Review of Greek system to assess community, help chapters in need

Tracy Tucholski

The Enrollment Management and Student Affairs offices are in the process of a Greek review to assess Kent State’s current Greek system.

Dean of Students Greg Jarvie said their intentions are to gather as much information as possible and to try to discover how the university can obtain a better Greek system.

“Greek provides many opportunities for students,” Jarvie said. “Students feel connected through the collaboration between members.”

Now is the ideal time to hold a Greek review, Jarvie said. Nationally, the percentage of new members joining each year is slowing. Just under 1,000 Kent State students are members of a fraternity or sorority.

Beth Gittons, assistant director of sorority and fraternity affairs, said the idea of a review is ideal because it hasn’t been done in nearly 10 years.

“We can find out what’s working, what’s not working and how we can make it better,” Gittons said. “I hope it makes students feel that the administration cares enough to want to assess the Greek system.”

The purpose of the Greek review is to better the community as a whole and benefit students, Jarvie said.

The review will consist of focus groups and surveys targeting active Greeks. He said the focus groups will include advisers of Greek chapters and members of the Panhellenic, Interfraternity and Black Greek councils.

There are some chapters looking for direction and help, and the Greek review can help them, he said.

The focus groups will be casual and will consist of discussion on a few questions. Jarvie said marketing techniques, administration tasks and Greeks’ roles within the university community and outside the community will be discussed.

The review is to make sure the university is making the right changes. Gittons said there is always room for improvement.

“An ideal Greek system is a group that adheres to values and understands its role in the university, provides opportunity for leaders and is a service organization that gives back to the community,” Jarvie said. The hope is to strengthen the current Greek system.

The review is expected to be complete by the end of next semester.

The final product will be a report that gives an overall assessment, Jarvie said.

“Surely we will be better than where we are today,” Jarvie said. “It’s data to assist us in the future.”

Contact Greek life reporter Tracy Tucholski at [email protected].