OFFICE OF
Greek
Life
2011 Annual Report
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Office of Greek Life Mission The Office of Greek Life is committed to a quality fraternal experience e ncompassing service, leadership, scholarship and personal development within a faith-based collegiate environment. Friends and Family of the Samford Greek C ommunity, The 2011 academic year was a banner one for the Samford Greek community. With r evitalized councils and newly created councils, our n umbers are growing. Academically, we are in the midst of a strong run with more than 40% of the Greek community securing places on the Dean’s List for four consecutive semesters. Our chapters’ legacy of service to others continues to be one of the strongest facets of our community. With those highlights in mind—and other community, chapter and individual success stories—the time has come for us to produce an end-of-year report. As you will see in these pages, we are moving in the right direction. Please join us in celebrating 2011, and know that 2012 will be even more successful with this continued work ethic. Interfraternally, Denny Bubrig Director of Greek Life
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Contents
Service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Leadership. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Scholarship. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Personal Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Recruitment and Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Public Relations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Awards. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Vision for the Future. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Where We Have Been. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Current Samford Chapters
Alpha Delta Pi Alpha Kappa Alpha Alpha Omicron Pi Alpha Phi Alpha Chi Omega Delta Sigma Theta Delta Xi Phi (colony)
Kappa Alpha Psi Phi Mu Pi Kappa Phi Sigma Chi Sigma Nu Zeta Tau Alpha
Samford Code of Values
We as the Samford University community affirm the value of a peaceful and purposeful community, founded on the moral and ethical integrity of students and faculty. We commit ourselves to the Christian values on which Samford University was founded. We expect that our commitment to mutual responsibility and a spirit of cooperation will create a community that is orderly, caring and just. The purpose of this statement is to affirm those basic principles that underlie the rights and responsibilities of the university community. Samford University values include: worth of the individual, self-discipline, integrity, respect for property and the environment and respect for community authority. 3
Service
Service Service lies at the heart of our Greek community. From money raised to hands on service, Samford Greeks strive to set a philanthropic example while brightening the days of beneficiaries and chapter members
Philanthropies by Chapter A∆π: Ronald McDonald House AKA: Sickle Cell Foundation Αoπ: Arthritis Research AΦA: Education and Building Foundations XΩ: Make-a-Wish Foundation ∆ΣΘ: 5 Programmatic Thrust Programs
KAΨ: Habitat for Humanity ΦM: Children’s Miracle Network πKΦ: Push America ΣX: Children’s Miracle Network ΣN: St. Jude’s Hospital ZTA: Breast Cancer Education and Awareness/Susan G. Komen
Pi Kappa Phi Spotlight
Pi Kappa Phi hosted a tournament between female organizations across campus called War of the Roses to raise money and awareness for Push America, an organization with the mission of helping people with disabilities. The tournament stretched across four days and included events such as penny wars, flag football, group performances and a date auction. The event raised awareness through an empathy dinner served in the cafeteria. War of Roses raised nearly $5,000 for Push America.
Sigma Chi Spotlight The brothers of Sigma Chi represented Samford as part of the tornado relief efforts after the devastating storms of April 27, 2011. The brothers organized water donations from local organizations around Birmingham and distributed the donations to Pleasant Grove, Ala., and Tuscaloosa, Ala. Sigma Chi distributed food and water to residents, volunteers and disaster-relief professionals throughout the impacted areas. 4
Zeta Tau Alpha Spotlight
Zeta Tau Alpha’s most popular philanthropy
event brings all the men of campus out to compete for a crown. Mr. Samford, a beauty pageant for men, raises money for breast cancer awareness. The contestants compete in various events, including formal and beach wear, talent and the dreaded final question. Sigma Chi‘s Ryan P. succeeded in wooing the judges for the Mr. Samford title. The event raised more than $5,000 in its first year.
