Date: January 17, 2020
From: Travis Apgar, Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students

It is my pleasure to write and provide you with an update on the progress that the Greek Life Initiatives Implementation Steering Committee and Project Teams have accomplished over the course of the fall semester.

On October 25 we hosted our first webinar update. Our second quarter Greek Life Review Implementation webinar update took place on December 20. We remain committed to providing quarterly updates via this platform.

The Greek Life Initiatives Implementation Steering Committee is charged with organizing project teams, developing strategies, and providing guidance and resources to accomplish the implementation of the nine initiatives which emanated from the Greek Life Review. The work of all involved, including President Jackson, the seven Institute Vice Presidents that make up the Executive Sponsor Group, the staff, faculty, and students serving as members of the Greek Life Initiatives Implementation Steering Committee (see Appendix 1), Project Teams (see Appendix 3), and alumni and inter/national representatives and liaisons have all invested significant resources, especially their time and talents in continued support of these efforts.

Much has been accomplished in our endeavor to lift up the Rensselaer Greek community to make it stronger and safer, and to perhaps serve as an exemplar for other collegiate communities around the country to emulate.

The Implementation Steering Committee and Project Team Leads have met regularly since September, utilizing most Wednesday afternoons to alternate between full group and small group sessions in order to maintain ongoing communication, advance each initiative, and to maximize community engagement. Appendix 2 outlines the pace of the schedule and the purpose and outcomes of each meeting. Each Project Team has committed to the successful completion of specific priorities, detailed in Appendix 3, which contains a full list of priorities and progress since the last update.

In preparation for the shift in the formal recruitment schedule for first-year students to the spring semester, Rensselaer continues to offer guidance and support resources to each organization, and to student and alumni community leaders, through our three-year partnership with the nationally recognized experts in the field of fraternity and sorority growth, Phired Up. This fall, Phired Up has hosted four on-campus and two online educational trainings for students and alumni on using best practices to recruit and retain the highest-quality members (see Appendix 4). Through these sessions, and individually scheduled consultations, Phired Up has conducted organization-specific recruitment strategy consultations with nearly all recognized fraternities and sororities, assisting them with the development of recruitment plans that align with our organization and Institute values and mission, and long-term plans for success through the recruitment of members dedicated to the purpose of the organization.

In addition to the support, guidance, and advising received from Rensselaer staff, each chapter has access to a Phired Up expert for ongoing consulting, progress review, and mentorship. To keep Panhellenic and Interfraternity recruitment well organized and well managed, Phired Up has also provided technology solutions including Chapter Builder and Campus Director.

Spring 2020 Recruitment Dates:

Sororities
Rensselaer Panhellenic Council Recruitment
January 23–26
Click to learn more

Fraternities
Rensselaer Interfraternity Council
January 17–February 14
Click to learn more

As we prepare for spring recruitment, it is important for you to know that there are 22 fraternities and five sororities currently recognized by Rensselaer that are operating in good standing and participating in recruitment and intake activities this spring. There are currently eight fraternities on suspension status that are not in good standing. The chapters on suspension are not permitted to participate in any activities, including the recruitment and intake of new members, nor can they house Rensselaer students.

Last month, I sent a communication to the parents of first-year students with information about the Rensselaer fraternity and sorority experience. I informed them that I encourage our students to look into the fraternity and sorority experience as there are many positive benefits and qualities, and I hope they would do the same.

Lastly, I want to convey our thanks to the students, staff, faculty, alumni/ae, and other stakeholders whose continued commitment to the student experience is making this progress possible. We appreciate you.

Sincerely,

Travis Apgar
Assistant Vice President for Student Life
and Dean of Students

 

APPENDIX 1:
Implementation Steering Committee Members

Travis Apgar, Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students - Chair
Vish Gopalakrishnan ‘20, Interfraternity Council President
Tori Gilroy ‘20, Panhellenic Council President
Jack Conlin ’20, Interfraternity Council Executive Vice President
Bryn Clarkson ’21, Panhellenic Council Executive Vice President
Meagan Lettko ’20, Grand Marshal
Caitlin Kennedy ’20, President of the Union
Jack Reilly, Professor, Engineering
Patricia Groeber, Associate Director, Department of Public Safety
Annette Chism, Director of Environmental Health and Safety & Risk Management
 
APPENDIX 2:
Progress Since September 1, 2019:

September 9 - Project Team Leads
Outcomes: Establish fall ’19 priorities and populate Project Teams

