Archive Photo: Representatives of the National Pan-Hellenic Council stage a pose-off in front of the Ole Miss Student Union. They are (from left) Jocelyn Knox, of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Chris Lee, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; Jacelyn Frierson, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority; Cameren Brown, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity; and Bettia Hankins, Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority. Submitted photo
OXFORD, Miss. – The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Mississippi has announced its five-year strategic plan to continue strengthening the fraternity and sorority experience on campus and beyond.
Archive Photo: Executive board officers of the UM College Panhellenic Council gather on the steps of the Lyceum. They are (top row, from left) Grace McKissack, president; and AB Saffold, vice president of standards; (middle row, from left) Katie Grace Kelly, vice president of administration and finance; Meagan Smith, vice president of recruitment; Abby Vandiver, assistant vice president of recruitment; and Taylor Thompson, vice president of recruitment counselors; and (bottom row) Reagan Stone, vice president of public relations and marketing; Alyssa Moncrief, vice president of academics; and Madeleine Zacks, vice president of philanthropy and service. Submitted photo
The process of developing the plan began in the fall 2019 semester with an external review of the FSL community. That process involved students, chapter advisers, house mothers, campus partners, senior administrators and alumni on the fraternity and sorority life advisory board. The FSL staff and advisory board worked together through 2020 to develop strategic values, goals and objectives.
Implementation will begin immediately as the FSL team shares the plan this week with the community. Included are chapter and council leaders, as well as individuals representing constituent groups represented by the FSL office.
“I believe the plan will not only be a continuation of some work already in progress, but most importantly positively challenge the FSL community to lead in areas that will directly impact the overall student experience at the university,” said Arthur E. Doctor Jr., director of fraternity and sorority life.
“Additionally, there are components that will allow fraternity and sorority members/chapters to have a more impactful footprint in the LOU community.”
The process of developing a strategic plan began because the FSL community and office had achieved initial goals set to address some immediate community needs and wanted to create a strategic vision for the community, Doctor said. It also coincided with the 170th anniversary of Greek life on campus and the launch of its fundraising campaign.
The campaign’s name, MomentUM 2025, was chosen to highlight the progress already being made and the positive trajectory that the Greek community is on.
The five values of the Strategic Plan and goals for each include:
- Academic Excellence: the goal is to expand access to opportunities and resources that support and promote academic success
- Civic Engagement: to promote a holistic understanding of civic engagement and its effects on surrounding communities, as well as to demonstrate leadership in community service and philanthropic giving that benefits the Ole Miss community and external entities
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: to develop an infrastructure to support diversity, equity and inclusion and to demonstrate commitment to these values through committed actions
- Health and Wellness: to strengthen and further develop collaboration with campus and community partners to address issues of health and safety, as well as to increase educational opportunities in the areas of hazing prevention, violence prevention, and alcohol and other drugs
- Personal and Professional Development: to establish a strategic partnership with the UM Career Center to develop new initiatives that enhance career development and preparation for fraternity and sorority members and to create leadership development programs and initiatives
Archive Photo: Executive board members for the UM Interfraternity Council are (from left) Michael Raymond, president; Alex Turner, executive vice president; Stewart McCullough, vice president of recruitment; Alex Sembrot, vice president of finance and administration; Devan Williams, vice president of diversity and community engagement; Gregory Vance, vice president of philanthropy; and Elias Addy, vice president of public relations. Submitted photo
UM administrators expressed optimism and support for the plan’s implementation.
“I’m so proud of the FSL team for developing a comprehensive, five-year strategic plan with broad-based input from multiple stakeholders that casts an ambitious and exciting vision for fraternity and sorority life at the flagship,” said Brent Marsh, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs and dean of students.
“This plan will serve as a ‘north star’ for the FSL advisory board, councils and staff, inviting the chapters to embrace the five important values outlined in the plan.”
For more information about the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, click here.