Samford Greek Total Hours Donated: 26,280 Total Monetary Donations: $94,080 Sample of Organizations Benefitted by Samford Greeks • The Arthritis Foundation • Barrett Element • Big Oak Girls Ranch • Children’s Miracle Network • CROP • Dream Center • Habitat for Humanity
• Hannah’s Home • Hope Lodge • #HOPEWEEK • Jasper House • Jessie’s Place • Life South • Magic Moments • Push America • Relay for Life
• Ronald McDonald House • Sickle Cell Foundation • Southtown Community Center • Susan G. Komen • Tornado Relief • YWCA • The Zone
Alpha Kappa Alpha Spotlight
AKA partnered with Big Communications in Birmingham and Verizon Wireless to raise money and increase awareness for domestic violence during O ctober, Domestic Violence Awareness month. AKA participated in #HOPEWEEK, an initiative created by Verizon, by directing people to the #HOPEWEEK website where people can pledge support to domestic violence awareness. Chapters of AKA and Alpha Chi Omega around the state competed against each other to collect the most signatures. Samford’s Omicron Mu chapter won the competition and was awarded $2,500 that was donated to the SafeHouse of Shelby County. 5
Leadership
Leadership
Leadership, a pillar of all Greek organizations, is cultivated in our community inside and outside our respective houses.
Leaders on Campus
Where Greeks Are Involved on Campus
President, Community Service Council President, Philanthropy Awareness Council President, Samford Ambassadors President, Senior Class President, SGA President, Student Recruitment Team Editor-in-Chief, The Crimson Worship Coordinator, University Ministries Managing Editor, The Crimson Staff Coordinator, Red Sea
A Cappella Choir Active Minds Air Force ROTC Alpha Epsilon Delta Alpha Kappa Psi Alpha Lambda Delta Alpha Phi Omega Alpha Psi Omega Ambassadors Association of Nursing Students Basketball Beta Alpha Psi Beta Beta Beta Black Student Union Bulldog Fund Campus Outreach Catholic Student Association Cheerleading College Republicans Color Guard Community Service Council Community Standards Council Connections Leaders Crew Dance Team Dean’s Student Advisory Council Debate Team Diamond Girls Entre Nous Fellowship of Christian Athletes Film Club Financial Management Association Football Foundations Peer Mentors French Club Freshmen Forum Freshmen Representative Council Gamma Sigma Sigma Gospel Choir Grace Dance Ministry Howard College Ambassadors International Club Jazz Band Judiciary Committee Kappa Alpha Tau
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Kappa Delta Pi Kappa Omicron Nu Lacrosse Marching Band Model United Nations Omicron Delta Kappa Orchestra Orientation Leader Outdoor Adventure Club Oxfam Phi Alpha Theta Philanthropy Awareness Council Pi Sigma Alpha Presidential Advisory Council Psi Chi R.A.N.S.O.M. Ministry Red Sea Reformed University Fellowship Residence Life Senate Sigma Delta Phi Softball Sojourn Spanish Club Step Sing Student Activities Council Student Government Association Student Recruitment Team Student Society of Health-System Pharmacists Students in Free Enterprise Symphonic Band Tennis The Crimson The National Broadcast Society The Samford News Network Track and Field University Chorale University Fellows University Ministries Vocal Impact Wind Ensemble Young Democrats YoungLife
(This list is a sampling from chapter reports.) Social Chair, Kappa Delta Phi Honor Society Public Relations, SGA Treasurer, SGA Miss Samford Step Sing Emcee Leadership, Campus Outreach Officers, Brock School of Business
When Riley Westmoreland came to Samford, she knew she wanted to be involved in Greek life, but she did not realize that her house would create so many leadership opportunities across campus for her. Among her other involvements, Westmoreland was elected Student Government Association president. Her m embership in Zeta Tau Alpha enhanced her leadership abilities by teaching her compromise, balance, and how to listen and respond to people. “Riley’s ability to create a vision and articulate it to others is one of a kind,” Director of Student Leadership and Community Engagement Janna Pennington said.
Samford played host to five regional trainings or “state” days during 2011. 7
Leadership
Leadership
The Interfraternity Council, National Panhellenic Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council all strive to develop college students into leaders for tomorrow while cultivating cohesive relationships between all chapters and councils.