September 18 - Steering Committee
Outcomes: Review of fall priorities and strategic planning

October 2 - Steering Committee
Outcomes: Project Team progress review, feedback, and strategy

October 9 – Project Team Leads
Outcomes: Review accomplished objectives and support the strategic plan

October 16 - Steering Committee
Outcomes: Project Team progress review, feedback, and strategy

November 7 – Project Team Leads
Outcomes: Review accomplished objectives and support the strategic plan

November 7 – Executive Sponsor Group
Outcomes: Review of progress and ESG guidance and support

November 13 - Steering Committee
Outcomes: Project Team progress review, feedback, and strategy

December 4 - Project Team Leads
Outcomes: Review accomplished objectives and support strategic plan

December 11 - Steering Committee
Outcomes: Project Team progress review, feedback, and strategy

December 18 - Project Team Leads
Outcomes: Review fall ’19 accomplishments and webinar preparation
 
APPENDIX 3:
Fall ’19 Priorities

Project Team 1:
Leads:
Casey Jakubowski, Associate Director/Lecturer, Archer Center for Student Leadership Development
Graham Knowles, Associate Director/Lecturer, Archer Center for Student Leadership Development

Incorporate CLASS Goals and Practices into Greek Life
Fall ‘19 Priorities Completed

• Graduate Live-In Advisers background checks are being conducted
• Position descriptions, reporting expectations, eligibility criteria, and training requirements for Live-In Adviser positions are under stakeholder review
• Leadership transition and succession plans are under stakeholder review
• Expectations and responsibilities for chapter advisory roles are under stakeholder review

Intentional Emphasis on Diversity and Inclusion
Fall ’19 Priorities Completed

• Student Leaders and Director of Multicultural Programs worked to ensure all group operational documents align with the Institute’s commitment to inclusion
• Student leaders roll out plan to train all Greek students on unconscious bias (to be completed by February 15, 2020) and positioning to train all incoming students for Summer 2020

Project Team 2:
Lead:
Dr. Charlie Potts, Director of the Rensselaer Student Union

Develop New Transparent Scorecard
Fall ’19 Priorities Completed

• Overhaul of the current annual accreditation process (February ’20 deadline for draft)
• Layout and Rensselaer specific categories (January ’20 deadline for draft)

Strengthen Finances and Improve Health and Safety
Fall ’19 Priorities Completed

• Elevate facilities safety compliance through Student Life and Environment Health and Safety partnership
• Inventory of current financial best practices in use
• Buy-in for the Greek Commons Fund

 Project Team 3:
Lead:
Adrianna Bradt, Director of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Judicial Affairs

Create One Student Judicial System
Fall ’19 Priorities Completed

• Councils are updating their internal documents to accurately reflect the self-governance role of the Greek Judicial Board

Create Unified Greek Life Commons Policy Document
Fall ’19 Priorities Completed

• Final draft of the comprehensive document is under stakeholder review

 Project Team 4:
Lead:
John Lawler, Dean for Student Living and Learning

Mitigate High Risk Behaviors, Alcohol, and Substance Abuse
Fall ‘19 Priorities Completed

• Conducted Title IX training for Greek members – 65% of ALL members trained
• Continued monitoring of Alcohol and Other Drug Policy with Dean of Students, Greek Life Commons staff, Public Safety, and Troy Police
• Populate committee to review and examine initiation processes and eliminate
  hazing (stakeholder members being identified for spring ’20 launch)

Build Trust, Leadership, Integrity, and Accountability
Fall ’19 Priorities Completed

• Chapter visits and consultations with Interim Greek Dean, Dr. Wendy Neifeld Wheeler
• Search in progress for Associate Dean (conducted candidate campus interviews)
• Completed review of and updates for all position descriptions
• Search in progress for Assistant Deans

Establish Stronger Relationships through the Timing of Recruitment and Intake
Fall ’19 Priorities Completed

• Conducted multiple recruitment trainings for students and alumni/ae
• National experts, Phired Up providing ongoing strategic planning and coaching
•  Delivered trainings to fall ’19 new members

APPENDIX 4:
Fall ’19 Phired Up Consultant Visits

August 26-27
Best Practice Recruitment Strategies - Campus, Greek Life Forum

September 7
Recruitment Strategies & Technology (IFC) – Campus, 19 Chapters

September 7
Recruitment Strategies (Panhellenic) – Campus, four Chapters

October 27
Recruitment Training Live – Campus, one Chapter (Delta Tau Delta)

December 2
Recruitment Planning (IFC) – Remote, six Chapters

December 5
Campus Director Training (Panhellenic Advisers) – Remote, four Chapters

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Date:  October 25, 2019

Date: June 25, 2019
From: Peter A. Konwerski, Vice President for Student Life 

I am writing to provide an update on the work to enhance Greek Life at Rensselaer. The Executive Sponsor Group reviewed the report of the Greek Life Task Force and submitted their recommendations to President Shirley Ann Jackson.

