What is Student Activities?

Student activities is a broad range of programs and

services to students. It provides a way for students to
become involved and engaged in campus life outside
of the classroom.
 Interview
•  Andrea Sims- Assistant Dean College of the Arts

•  Assistant Deans provide an environment that is conducive to

academic and personal growth. Facilitate learning by providing out
of classroom experiences that compliment the academic culture.
 Goals of a Student Activities Program

Enhance Educational experience outside of the

classroom. Various activities should complement
classroom learning. Should provide exposure to and
participation in social, cultural, and multicultural,
intellectual, recreational, community service, and
campus governance.

CAS Standards
 Why Student Activities are Important
•  Students involved in activities are less likely to drop out than students who
are not involved.
•  Activities encourage involvement which results in a  stronger learning
community
•  Students who are socially involved make gains in general knowledge and
intellectual skills and tend to be more satisfied with the college experience
•  Promote effective communication and students become active learners.
•  Students relate and connect to faculty
•  Students network with outside organizations for benefit after college.

*Source: Komives, S. R., Woodward, D. B. Jr., & Associates. (2003). Student services: A handbook for the profession. San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass.

*Source: Hamrick, F. A., Evans, N. J., & Schuh, J. H. (2002). Foundations of student affairs: How philosophy, theory, and research
strengthen educational outcomes. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
 A Brief History of Student Activities

•  1823 Oxford Union

•  First noted formal campus organizations established to
bring students together (primarily to debate issues of the
day).

•  1636 – 1776 Colonial Period

•  No extracurricular activities; what they did have was
faculty regulated.
•  Lack of student activities may have been one of the
causes to the student riots

*Source: Komives, S. R., Woodward, D. B. Jr., & Associates. (2003). Student services: A handbook for the profession. San
Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
 History (cont.)

•  New National 1776 – 1880

•  Historians view the rise of literary societies,
debating clubs, and service groups as the
foundations of lasting change in higher ed.
•  Students began to exert great influence and
determined what values and activities would
be emphasized.
•  College officials feared activities that departed
from the formal curriculum. Even attempted to
derail them. This bonded students.
 Functional Areas

•  Cultural programs  •  Government

•  Multicultural center x •  Associated Students
•  Cultural and Heritage Celebrations/ •  Inter-Club Council
Awareness •  Committees
•  Film Festivals                        •   Campus Entertainment    
•  Student Clubs and Organizations  •  Dances
•  Philosophy club •  Movies
•  Black Women in Psychology •  Special events                   
•  Campus Crusade for Christ
•  Lacrosse Club            
 Functional Areas (cont.)

•  Leadership Programs •  Off Campus Trips

•  Workshops and seminars •  Study abroad
•  Leadership with a club or •  Sevice learning
organization  •  Faith based trips

•  Athletics
•  NCAA
•  NAIA
•  Intramural
•  Extramural
•  Wellness fairs
 Obstacles and Challenges
•  The in classroom demands of college students may inflict on the ability of
students to participate in activities out of class.

•  Off campus demands of students do not let them participate in campus

activities. 

•  Commuter students are less likely to become involved than residential

students.

•  First generation college students are less likely to be involved in

extracurricular activities.

*Source: Astin, A.W. Student involvement: A development theory for higher education. Retrieved from http://
www.middlesex.mass.edu/TutoringServices/AstinInvolvement.pdf
 Current Issues in Student Activities

•  Many students do not have time to get involved with academic work
and other demands.

•  Students are getting involved in many programs closely related to their

chosen field of study for networking, employment opportunities, and
exposure to new ideas.

•  Faculty highly encourage participation in departmental clubs and

programs such as math club, Art appreciation, and philosophy club.

•  Many faculty question students intentions and seriousness for

academics if devoting time to such clubs as the Harry Potter Book club.

•  Driven by student needs

Greek Affairs
 Before we begin…

When you hear the words, “fraternity”

and “sorority,” what thoughts come
to mind?
What is Greek Affairs?
 What is Greek Affairs?
•  Corresponds to the office or department responsible for
all campus-affiliated fraternity and sorority membership
organizations
–  Does not include honor societies and business fraternities
• Ex. Psi Chi - ΨΧ - Honors Society for Psychology
• Ex. Delta Sigma Pi - DSP - National Business Fraternity
*Source: www.alphachiomega.org/about_axo/glossary_terms.asp

•  Exists out of partnership between host institution and

private not-for-profit organization
–  Students form the basis of partnership because of their
affiliation to both entities
What is Greek Affairs? (cont.)