The Panhellenic Council
engaged in a complete review of its structure and operations during the 2011 academic year, resulting in sweeping changes in the leadership structure and operations beginning in 2012. Those changes included new officers, enhanced roles for members, a new selection process for officers and complete budgets for the council. The women are hopeful that these changes lead to enhanced services for Panhellenic women and an increased presence on campus.
The National Pan-Hellenic Council completed its first nine months
of existence at Samford at the close of 2011 with several firsts for both the community and Samford as an institution. One first included a Step Tease during Greek Week 2011. This opportunity allowed the chapters to demonstrate a cultural aspect of the NPHC organizations to Samford as a whole. The fall began with Greek Speak in September, another first. This was an opportunity for the chapters to showcase themselves and their accomplishments to the greater Samford community.
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The Interfraternity Council
The 2011 year held many changes for the Interfraternity Council. The new year inspired the council to shift the perception of the IFC in the community. The council added a new office and adopted newly edited bylaws. The creation of the Vice President of Programming resulted in new educational programs for fraternity men, positive public relations, and the creation of the Greek Judicial Board. It was a building year and a first step in the right direction for positive rewards in the future.
Accomplishments
• 2011 saw the formal chartering of Gamma Sigma Alpha Greek honor society. Since chartering, approximately 100 Greeks have been recognized with membership. • Recognized for top 5% in the country academics by Gamma Sigma Alpha Greek Academic Honor Society • Co-created first council officer inauguration for Samford University • Implemented minimum standards for active chapters ranging from scholarship to minimum member education standards
During 2011, Samford received visits from four national officers representing three campus organizations. 9
Scholarship
Greeks on campus continue to prove that they are serious scholars from flooding the Dean’s List to supporting members who are University Fellows and Presidential Scholars. The Greek community continues to nurture academic leaders on campus.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.,
strives to make Samford’s campus more hospitable and comfortable for minorities. Following the tragic death of one of Sigma Eta’s founders, Tiffany N. Conway, the chapter designated a scholarship in her honor. She was heavily involved in the Black Student Union on Samford’s campus and strove to make Samford a more welcoming place for minorities. May 2011 was the first year the chapter gave the Tiffany N. Conway Scholarship to a well-rounded minority student who demonstrated academic excellence.
During 2011, over 40% of the entire Greek community was named on the Dean’s List.
Scholarship Gamma Sigma Alpha, a Greek academic honor society, exemplifies the true meaning of scholarship. Each member of the organization attains a 3.5 cumulative grade point average or better by the junior or senior year. ΓΣΑ members come from various Greek organizations across campus. Nearly all fraternities and sororities on campus are represented in ΓΣΑ, signifying the importance of scholarship amongst the Samford Greek community. ΓΣΑ was charted at Samford in the spring of 2011 and has been receiving attention from its creation of events and awards promoting scholarship. One of its most successful events was the sponsorship of a scholarship banner for the fraternity and sorority that achieved the highest grade point average over the semester.
Nationally, Gamma Sigma Alpha recognized Panhellenic and IFC for being in the top 5% of community GPAs for 2011. This recognition placed them on the national academic honor roll for the year.
Approximately 60% of the Greek community achieved a GPA of 3.0 or better each semester.
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Personal Development
Recruitment and Retention
Personal development remains a large draw for Greek organizations. Students immerse themselves in a community that allows learning, not only of a particular organization, but of themselves.
Recruitment is more than adding numbers to a house; it’s about continuing a legacy. Through the addition of new members, older members learn to love unconditionally and teach through actions rather than words. Our community’s high retention numbers prove that Samford Greeks succeed in making a home for new members.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., prides itself on making
Samford a more welcoming place for minorities. The chapter cohosted Mix It Up Day along with the new members of the multicultural sorority on campus, Delta Xi Phi. The two chapters stood at each entrance of the cafeteria during lunch and encouraged students to “mix it up” by sitting with and g etting to know people with whom they normally did not associate. The feeling in the room was electric with excitement with strong student support and participation. Delta Sigma Theta is dedicated to uniting the Samford student body. Lauren Barry, a member of Chi Omega, serves as worship c oordinator for University Ministries. She leads worship on Tuesday nights at Shiloh and is a member of the University Ministries executive board. University Ministries gives Barry the opportunity to influence d ifferent areas of campus while strengthening her relationship with Christ.