President Jackson charged me to work with the Executive Sponsor Group to implement the approved recommendations. The implementation process will be multiphased and include specific work plans for each phase. The work plans will contain milestone dates, resource requirements, and staff assignments to ensure timely completion of the approved recommendations of the Greek Life Task Force. 

To assist me with the implementation, Mr. Travis Apgar, Assistant Vice President and Dean of Students, will immediately organize an internal implementation team, which will include several project teams, to develop strategies to accomplish the approved recommendations. The implementation team and project teams will be comprised of Rensselaer student leaders (Greek and non-Greek), faculty, and staff. My next update will include additional information about the work being accomplished by the implementation team and project teams. In addition, I will continue to share progress with, and gain input from, the leaders of the IFC, Panhellenic, and AIGC. 

As an additional point of reference, Dean Apgar and the Deans of the Greek Life Commons and I met with representatives of the North American Inter-Fraternity Conference, National Panhellenic Conference, and inter/national representatives of more than 16 Greek Letter organizations in Indianapolis, Indiana. We briefed the group on the approved recommendations and invited their collaboration. After a robust conversation, several organizations indicated their interest in supporting our current efforts and upcoming initiatives. 

Thank you to all of the members of the Rensselaer community who have been involved and contributed to the work of the Greek Life review over the past year. I look forward to sharing additional updates as we proceed with our implementation efforts throughout the coming year, as we all strive to enhance our Greek community.

Date: February 8, 2019 
From: The Greek Life Review Committee

Sent on behalf of LeNorman J. Strong, Chair, Greek Life Review Committee and Special Assistant to the President; John E. Kolb, Chair, Greek Life Task Force, and Vice President for Information Services and Technology/CIO; and Peter A. Konwerski, Vice President for Student Life.

We are writing to thank the Rensselaer community for nearly 170 responses to our call for public comments on the draft Greek Life Task Force Report and its recommendations. We noted, with particular appreciation, the responses that represent group collaboration and recommendations from Greek Life chapters.

A number of student leaders, including the Rensselaer Student Senate and several Greek Life officers, have requested an extension of the period of public comment. We have agreed to do so; the public comment period has been extended by one week; the new deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, February 15.

We appreciate those who opted to send us documents in order to better present their ideas. We want to assure you that documents that we receive outside of the textbox on the website are also given the fullest of consideration.

Thank you for your efforts to enhance Greek Life at Rensselaer.

Date: December 21, 2018 
From: LeNorman J. Strong, Interim Vice President for Student Life 

Throughout the fall semester, I have been paying specific attention to our Greek community's response to the efforts of the Greek Life Review, and compliance with the conditions put into place related to fraternity and sorority recruitment, rush, intake, and the presence of alcohol as detailed in the June 26, 2018 letter to the community. As the Greek Life Review Committee continues to finalize its work, I have carefully considered how these conditions should apply in 2019.

I have discussed the impact these conditions and restrictions may have had on the system during the fall 2018 semester with students, faculty, alumni, and staff. In particular, we paid careful attention to recruitment numbers and reports of displaced alcohol abuse. 

The Panhellenic Council saw an increase in cumulative recruitment numbers this semester as compared to previous years. On the other hand, while some fraternities achieved success in their recruitment goals, the cumulative recruitment numbers dropped for Interfraternity Council (IFC) groups. 

Three IFC fraternities were placed on emergency suspension status for alcohol-related violations: Pi Kappa Phi, Phi Gamma Delta a.k.a. FIJI, and Pi Kappa Alpha. Following the judicial inquiry phase of the Rensselaer Judicial Process, these fraternities were found to be responsible for the alleged violations.

The safety of our students will always be a top priority. Our interventions, by way of the restrictions placed on alcohol and other drugs, have resulted in a safer campus community. There was a 45 percent reduction in alcohol-related incidents this fall, compared to the fall 2017 semester. There was also a noticeable reduction in Title IX/Sexual Misconduct cases.

