UA TASK FORCE FOR THE ENHANCEMENT OF GREEK LIFE MAKES RECOMMENDATIONS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Task Force for the Enhancement of Greek Life at the University of Arkansas, appointed by Chancellor John A. White in April, released today a draft of recommendations still under discussion.

Chancellor White appointed the Task Force to serve as a sounding board regarding specific enhancement to Greek Life dealing primarily with the men’s fraternity system. His charge to the group was to develop a series of recommendations that would have a positive impact on Greek Life at the University.

The Task Force has met four times with a final meeting scheduled for early October. A sub-committee of the Task Force drafted the initial recommendations that were discussed at the Task Force meeting on September 10. The Task Force hopes that final recommendations will go to the Chancellor in early October.

The Task Force is chaired by Dr. G. David Gearhart, vice chancellor for University Advancement.

"We are delighted with the progress we are making on the recommendations to Chancellor White," Gearhart said. "This has been a lengthy process that has involved input from many persons interested in our Greek Life program. We hope that once the recommendations have been finalized, they will serve as a catalyst to improve Greek Life across the board at the University of Arkansas. The University administration believes in a strong Greek Life program, and the whole purpose of the Task Force is to bolster the program for the future."

The Task Force consists of fraternity representatives, as well as individuals representing other official University groups and organizations, including the UA Board of Trustees, the National Development Council, and the Arkansas Alumni Association (a list of Task Force membership is attached).

"This has been a collaborative process where we have searched for recommendations that will help our Greek program to thrive in the years ahead," said Gary George, chief executive officer of George's Incorporated and a UA trustee, who has also served on the Task Force. "I particularly want to compliment the presidents of the fraternity chapters who have worked alongside alumni and the University administrators to come up with these recommendations."

The specific Task Force goals are as follows:

. Academic Achievement

We envision organizations that support and encourage individuals to achieve their personal academic best while collectively achieving an overall Greek grade-point average that consistently exceeds the all-undergraduate average.

. Organizational Growth

We envision recruitment based on quality while maintaining retention through campus involvement.

We envision leadership learning opportunities that complement and enhance the student experience.

We envision chapters that responsibly self-manage their house operations while receiving guidance and support from advisors and the University where necessary. If self-management is not desired, we envision chapters turning over this responsibility for house operations to the University on a contractual basis.

We envision a safe and healthy organizational environment in which individuals exhibit responsible behavior while maintaining healthy surroundings.

. Chapter Environment

We envision a Greek community that recognizes that all individuals and ideas have value, including the non-Greek community.

We envision clean, safe, and adequate housing that would be acceptable to family or guests 24 hours a day and that would support the academic mission of the University.

We envision that each chapter with a facility will have a trained live-in house director or manager and that each house will work toward that goal in the short term rather than long term.

We envision a chapter that respects the laws of the State of Arkansas and the University with respect to alcohol and substance abuse.

We envision a Greek community that focuses on building University and Greek loyalty.

. A Connected Community

We envision a strong, connected Greek community that views the whole as greater than the individual parts.

We envision a Greek community in which communication, partnership, and interaction are valued while respecting differences among needs and goals of various houses.

. University Relationship

We envision the development of a plan that brings all appropriate University resources to bear in supporting the successful and ongoing growth of the Greek community.

In order to help the Greek community reach these goals, the Task Force for the Enhancement of Greek Life has drafted 20 recommendations that will ultimately be submitted to Chancellor White for his review.

They are as follows:

• Recommendation 1 - Membership Recruitment
• Recommendation 2 - Chapter Standards
• Recommendation 3 - Social Standards
• Recommendation 4 - Recruitment Rules
• Recommendation 5 - Rush Structure
• Recommendation 6 - Conduct Responsibility
• Recommendation 7 - Hazing
• Recommendation 8 - Chancellor’s Scholarships
• Recommendation 9 - House Director
• Recommendation 10 - Chapter House Standards
• Recommendation 11 - Option for University Chapter House Management
• Recommendation 12 - Role and Duties of Chapter Advisor
• Recommendation 13 - Custodial Services
• Recommendation 14 - Income Tax Deductibility
• Recommendation 15 - Bonds for Renovation
• Recommendation 16 - Summer Occupancy
• Recommendation 17 - University Ownership
• Recommendation 18 - University Support
• Recommendation 19 - Compliance
• Recommendation 20 - Implementation

"The recommendations that are under discussion will have a positive impact on our Greek community, particularly the men’s fraternity system," said Scott Walter, director of Greek Life Operations. "The recommendations are designed to assist the Greek chapters and support them in all of their activities. I am delighted to have had the opportunity to work on the Task Force and to benefit from the expertise of the University’s alumni and friends, as well as from the students who have helped to formulate these important recommendations."