The Panhellenic Council
The Panhellenic Council completed another successful recruitment in 2011. The addition of an Open House Day allowed the potential new members to get acquainted with the chapters even better. Samford’s Greek system continues to grow with average chapter size increasing by 20 members in the past two years. Panhellenic looks forward to another successful recruitment in 2012.
While several fraternities and sororities enjoy intercollegiate athletics, one of the highest concentrations of members rests in the Iota chapter of Sigma Nu. Sigma Nu boasts several members of the Samford intercollegiate athletics community, ranging from football to track.
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Recruitment and Retention Interfraternity Council
IFC recruitment is comprised of four days that remind current members why they joined their organization, and allow potential members to see the passion and purpose behind the letters. Recruitment 2011 included Smokers Night, Open House, Brothers Night In, Brothers Night Out and Bid Day. IFC and the community diligently worked on revising the recruitment schedule and looks forward to seeing these changes implemented during the 2012 recruitment process.
National Pan-Hellenic Council
Each organization of the NPHC participates in the intake process to gain new members; however, each chapter’s process is very different. Intake can take place in the fall or spring semester. The process is the NPHC equivalent to formal recruitment for IFC and NPC. Candidates for membership must complete a minimum of one semester in college to establish an academic standing. Although the intake process differs between organizations, most begin with an interest meeting advertised throughout the campus community. 14
Public Relations SU Greek Life • A new Greek life website was introduced in 2011:
www.samford.edu/ greeklife
• The 2011 digital recruitment booklet received more than 13,000 views.
@samfordgreeks
• A newly launched social media campaign has gained 739 Twitter followers and has averaged more than 100 Facebook hits a week. • These social m edia numbers are comparable to peer institutions as well as larger state institutions.
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Regional and National Awards Community Awards 2011 Panhellenic (Sorority) Academic Honor Roll, Gamma Sigma Alpha 2011 IFC (Fraternity) Academic Honor Roll, Gamma Sigma Alpha 2011 Public Relations Awards, Southeastern Panhellenic Conference
Chapter Awards Chapters Receiving Regional and National Awards in 2011
• Alpha Delta Pi* • Alpha Omicron Pi • Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. • Sigma Chi • Zeta Tau Alpha *Recognized as national top chapter
Individual Honors
• Chi Omega Kitty Rogers Brown ’01 was named Samford’s 2011 Young Alumnus of the Year. An active member of the Junior League, Brown helped Chi Omega add a third philanthropy, the YWCA. In addition to publicizing the YWCA throughout the chapter, she also spearheaded a new Chi Omega Scholarship Fund in fall 2011 in conjunction with the executive board.
• Dr. Denise Gregory—Regional Chapter Advisor of the Year, Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. • Clay Johnson—Regional Chapter President of the Year, Sigma Chi
• Jenae’ Steele—Regional Nominating Committee, Delta Sigma
Vision for the Future Beginning fall 2012, we hope to begin taking the “next steps” for the Samford Greek community including, but not limited to: • Forming a 3 year strategic plan • Enhanced physical space • Intensive leadership programming • Continued use of technology to serve our community • Increased visibility and public relations • Enhanced alumni relations • Continued enhancement and reinforcement of the interfraternal environment that further develops ritual values including, but not limited to, scholarship, service to others, personal faith, and brotherhood/sisterhood