After thorough consideration of all factors, the following actions are being taken:

• The system-wide pause on all social events with alcohol will continue; 
• The system-wide ban on alcohol and other drugs from chapter houses and activities will continue;
• New member recruitment of all students may proceed in spring 2019, as planned by the IFC and Panhellenic Council.

Groups who take the risk of violating these restrictions are placing the future of their organizations in jeopardy of being shut down.  For those who have adapted and moved in a direction consistent with their organization's values, and the values of Rensselaer, I thank you. I also appreciate the guidance that has been offered by alumni, parents, and other chapter advisers, and advocates who have provided support to Greek Life organizations at Rensselaer. I'm looking forward to a safe and successful spring Greek Life recruitment.   

Date: November 6, 2018 
From: John E. Kolb, Vice President for Information Services and Technology and Chief Information Officer, and Le Norman J. Strong, Interim Vice President, Student Life 

We are pleased to provide you with an update concerning the Greek Life review.  

Both the Greek Life Task Force and the Greek Life Discussion Groups have been tackling a number of issues.  We have adopted three principal themes to guide our work:

1. Sustainability - How do we improve the long-term sustainability of the Greek system?
2. Community - How do we move from a Greek system to a community?
3. Citizenship - How do we promote good citizenship within the Greek community?

The review will focus on the following 10 areas:

1. Establishing strong relationships
2. Hard alcohol and substance abuse
3. Relationship of finances, behaviors, occupancy, health/safety
4. CLASS
5. Rensselaer student judicial system
6. Relationship Statement and Greek Commons Agreement
7. Develop scorecard that is transparent and public
8. Intentional emphasis on diversity and inclusion
9. Academics
10. The Arch

This weekend, November 9 - 11, we are pleased to host two panels of experts from other universities, and from national Greek organizations.  A select group of students, staff, faculty, and alumni leaders will be meeting with these individuals.

Friday, November 9, the representatives joining us from other universities are:

• Dr. Suzy Nelson, Vice President and Dean of Students, MIT
• Kara Miller McCarthy, Robert G. Engel Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life, Cornell University
• Steve Klass, Vice President, Campus Life, Williams College

Sunday, November 11, the national Greek representatives joining us are:

• Dr. Jamie Riley, Alpha Phi Alpha 
• Rob Riggs, Phi Kappa Theta 
• Bill Farkas, Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity 
• William Foran, North American Interfraternity Conference 
• Ashley Canty, North American Interfraternity Conference
• Mandi Wise Evans, Delta Zeta Sorority 
• Frances Mitchelson, National Panhellenic Conference 
• Troy Bartels, Alpha Phi
• Michael Carey, Delta Tau Delta

Our chapter presidents, members of the Alumni Inter-Greek Council, and a number of other student leaders were invited to join us for the panel presentations.

 

September 21, 2018 
From: John E. Kolb, Vice President for Information Services and Technology and Chief Information Officer and LeNorman J. Strong, Interim Vice President for Student Life

We are pleased to provide you with an update of some of the work of the Greek Life Task Force.  

We got off to a great start with the Greek Life Forum (August 27-28). There were many student and alumni leaders who participated during this two-day event. We will have a summary of the Forum activities that we will share in our next regular message.

The IFC and Panhellenic Council held a meeting with AVP and Dean of Students Travis Apgar and Dean Meredith Bielaska. A number of topics were discussed including scorecards, rush timing, etc.  

The Greek Life Task Force has met several times, including a meeting with President Jackson. It is clear there is much to do, within a tight timeframe. We are committed to working our way through the important issues that affect our community and submitting a draft report to President Jackson by the end of October. The three pillars we have adopted in guiding our recommendations include ensuring long-term sustainability, moving from a "system" to a "community," and supporting good citizenship. The Task Force is now finalizing a plan to guide the work going forward. We are also in the planning stage for the discussion group topics and times, as well as announcements about external speakers.

We encourage the community to visit the Greek Life Task Force website for periodic updates on our progress.

If you have any comments for the Task Force, please email them to GLTF@rpi.edu.  

