Working Groups Reports: Greek Issues

Please Note: These reports were produced by working group teams participating in the MizzouDiversity Summit. There may be errors in some of the data provided and the viewpoints presented reflect the beliefs and opinions of the working group teams but do not necessarily represent the official positions of the Chancellor's Diversity Initiative or the University of Missouri.

Working Group Members

Samantha Allen; Stephanie Mitchell; Courtney Scott; Mallory Whited; Brett Naylor; Cyreia Sandlin; Carolyn Ludwig; Scott Jones; Madison Brooks; Justin Yeater; Sam Hargadine; Courtney Scott; Liz Braun; Kyle Allen; Rebecca Martinez; Ming Chen; Jacquelyn Kasner; Catherine Schneider; Benjamin Tipton; Andre Brown; Christopher Addae; Christopher Jefferson; Aaron Finnegan; Steve Oslica; Andrea Smith; McClain Thompson; Tyler McBee; Ashley Skinner; Sarah Reeves; Ryan Nichols; Billy Jones; Austin Calloway; Elizabeth Kauffmann; Julia Frasco

Praiseworthy Aspects

The Greek life on campus is a large community of well-rounded, bright young leaders. There have been many events organized and executed by the Greek community. Greeks are making an effort to reach out to all different areas, thus created more of a diverse learning experience.
Homecoming is a great way for everyone to get involved with Greek Life and all the multicultural sororities and fraternities because we are all paired up with one another, and it allows us to shine as a whole rather than as individual houses on campus. Another great way is through Greek Week because again we are all working together towards a greater whole. We also bring in a lot of speakers that are helpful to merge the groups into one whole being when we talk about greek life as a whole we don't just mean the ones with big houses on campus, we mean all the fraternities and sororities that are represented all around campus.
With the PHA and IFC organizations, both men and women are fairly represented and can serve as a strong voice on campus. The Greek system does a good job of promoting gender diversity.
Large, thriving Greek community
Major research University + Nation's top Journalism school that attracts students from all over the world
many different types of chapters are represented and going through formal recruitment for sororities, all types of girls with different personalities and interests could find a place to fit in.
24% of the undergraduate population is involved in a Greek organization

Concerns & Problems

There is not an accurate representation of Mizzou's racial diversity in Greek houses. Also, I feel their is a lack of diversity of opinion in the Greek community.
I still think that in general the Greek Community is not diverse culturally or ethnically. There is a certain cookie cutter mold that creates the Greek population. I would like to see a more diverse group of people.
There may be a little bitterness towards the Greek community when it comes to diversity because the smaller houses or more diverse houses may feel like they are being overshadowed by the university and not given a fair voice on issues and events.
Drug problems in Greek community
Not much interfraternity interaction
IFC and PHA in the Greek community do not have many opportunities to interact with the MGC and the NPHC.
Homophobia/Transphobia
Sex, socio-economic, and racially discriminatory themed parties (ex: CEO’s and Secretary Ho’s)

Recommendations

Recruit/rush more from varying geographic, socioeconomic, and racial backgrounds.
I think a more intense recruitment effort to bring in a greater diversity would be helpful. There are certain stereotypes out there about the Greek community that are not necessarily untrue. A better effort to combat these stereotypes would strength the impact of everything Greeks do for the University of Missouri.
I think maybe if we have community building events more often to unite the forces of greek life rather than divide them in competition it would really help everyone to bond together for the greater good.
Promote more all-Greek events
Volunteer drug-test program that doesn't inflict penalties if positive, but gives rewards if drug-free
Have more events with all of the councils which would encourage interaction. This would allow members of different sororities and fraternities to see how other chapters work and meet a diverse group of people.
Become involved in the Lambda 10 project - to raise awareness of LGBT issues in fraternities and sororities / Bring speaker (Shane Windmeyer) to campus
Bylaws in progress for discriminatory themed parties --