Theta Sorority, Inc. 16
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Where We Have Been Composite Membership Numbers
(Please note: This report only accounts for current chapters and does not include those going “dormant” during this time frame)
Fall 2008* Spring 2009* Fall 2009* Spring 2010* Fall 2010* Spring 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 2012
Alpha Delta Pi 154 148 164 154 166 161 154 150
Alpha Kappa Alpha 5 # # # 4 7 10 9
Alpha Omicron Pi 79 65 83 72 87 94 108 116
Alpha Phi Alpha ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 6 5 5
Chi Omega Delta Sigma Theta 160 ^ 144 ^ 159 ^ 142 3 159 3 151 8 155 6 151 6
Kappa Alpha Psi Phi Mu Pi Kappa Phi Sigma Chi Sigma Nu Zeta Tau Alpha Total Members Fall 2008* # 155 61 79 61 136 890 Spring 2009* # 146 55 78 58 127 821 Fall 2009* # 147 86 67 63 144 913 Spring 2010* # 140 75 52 53 127 818 Fall 2010* 4 161 100 85 56 143 968 Spring 2011 4 154 95 78 53 137 948 Fall 2011 3 148 92 75 52 140 948 Spring 2012 2 142 84 74 55 137 931 ^chapter reactivated in first recorded semester *significant errors were found to have taken place in rosters for these semesters. Therefore, these numbers cannot be 100% verified #records not located for these chapters during this time frame
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Fall 2008 Spring 2009 Fall 2009 Spring 2010 Fall 2010 Spring 2011 Fall 2011
Alpha Delta Pi 3.30 3.31 3.38 3.38 3.36 3.43 3.39
Alpha Kappa Alpha 3.26 # 3.34 3.14 3.27 2.93 2.79
Alpha Omicron Pi 2.94 2.96 3.02 3.05 3.25 3.17 3.18
Alpha Phi Alpha ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 2.84 3.22
Chi Omega Delta Sigma Theta Kappa Alpha Psi 3.19 ^ # 3.31 ^ # 3.28 ^ # 3.28 3.73 # 3.29 3.64 3.17 3.32 2.96 2.95 3.26 3.11 3.17
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Spring 2010* # 140 75 52 53 127 Fall 2010* 4 161 100 85 56 143 Spring 2011 4 154 95 78 53 137 Fall 2011 3 148 92 75 52 140 Spring 2012 2 142 84 74 55 137 ^chapter reactivated in first recorded semester *Significant errors were found to have taken place in rosters for these semesters, as such these numbers cannot be 100% verified #records not located for these chapters during this time frame
Where We Have Been
371 419 427 438 437
Composite Chapter GPAs
Alpha Omicron Pi 2.94 2.96 3.02 3.05 3.25 3.17 3.18 3.15
Alpha Phi Alpha ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 2.84 3.22 3.02
Phi Mu Pi Kappa Phi Sigma Chi Fall 2008 3.36 2.74 3.00 Spring 2009 3.37 2.75 3.18 Fall 2009 3.3 2.86 2.96 Spring 2010 3.33 2.9 3.02 Fall 2010 3.34 3.03 2.96 Spring 2011 3.38 3.03 3.04 Fall 2011 3.38 2.96 2.98 Spring 2012 3.38 3.10 2.94 ^chapter reactivated during first recorded semester #records not located for these chapters during this time frame
Sigma Nu 2.76 2.81 2.84 2.88 2.78 2.86 2.78 2.83
Fall 2008 Spring 2009 Fall 2009 Spring 2010 Fall 2010 Spring 2011 Fall 2011 Spring 2012
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Alpha Delta Pi 3.30 3.31 3.38 3.38 3.36 3.43 3.39 3.40
Alpha Kappa Alpha 3.26 # 3.34 3.14 3.27 2.93 2.79 2.82
Chi Omega Delta Sigma Theta Kappa Alpha Psi 3.19 ^ # 3.31 ^ # 3.28 ^ # 3.28 3.73 # 3.29 3.64 3.17 3.32 2.96 2.95 3.26 3.11 3.17 3.31 3.27 3.13 Zeta Tau Alpha 3.17 3.24 3.29 3.31 3.35 3.38 3.26 3.32
All Greek 3.12 3.18 3.18 3.21 3.15 3.25 3.20 3.23
All Campus 3.10 3.13 3.13 3.15 3.16 3.16 3.15 3.20
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2011 At A Glance
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Produced by Samford Office of Marketing and Communication Samford University is an Equal Opportunity Institution that complies with applicable law prohibiting discrimination in its educational and employment policies and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or national or ethnic origin.
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