External Review

Since 1857, the fraternity and sorority community at UW–Madison has enhanced the student experience, given back locally and nationally through philanthropic efforts, and created lasting friendships.  We appreciate the many contributions individuals and chapters have made to UW–Madison.  We also know that, nationally and locally, challenges remain in the areas of student safety and wellbeing.  Many new initiatives and best practices have occurred nationally to enhance the support and positive contributions of these communities.

We are proud to have four councils overseeing fraternities and sororities at UW–Madison:  Interfraternity Council (IFC), Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), National Panhellenic Council (NPHC), and Panhellenic Association (PHA).  These groups oversee 60 chapters supporting 4,500 student members.  While there are similarities among the four groups in terms of commitment to scholarship, service, and brotherhood/sisterhood, they also have unique attributes and processes.  We are proud of the many contributions of these student organizations and yet we know we can do better and increase the safety of our students.

Therefore, I have requested a review of our fraternity/sorority community occur by hiring a team of national experts in fraternity/sorority life to do a review of our organizations.

This external review is a proactive approach to assessing, clarifying, and strengthening the relationship between the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the fraternity and sorority community.  By working with external experts in the field, we have the opportunity to explore specific areas of the community and our students’ experiences, to set shared priorities, and determine next steps to ensure we continue to have a healthy and productive partnership. Our shared goal is for students to be healthy and safe and for fraternities and sororities to contribute positively to the campus community through their shared values of scholarship, leadership, service and brotherhood/sisterhood.

In preparation for this review, UW–Madison’s Fraternity & Sorority Life (FSL) staff team consulted with Big Ten and industry peers for guidance in an effort to ensure that the review meets our intended purpose.  This document contains information that will help inform the review process.

The task of the external review team is to develop trust and gather accurate and in-depth information.  A review team of 5 individuals, each holding membership in an organization that is part of our four governing councils (IFC, MGC, NPHC, PHA), will be charged to build trust and rapport with our students and generate a detailed report that meets our needs.  The team of five will include a team lead responsible for submitting the final reports.

Team Lead: Dr. Laura Osteen
Laura Osteen serves as the Director of the Florida State University’s Center for Leadership & Social Change.  The Center is a campus-wide endeavor to transform lives through leadership education, identity development, and community engagement. In addition, Laura teaches in the Undergraduate Leadership Studies Program and writes with her colleagues on the Culturally Relevant Leadership Learning Model and the Leadership Identity Development Model. Laura envisions a world where everyone is enabled and empowered to create positive sustainable change in their community. Laura received her doctorate of philosophy degree from the University of Maryland – College Park in the field of College Student Personnel with an emphasis in leadership and organizational change and is a member of Alpha Delta Pi.

IFC Team Member: Kurt Foriska
Kurt Foriska works as the Director of Development for the Office of Student Life at The Ohio State University, where he gains support for programs and services through fundraising efforts. He began his career at Ohio State in 2003 as coordinator of Sorority and Fraternity Life, and has held various positions in Student Activities, the Ohio Union, and Recreational Sports. He holds a BS in biology from Allegheny College, an MA in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University, and an MBA from The Ohio State University.  Kurt is a member of Delta Tau Delta.

MGC Team Member: Sam Centellas
Sam Centellas crossed into Sigma Lambda Beta at Western Michigan University. He was a charter member of his chapter and went on to help start a chapter at Grand Valley State University while getting his master’s degree in College Student Affairs.  Sam has served on the National Board of Directors for Gamma Sigma Alpha in Los Angeles, the Western Region Greek Association in San Francisco, and his own fraternity, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc. in Iowa City and was a founding Board Member of the National Hazing Prevention Organization the organizers of National Hazing Prevention Week. Sam’s “real” job is Executive Director and CEO of La Casa de Amistad a Latino Youth and Community Center on the West Side of South Bend.

NPHC Team Member: Jennifer Jones
Ms. Jennifer M. Jones received her BA in Sociology and a Master of Liberal Arts from Southern Methodist University. She became a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. at Prairie View A&M University, Prairie View, Texas, and is currently a member of Kappa Zeta Chapter, Dallas, Texas.  She is the Executive Director of Student Life at Southern Methodist University where she has been employed for the over 30 years, 16 of those years in various positions within Residence Life and Student Housing.  She also served as the as the SMU NPHC advisor for eight years and currently serves as the Advisor to the SMU Student Senate. She has served as National President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and served as the past National First Vice President of the National Pan-Hellenic Council and Regional Secretary for the Southwestern Region of NPHC. Jennifer has served in a number of national fraternal organizations including, but not limited to the Fraternity & Sorority Coalition Project, NASPA Knowledge Community, Circle of Sisterhood, Interfraternity Institute (IFI), and Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors.

