Fraternity & Sorority Life - University Student Commons and ...

Year In Review
To say that it has been a year of tremendous growth and development is an understatement. I
think about all the exceptional leaders that have emerged in chapters and on governing councils,
and I can not contain my excitement about the potential of the community to be one of the best
in the nation. And when I reflect on all the small wins over the course of the year, I quickly begin
to realize how incredibly proud I am to be a part of the VCU Fraternity and Sorority community.
Small wins lead to great success and our community has had more of them in the last year than in
its 38 year history.
Defining the fraternity and sorority experience at VCU has been our challenge throughout the year and I believe
we are closer to determining our story. The community has not just grown in numbers of chapters and numbers
of members but it has significantly grown in the ability to reflect the founding values of its organizations and
contribute to the overall mission of the University. Fraternity and Sorority Life at VCU is growing, and it is changing
for the better. It is because of the fierce leadership in the chapters and governing councils that the University is
able to continue its commitment to furthering fraternity and sorority life and provide the tools necessary to exceed
expectations.
While change is difficult, it is a natural evolution within the development of such a growing institution. We have
stepped up to the challenge of increasing our impact and relevance to the college experience. The following new
programs and milestones acknowledge this commitment:
• EBI - Educational Benchmarking Assessment Project
• Training and information sessions for chapter advisors 4 times per year
• 98% chapter participation in IMPACT, the national leadership institute from the
North-American Interfraternity Conference
• Leadership development program for Chapter Presidents and Governing Councils
• Adoption of unified risk management guidelines through each governing council
• Long term expansion plans adopted for IFC and MGC
• Long term housing proposal submitted to University Administration
• 5 new chapters and 15% increase in total membership
It is hard to quantify the extraordinary accomplishments of individual chapters and the development of the
community. Achievement can be seen in the phenomenal programming of the chapters and the self governance of
each council, but it also means the continued success of being scholars in the classroom, leaders on campus and
the spirit of the greater VCU community.
The purpose of this annual report is to describe the success and challenges for what has been an exciting year in the
history of fraternity and sorority life at VCU. We hope you read this and celebrate all that has been accomplished.
We invite you to be a part of the conversation on how we can best sustain and improve this community on the path
of becoming one of the best in the nation.
Fraternally,
Cara Jenkins, Coordinator for Fraternity and Sorority Life
Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life
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