors
f. Evaluation and Assessment
- Statistics on individual members and for each chapter including active and recruit grade
point ratios (GPR), chapter size, pledge class size and retention, and overall ranking.
- Statistical data from sorority rush is evaluated and maintained as follows:
- Rushees Who Withdrew From Rush
- Rushees Who Did Not Pledge
- Formal Fall Rush Evaluation
- Annually, further assessment is done of organizational programs and accomplishments with
the intent of applying for, fulfilling and achieving recognition at the local, regional
and/or national level. (Mid-American Greek Association national conference, Western
Regional Greek Conference national conference, Southeastern Panhellenic Conference, etc..)
g. Resources
Personnel
- Coordinator of Greek Life - oversee Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic and NPHC
organization activities, development and provide leadership to Greek Life staff. Prepare
and monitor Greek Life budget. Supervise Panhellenic Advisor, NPHC Advisor, Clerk III, and
student assistant. The Coordinator serves as the primary advisor to IFC and coordinates
advising responsibilities for other Greek related organizations (i.e. Order of Omega,
GAMMA).
- Panhellenic Advisor- oversee Panhellenic Council and NPC organizations at Texas A&M.
The Panhellenic Advisor is also responsible for Panhellenic activities, educational
leadership development, and risk management issues while providing leadership to
Panhellenic organizations. Prepare and monitor Panhellenic Council budget and associated
fiscal accounts. The Panhellenic Advisor also has additional responsibilities for the
advisement of other Greek related organizations (i.e. Order of Omega, GAMMA).
- NPHC Advisor - oversee National Pan-Hellenic Council and NPHC organizations at Texas
A&M. The NPHC Advisor is also responsible for NPHC activities, educational leadership
development, and risk management issues while providing leadership to National Pan-Hell
organizations. Prepare and monitor Pan-Hellenic Council budget and associated fiscal
accounts. The NPHC Advisor also has additional responsibilities for the advisement of
other Greek related organizations (i.e. Order of Omega, GAMMA).
- Clerk III - respond to questions about Greek Life and university services. Maintain
records regarding NPC, IFC, and NPHC chapters, council activities and fiscal accounts.
Schedule meetings. Help coordinate supervision of office student assistants. Assist in
coordination of Greek Life activities and events. Provide clerical support to Coordinator
of Greek Life, Panhellenic Advisor, and NPHC Advisor.
- Office Student Assistants - answer phones, sort mail, type memos, letters and documents,
assist clerk III.
h. Primary Obstacles
- Military history and tradition of Texas A&M
- Lack of focus on the "big picture" – no concrete plan for the future of
Greek organizations at Texas A&M
- Other campus groups (Aggie Men’s Club, Ol’ Ags) provide fraternity-like
experiences and sell values sought by students without the costs associated with
fraternities.
- Risk management
- IFC chapters – too many groups of different sizes; low turnout for Rush
- NPC chapters – too few groups to accommodate number of women who wish to
participate
- NPHC chapters– low numbers make it difficult to attract new members
- Issues of trust with alumnae advisors – fear of university control
- Lack of involvement in chapter affairs by national / international headquarters
- Lack of student and advisor belief in educational programming
- Students feel over programmed
- Three Greek councils have offices in a separate building – makes interaction
between staff and students difficult.
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