PHA Team Member: Amy Vojta
Amy Vojta has worked at Rutgers University as the Associate Director of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs since 1996.  She has also worked at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio as the Assistant Director of Greek Affairs and at the University of Texas at Austin as the Panhellenic Advisor.

She is a graduate of Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.  At BG she joined Alpha Gamma Delta and later worked for the Fraternity as a Leadership Consultant.  For ten years she served as the Executive Director of the Northeast Greek Leadership Association, served two terms as the President of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisor and served as the Chairman for the AFA Foundation.  She is a current volunteer for the Central New Jersey Alumnae Panhellenic’s Scholarship Committee and the Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation.

The success of this review will be dictated, in part, by the support of a wide variety of fraternity and sorority stakeholders.  In an effort to ensure there is a shared direction for the review and an ability to build upon the review team’s final report, a group of project advisors will be generated.  This group will be comprised of FSL students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members.  Special attention will be given to generating a group that has varied fraternity and sorority experiences, including different roles, chapter sizes, social identities, and council membership.

This group will meet in advance of the external review team’s visit to campus to provide guidance on the process.  Additionally, the advisors will be asked for their feedback on how to proceed once the final report and recommendations are submitted.

IFC Representatives
Troy Blodgett, Sigma Alpha Epsilon
Joey Levin, Delta Upsilon
Tyler McCarthy, Phi Kappa Tau
Alan Udell, Delta Chi
Mike Wygocki, Phi Gamma Delta

MGC Representatives
Tito Diaz, Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.
Alberto Garcia, Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc.
Ace Hilliard, Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority, Inc.
Kacie Luo, Delta Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc.

NPHC Representatives
Stephanie Bradley – Wilson, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Torrie Briggs, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Kay-Jah Charles, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Joshua Graham, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Martinez White, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

PHA Representatives
Nicole Hemstad, Pi Beta Phi
Lu Maier, Delta Gamma
Katie Paxon, Alpha Chi Omega
Molly Philosophos, Kappa Kappa Gamma
Marissa Pinnola, Alpha Xi Delta 

UW – Madison Community Representatives
Abagail Catania, Student
Jerlando Jackson, Faculty
John Zumbrunnen, Faculty

Given the complexity of the fraternity and sorority community, a broad series of topic areas will be addressed to help generate a comprehensive review.  These areas of focus are listed in alphabetical order and may be expanded based on initial findings of the external consultant(s).   Each area will be explored across all four councils with specific areas of review identified within the descriptions below.

Accountability: Review existing discipline structures and processes, including the Committee on Student Organization, council based judicial efforts, and individual misconduct to determine effectiveness.

Diversity and Inclusion: Evaluate community climate (especially for traditionally underrepresented students), assess programming, and review institutional support.

Institutional Relationship: Explore role in FSL Housing (IFC, PHA), staff involvement in community (chapter hosted events, liability, etc.), and how self-governance plays a role within the community.

Membership Experience: Assess recruitment (IFC, PHA) and intake processes (MGC, NPHC), new member education, membership development efforts, leadership opportunities and academic engagement.

Resources and Support: Analyze current University advising and staffing structure, space, funding, programming and services that support the fraternity and sorority community.

Student Safety: Evaluate current strategies, programs and policies related to alcohol, other drugs, sexual violence, and hazing.

A thorough review process provides a unique opportunity to elicit and respond to a wide variety of stakeholders within the fraternity and sorority community.  To ensure a robust report that meets our intended purpose, the following groups will be included in this review process:

• Council officers
• Chapter officers
• Chapter Advisors
• General FSL members
• House corporation officers/house directors
• Alumni
• University and community partners

These constituents will be provided various engagement opportunities, including, but not limited to, focus groups, interviews, meetings, and surveys.  In addition, the general student body, City of Madison officials, and the general public will have the opportunity to engage in the process.

In advance of the site visit, the Fraternity & Sorority Life team at UW–Madison will gather and organize existing, relevant materials for the external consultant’s review.  These documents will relate specifically to the project’s scope, and will include the following:

• Campus Climate Survey
• Greek Alcohol Survey and Alcohol.Edu Survey
• Color of Drinking Survey
• AAU Campus Climate Survey (2015 and 2019)
• Membership #s & Chapter Breakdown
• Institutional Mission
• Division of Student Life and Division of Student Affairs Guiding Principles
• CfLI Mission & Vision, Staffing Model, etc.
• Listing of Current Programs and Services
• Grade Reports
• Commission on the Future of Fraternities & Sororities Reports (April 1989 & October 1999)

It is intended that the review meet both the needs of specific councils and inform the needs within the larger fraternity and sorority community.  As a result, the review team will provide council-specific questions based on the project scope identified in this document.  After compiling information from each council, the review team will provide both council-specific and community-wide reports.