Date: June 26, 2018
From: LeNorman J. Strong, Interim Vice President for Student Life

As you know, nationally, the Greek system is under public and legislative scrutiny and many institutions of higher education are facing challenges in their Greek communities. In light of documented trends that show problems in our Greek system, including an increasing number of incidents of alcohol abuse, illegal drug use, hazing, sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and acts of racial discrimination and bigotry, President Shirley Ann Jackson appointed me to lead a Greek Life Task Force. The task force will be comprised of student leaders (Greeks and non-Greeks), alumni/ae, parents, faculty, administrators, and representatives from the national offices of Greek organizations of which our chapters are members. The task force is charged with assessing the Rensselaer Greek Life system and working with the community to identify what is necessary to enact a long-term, sustainable, and comprehensive culture change to preserve the positive aspects of the Greek system.

On June 20, I related to the Rensselaer community initial conversations I had about the task force with the presidents of the Panhellenic Council and the Interfraternity Council, presidents from a number of our Greek Life chapters, Alumni Inter-Greek Council, and Greek chapter advisers. Our discussions were centered on three primary restrictions on Rensselaer Greek Life activities during the upcoming fall semester (pause on rush, pause on Greek Life social events with alcohol, and removal of alcohol and other drugs from Greek Life chapter houses and activities) and the data leading us to those restrictions. 

Since my June 20 communication, I've heard from numerous students, parents, alumni/ae, and friends of Rensselaer regarding the current state of Greek Life. Many members of our community applauded our commitment to strengthen Greek Life at Rensselaer through the formation of the task force. Many members of our community also expressed concern about the pause on rush for the fall semester and the impact it would have on the viability of some of our Greek Life chapters. I appreciate those who provided recommendations to help us achieve our goals of strengthening the Greek system while eradicating problem behaviors and facility concerns.

I've met with student and alumni/ae Greek leaders, my colleagues, and others to discuss the input being offered, and the nature of volunteer engagement being proposed by numerous students, alumni/ae, and parents. I thank the presidents of the Panhellenic Council and the Inter-Fraternity Council for their very thoughtful and comprehensive suggestions for improving the Rensselaer Greek Life system.

 Based on my conversations and the recommendations I received, combined with our analysis and consideration of additional information, I have modified my original restriction on rush activities. All rush, recruitment, and intake efforts will be paused from Saturday, August 18 to Thursday, October 18, as opposed to the full fall semester.

There are conditions upon which this modification is based, which shall stand while the Greek Life Task Force undertakes its work (please see below).  The system-wide pause on all Greek Life social events with alcohol and the removal of alcohol and other drugs from Greek Life chapter houses and activities remain in effect. All chapters are able to continue member and campus activities that are not related to the prohibited activities.

Once again, I appreciate the outpouring of feedback, productive recommendations, and offers of support from our students, alumni/ae, parents, staff, and faculty members. It is important that we continue this dialogue. Now is the time for us to unite in our support for enhancing Greek Life at Rensselaer so that it lives up to its commitments, and remains sustainable, building upon its 165-year tradition at Rensselaer.

MODIFIED RESTRICTIONS

1. All rush, recruitment, and intake efforts will be paused from Saturday, August 18 to Thursday, October 18.
2. A system-wide pause on all Greek Life social events with alcohol (unchanged).
3. The removal of alcohol and other drugs from Greek Life chapter houses and activities (unchanged).

From August 18 to October 18, no member recruitment, rush, and related intake efforts may take place. All chapters are able to continue member and campus activities that are not related to the prohibited activities. 

In order to resume rush, recruitment, and intake efforts on October 18, there are several conditions to which Greek Life chapters and members must adhere.

CONDITIONS FOR RUSH

1. Only chapters in "good standing" may participate in rush; judicial cases and the Greek Life Five Star assessment will be utilized to determine if a chapter is in good standing.
2. Chapters must adhere to a checklist of requirements that will be developed by the Greek Life Task Force in collaboration with the Deans of the Greek Life Commons and approved by the Dean of Students.
3. All Greek Life members, alumni/ae advisers, house corporation board members, and alumni/ae who will have any form of contact with students participating in rush must undergo an approved training program and be certified as having successfully completed the program.
4. Chapters who do not submit the required certification documents may not participate in rush.
5. Individual chapter members who complete the training program must sign an agreement indicating their participation in the training, and their agreement to adhere to the principles and guidelines governing their involvement in rush, recruitment, and intake activities.
6. Individual chapter members who do not complete the training, and/or who do not sign certification documents may not participate in any aspect of rush.
7. Any chapter found in violation of rush guidelines will be suspended for two (2) calendar years or six (6) semesters.