Strategies to Overcome Negative Effects of F/S Membership On College Experiences & Outcomes

I was looking through the special anniversary issue of Oracle: The Research Journal of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, and found an article called "The Effects of Fraternity/Sorority Membership on College Experiences & Outcomes" by Asel, Seifert, & Pascarella.

Although the study was originally published in 2009, it contained some interesting findings that I want to include in my practice.

1. Develop a Long-Term Academic & Developmental Model

Tips from the article:

• Work with scholarship chairs to fully engage organizations in areas such as encouraging members to attend campus presentations of faculty research and organize a post-event discussion.

• Membership in a fraternity or sorority had a modest negative relationship with semester grades compared to non-affiliated students; therefore, broader academic goals should be developed in order to best serve the overall community.

My list of strategies:

• Utilize the course work in the freshmen orientation courses I'm currently teaching (e.g., skills and attitudes associated with student success in college).

• Research academic success and advising theories. I have a few in my wish list on Amazon--Academic Advising Approaches, which is suggested by my masters program, will be the first one I purchase!

• Find more resources about student development theories and research. I recently found a great article about community and community building to enhance learning.

• Develop an understanding of the F/S community's specific strengths and weaknesses in order to build a program compatible with the campus culture and needs. Then, I would like to meet with other functional areas, such as Academic Advising, Career Services, and any faculty coordinating events that present research on campus, in order to create a program model that incorporates campus programs already in place. Last, assess what needs are not being met, and find or develop programming to address them.

2. Encourage Engagement with Non-Greek Student Organizations

Tips from the article:

• In order to alleviate the normative social and racial parameters around social engagement during college, student affairs professionals may choose to educate chapter officers (new member educators were specifically named) about the importance of diversity. In an interdependent, global society, intercultural effectiveness is a key competency for success.

• Provide incentives for collaborating with student organization, encourage intergroup dialogues and interactions, and fostering interactions with diverse peers.

My list of strategies:

• Students should understand their own barriers to diversity; therefore, it would be helpful to provide a self-assessment for students. This will also provide the office with a pre-assessment in order to determine the best course of action for a diversity-based program. In my classes, I have used this worksheet to help students begin thinking about themselves and how to approach others that are different.

• If there is a diversity and inclusion department on campus, creating create incentives for members to participate in its programs.

• Research, of course, will be utilized. I love Multiculturalism on Campus: Theory, Models, and Practices for Understanding Diversity & Creating Inclusion as well as Creating Multicultural Change on Campus. I have "Developing Socially Responsible Leadership & Social Perspective-Taking in F&S: Findings from a National Study" from the Oracle Research Journal bookmarked to read as well.

• I think that it also is important to have members thinking about diversity during recruitment. I have thought about this a lot in my course assignments, and you can see one model in this document.

3. Coordinate with Alumni and Active Members to Address Alcohol Abuse

Tips from the article:

• Educate alumni and undergraduate active members about the alcohol culture within fraternities and sororities, such as the increased likelihood of binge drinking, and encourage chapters to make necessary changes to increase the health of their members.

My list of strategies:

• Take an inventory of the current alcohol education from each organization as well as the education provided by the F/S office and the campus itself. How do organizations respond when a violation or unsafe situation takes place? What is the campus culture's attitude of alcohol? The F/S community's?

• Some articles I have in my reading list include "White Boy Wasted: Compensatory Masculinities in Fraternity Alcohol Use," by Pietro Sasso, and "Love Them or Leave Them: How to Engage your Alumni Advisors," by Kristen Wing.

• Partner with the health center and campus police to create an engaging educational program for members that discusses the increased risks associated with alcohol in relation to health and safety, how to identify alcohol poisoning and the steps to respond, as well as encouraging students to step in when they know a member is entering an unsafe situation.

• A method of accountability also needs to be established in order to ensure the safety and success of F/S members. This should be developed with the institutional mission, goals, and policies in mind as well as in collaboration with advisors and chapter members.

These are not the only issues that Fraternities & Sororities face, and each institution's community has its own culture in relation to these topics. One lesson I have learned is that constantly assessing the needs of the community and working towards the success of all Fraternity/Sorority chapters are essential components to success for advisors. If we know what kind of support should be given, then we are more likely to be effective in our practice.