The goal for this review is to engage with a sense of urgency while maintaining a commitment to being thorough.  To help meet that intention, the following timeline has been developed:

• January/February: Update FSL Stakeholders of Pending Review
• February/March: Project Advisors Initial Meeting
• March/April: External Review Team Campus Visit March 31- April 3Day One: Sunday, March 31
  2:30 – 3:30 pm PHA Executive Board & Chapter Presidents*
  3:30 – 4:30 pm IFC Executive Board & Chapter Presidents*
  4:45 – 5:30 pm MGC Chapter Advisors*
  5:30 – 6:15 pm NPHC Chapter Advisors*
  6:45 – 7:30 pm IFC Chapter Advisors*
  7:30 – 8:15 pm PHA Chapter Advisors*Day Two: Monday, April 1st
  10:00 – 10:45 pm Campus Partner Session*
  11:00 – 11:45 pm Campus Partner Session*
  2:30 – 3:15 pm Campus Partner Session*
  3:30 – 4:30 pm Open Session: University/Community – Session will take place in Memorial Union (Old Madison Room)
  4:45 – 5:45 pm Fraternity & Sorority Life Members
  5:45 – 6:45 pm House Corporation & House Directors*
  7:15 – 8:15 pm NPHC Executive Board & Chapter Presidents*Day Three: Tuesday, April 2nd
  10:00 – 10:45 am Campus Partner Session*
  11:00 – 11:45 am Campus Partner Session*
  2:30 – 3:15 pm Campus Partner Session*
  3:30 – 4:30 pm VCSA & Dean of Students*
  4:45 – 5:45 pm Past Chapter President/Council Officers*
  6:00 – 7:00 pm Fraternity & Sorority Life Alumni
  7:30 – 8:30 pm MGC Executive Board & Chapter Presidents*Day Four: Wednesday, April 3rd
  10:00 – 11:45 am Unrecognized Greek Groups**sessions are by invitation only and are closed to anyone that did not receive an invitation
• Early Summer: Final Report and Recommendations Submitted
• Fall: Share Report Outcomes & Action Planning

A primary principle guiding this review process is transparency.  At the onset of the spring semester, the Vice Chancellor and University staff members will be communicating with council and chapter leaders the purpose and tentative plan for the external review.  Additionally, key campus, community, and fraternity and sorority stakeholders will be notified.   These constituency groups will be provided with a formal opportunity for input during the review.

At the time of the public announcement resources will be provided via an informational website, including FAQs, for the broader campus and Madison community to be informed and remain engaged.

At the conclusion of this process, the external review team will provide a report that includes a current analysis of the fraternity and sorority community at UW–Madison and a set of prioritized recommendations.  The analysis and recommendations may focus on specific actions that can enhance relationships or address policies.  The reviewers will be provided a project scope while still maintaining enough autonomy to produce an accurate and helpful report.

The final report will be reviewed by senior University leadership and invested Fraternity & Sorority Life stakeholders – including the project advisors – to determine a structure and process that can advance the recommendations that have been identified.

Why did the university launch this review? As Vice Chancellor Reesor said in her message to the fraternity and sorority community, these chapters have been a vital part of our campus for more than 160 years and enhance the student experience through their commitment to scholarship, philanthropy, leadership development and the formation of lifelong friendships. While we know that many students have positive experiences, we also know that there are challenges nationally and at UWMadison. The review will help the university and chapters take advantage of best practices that are being developed nationally to enhance student safety. Is this review intended to suspend or shut down fraternities and sororities? No. The intent is to increase safety measures for our students and enhance our standards of excellence. Is this review in response to a particular incident? No. It is a proactive measure. Who are the review team members and how were they chosen? The review team members’ names and backgrounds will be shared on the website as soon as their participation is confirmed. They are being chosen based on their national expertise as higher education professionals with specific experience in fraternity and sorority life, encompassing all four councils that are represented at UW–Madison: Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Panhellenic Association. How can I as a student participate? There will be opportunities for students to participate through various means during the review team’s visit to campus in April. This will include options to submit feedback anonymously. I’m not a student – how can I participate? There will be opportunities for many constituent groups (including alumni, advisors, faculty, staff, and others) to participate through various means during the review team’s visit to campus in April. This will include options to submit feedback anonymously. Will the review team’s report be public? Yes. What are the expected outcomes? The review team will make recommendations based on national best practices and on the particular concerns and opportunities they discover on our campus. The recommendations will focus on accountability, diversity and inclusion, institutional relationships, membership experience, and resources and support. Next fall we will engage student leaders, advisors, and alumni to determine priorities and next steps of implementation. This part of the outcomes will also be shared once determined. When will the review be completed? The report and recommendations are expected by early summer. Where can I direct questions? Email advisor@greeklife.wisc.edu