CSUF

VP-Student Affairs

Student Life Dean of Students Office Inter/National

Conference/Council

Leadership & Multicultural

Greek Organization
Development Program

Organization's Organization's
Greek Life
Headquarters Board of Directors

Greek Councils
 What is Greek Affairs? (cont.)
•  The make-up of Fraternities and Sororities
–  Inter/National
• Professional Headquarters Staff
• Chapters across the U.S. and Canada
• Private 501(c)(3) corporations
–  Organized exclusively for educational purposes
• Many adhere to FIPG guidelines for Risk
Management
–  Fraternal Information & Programming Group
–  Local
• Only one chapter of its kind
• Not bound by same rules as inter/national groups
 What is Greek Affairs? (cont.)
•  Governing Bodies
–  North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC)

–  National Panhellenic Conference

–  National Pan-Hellenic Council

–  National Multicultural Greek Council

 What is Greek Affairs? (cont.)
•  Professional Associations
–  Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA)
•  Support and assist fraternity and sorority advisors
–  College Fraternity Editors Association (CFEA)
•  Professional fraternity and sorority communicators
–  Web design, publication development, apparel
–  Fraternity Executives Association (FEA)
•  Executives of Greek organizations’ headquarters staff
•  Programming
–  Interfraternal Institute (IFI)
–  Undergraduate Interfraternal Institute (UIFI)
–  IMPACT
•  A campus leadership institute designed to help fraternity and sorority
communities establish an agenda for their future and attain great success.
IMPACT is designed to foster improved relationships among campus
leaders through an intensive, interactive two and one half day program.
The IMPACT curriculum emphasizes problem solving, leadership
development, values-based decision making, effective communication,
and community development.
*Source: www.NICIndy.org
 Goals and Objectives

•  To grow personally and collectively in the areas of…

–  Moral and social development
–  Academic interest
–  Civic Engagement
–  Leadership

*Source: Katz, N. (2009). Mission statement. Greek Life. Fullerton, CA: Author
 Brief History and Overview
•  “Fraternity” and “Sorority”
–  Stem from Latin words, “frater” (brother) and
“soror” (sister)

•  Over 800 campuses participate in Greek Life

•  750,00 Undergraduate members in 12,000
chapters
•  Annually contribute over 850,000 hours of
community service while also raising over $7
million for charity
•  Over 9 million members nationwide
*Source: George Washington University. (2007). Greek speak. Retrieved on April 1, 2009 from http://studentorgs.gwu.edu/greekspeak/
extras/nationalstatistics/
 Brief History (cont.)
•  Phi Beta Kappa - FBK
–  Founded in 1776 at the College of William & Mary
–  First Greek-lettered organization
–  Honor society for liberal arts and sciences
*Source: http://www.pbk.org/infoview/PBK_InfoView.aspx?t=&id=8

•  Kappa Alpha Society - KA

–  Founded in 1825 at Union College
–  First secret fraternal organization
–  Initially founded as literary society
*Source: http://www.ka.org
 Brief History (cont.)

•  Delta Upsilon - DU
–  Founded in 1834 at Williams College
–  First non-secret fraternity
• No secret handshake and no secret ritual
*Source: http://www.deltau.org

•  Alpha Delta Pi - ADP

–  Founded in 1851 at Wesleyan College
–  Original name: The Adelphean Society
–  First Secret Society for Women
*Source: http://www.alphadeltapi.org/contentmanager/page.asp?webpageid=1
 Brief History (cont.)
•  Pi Beta Phi - PBF
–  Founded in 1867 at Monmouth College
–  Original Name: I.C. Sorosis
–  First Fraternity for Women
*Source: http://www.pibetaphi.org

•  Kappa Alpha Theta - KAQ

–  Founded in 1870 at DePauw University
–  First Greek-lettered Women’s fraternity
–  Notable Alum: Nancy Kassebaum
• First Female U.S. Senator to Win by Vote
*Source: http://www.kappaalphatheta.org
 Brief History (cont.)
•  Gamma Phi Beta - GFB
–  Founded in 1874 at Syracuse University
–  Recognized as First “Sorority”
*Source: Gamma Phi Beta website - http://www.gammaphibeta.org

•  Pi Lambda Phi - PLF

–  Founded in 1895 at Yale University
–  First Non-Sectarian Fraternity
*Source: Pi Lambda Phi website - http://www.pilambdaphi.org

•  Phi Sigma Sigma - FSS

–  Founded in 1913 at Hunter College
–  First Non-Sectarian Sorority
*Source: Phi Sigma Sigma website - http://www.phisigmasigma.org
 Greeks That Just Might Surprise You

Brad Pitt Condoleezza Rice Martin Luther King Jr.

