Fraternity & Sorority Life External Review
August 23, 2019
Dear Friends and Colleagues of the Fraternity and Sorority Community:
On behalf of Chancellor Blank and myself, the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Student Affairs is committed to strengthening Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) as evidenced by the initiation of an External Review process in the spring of 2019. By working with external experts in the field, we had 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 strong 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 sisterhood/brotherhood.
I appreciate the work of many who have taken their time to contribute to the External Review process. The engagement of students, alumni, advisors and campus partners leave me encouraged and appreciative of the breadth of support for this important community. I am writing to provide an update and next steps on the report submitted by the External Review Team. I am excited by the opportunity to share this report with the broader Fraternity and Sorority community and collaborate on a shared vision.
The report highlights complex challenges related to student safety, sexual assault, alcohol use, inclusion, and mental health. While these social issues exist across our campus and society, the fraternity and sorority community is uniquely vulnerable due to its scope, structure, and aspects of culture. This community of fraternity and sorority leaders is also uniquely positioned to engage in necessary social change that will elevate fraternity and sorority life and, in turn, UW-Madison. I have the greatest respect for our student leaders and I know they will rise to this challenge.
A few action steps have already been taken that I want to share with you. First, a special session was offered at Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR) led by our FSL staff to talk about opportunities in fraternities and sororities and answer any parent or new student questions. This is the first time this has been offered, was well received by participants, and demonstrates our commitment to promoting this opportunity to all new students.
Secondly, during my first year and through this external review, we heard concerns about the Committee on Student Organizations (CSO) Processes. I want to acknowledge the valuable work our staff and students have done in this area. We have decided to move this process from being managed by the Center for Leadership & Involvement (CfLI) to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (OSCCS) effective Fall 2019. This will allow for the professional staff in OSCCS to provide expertise in this area. We will continue to have students involved in this process and will communicate other changes as they are developed with new oversight.
Finally, our work to enhance our efforts to create a safe and excellent fraternity and sorority community is just beginning. We know continuing the work from the external review process will require additional leadership and support. We have asked Maggie Hayes to lead our next steps on the external review process and we are providing additional staffing in FSL for this year to allow this to happen. We have great respect and confidence in the work Maggie, Sarah and the FSL team has done and will do to take us to the next level. In addition, I have asked Maggie to collect benchmark data from other Big Ten Schools and similarly sized FSL communities across the country. Using that data and then analyzing the required support needed to move the initial report priorities forward, a recommendation for future staffing levels, financial and program support of the community as well as a possible funding mechanism in support of their recommendation will be submitted.
As stated from the beginning, a primary value guiding this process is transparency. We will continue to involve all voices in the process and share information on our website: https://fsl.wisc.edu/external-review/. The next step is to host listening sessions to provide feedback on the report and our priority areas.
We hope you will work with us to create the most meaningful and safest experience for our fraternity and sorority members. On, Wisconsin!
Sincerely,
Lori Reesor, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
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Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Charge
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.
Purpose
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.
External Review Team
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.
External Review Project Advisors
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
Project Scope
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.
Process
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.
Schedule & Timeline
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
Communication Plan
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.
Project Outcomes
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.
FAQs
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
Support
"The UW-Madison Panhellenic community is excited to continue to grow in size and in excellence for many years to come. In order to set ourselves up to achieve this long-lasting success, however, it is crucial to reflect upon both the strengths we possess and the areas in which we can improve. It is for this reason that I am excited for the announcement of this review - it will provide our community with an ability to look comprehensively and critically at ourselves so that we may continue to achieve our goals and ambitions as women and men in Fraternity & Sorority Life"
Katie Paxon, Panhellenic Association President
"I fully support the charge for an external review of the entire FSL Community. It will give our institutional leadership the awareness of the issues the community is having on a systematic and community-wide level, and this review could show where and what improvements could be made to give our students the ability to thrive as Greek leaders on this campus. With a community of 4,000+ students, this is a powerful number that can create lasting change on this campus if provided with the tools to do so."
Ace Hilliard, BS 2014, MS 2018, Sigma Lambda Gamma Sorority, Inc.
“I commend UW–Madison and the current leaders of UW fraternities and sororities for working together and taking this proactive step. I’m confident it will help the fraternity and sorority community remain a strong, vital, positive part of campus for years to come.”
Michael Shannon BBA 1980, Theta Chi Fraternity
"As one of the largest student organizations on campus here at UW-Madison, it is essential that we are continuously working to build a safer and more inclusive community for all. Thus, the reason I support this review is that it will allow us to identify where our community's strengths are and where there is room for improvement. I am confident that the findings from this review will provide beneficial insight and a strong foundation for Fraternity and Sorority Life to thrive at UW-Madison for years come."
Joey Levin, Interfraternity Council President
Questions?
Contact advisor@greeklife.wisc.edu