Sigma Chi - SC Alpha Chi Omega - ACW Alpha Phi Alpha - AFA

Jason Lewis Cheech Marin Kate Capshaw

Delta Upsilon - DU Phi Sigma Kappa - FSK Alpha Delta Pi - ADP
 Greeks That Just Might Surprise You (cont.)

Rosa Parks Kevin Costner Sean “Diddy” Combs

Alpha Kappa Alpha - AKA Delta Chi - DC Kappa Delta Rho - KDR

Mark Zuckerberg Lucy Liu Carrie Underwood

Alpha Epsilon Pi - AEP Chi Omega - CW Sigma Sigma Sigma - SSS
 Functional Area of Greek Affairs
•  Serve as…
–  Support staff for students
–  Educators in Risk Management
–  Liaisons to University and
surrounding community
•  Provide opportunities for
–  Social development
–  Networking
–  Advancement
Nicholas Katz –  Community Service
Coordinator for Greek Life
–  Educational engagement outside
nkatz@exchange.fullerton.edu
the classroom
 Current Issues

•  Local Fraternities and Sororities

–  Not held to any organizational standards
•  Unrecognized Fraternities
•  Negative Image by faculty, students, and
community
–  15% of students adamantly opposed*
*Source: Mattson. M., & Orendi. J. (2006). Good guys: The eight steps to limitless possibility for fraternity recruitment,
75. Naperville, IL: Phired Up Productions
 Current Issues (cont.)
•  Hazing
–  387 B.C.E - First hazing incident
• Plato commented on the savagery of young boys he
observed. Fraternity historian Frederick Kershner
considered Plato’s observations perhaps the earliest
account of hazing-like behaviors

–  1657 - Two Harvard College students pay small fines

for hazing John Cotton and John Whiting.
• If student was expelled, repenting would guarantee
readmittance
*Source: Nuwer, H. (2007). Hazing chronology. Retrieved on April 10, 2009 from http://hazing.hanknuwer.com/
hazingchronology.html
 Current Issues (cont.)
•  Hazing (cont.)
–  Chico State University, 2005
• Matthew Carrington
–  Matt’s Law
»  Unaffiliated fraternities now punishable for hazing

–  Rider University, 2007

• Gary DeVercelly

• Administrators charged with “aggravated hazing”

–  First time university administrators ever charged

*Source: http://www.insidehazing.com/matts_law.php
*Source: Hank Nuwer Hazing Blog - http://www.hanknuwer.com/blog
 Current Issues (cont.)
• Drug & Alcohol Abuse
–  Douglas Runing DeWitt, 1983-2004
 Current Issues (cont.)
•  Drug & Alcohol Abuse (cont.)

Samantha Spady
1985-2004

Jenny Poliakoff
1987-2007
 Special Obstacles
•  Sorority lack of accountability
–  Gives fraternities bad image
•  Overcoming Stereotypes
–  “Drink and party 24/7”
–  “Frat boys”
• Ex. Animal House, Old School
–  Proving to the public that it is serious
•  Pressure from Alumni Board
•  Year-round Recruitment
–  Parental approval
•  Institutional and organizational adherence
 What the Public Doesn’t See
•  Community service
•  Study hours
•  Commitment to values-based ethics
•  Young people helping young people
What the Public Doesn’t See (cont.)
•  Organizational development at individual level
•  Leadership development
•  Administrative responsibilities
•  Application of classroom learning in real-life situations
 Funding Sources

Dr. Palmer
VP-Student Affairs

Kandi Mink Salas

Dean of Students

Juanita Razo
Student Activity Fee
Asst. Dean of Students

Associated Students, Inc. Nicholas Katz

Chapter Membership Dues
Coordinator for Greek Life

4 Greek Councils
 Student Development Theory
•  Psychosocial - Understanding what students will be concerned about
will provide insights into what activities to support and encourage.
Sanfords challenge and support becomes central to out of class activities.
•  Cognitive - Many students are transitioning from Kegan's second to
third order of consciousness. Programs that help students subordinate
ones own good to the whole will provide a platform to move through
cognitive development.
•  Identity Development - A particular challenge for unrepresented
groups is identity development. Campus clubs that focus on
underrepresented groups will help develop positive identity development
amidst a dominate white culture.
•  Typologies - Differentiating programs to meet all typologies and make
all students feel important and valued based on personality. Introverts will
appreciate different programs than extroverts.
 Best Resource Website
Answers to the
most FAQs of
Greek Life,
Illinois State
University’s
website -
www.ilstu.edu
 Special Message

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExKc4ZZtPbI
 Any Questions?

Feel free to ask anything that is on

your mind…