In just one year, Auburn Greek Life has seen massive changes in staffing, regulations, funding and office location.
Haven Hart, assistant vice president for student development, said changes being implemented will improve the overall Greek experience for those involved.
The Greek office is now located where the TigerCard office was previously — across from the Student Center game room. The team is excited about the move, as there is far more room for the new faculty.
Faculty additions
According to Lindsay Ollis, the new adviser for Panhellenic Council, the position formerly held by Jill Moore, longtime director of Greek Life, has been somewhat split. Moore's successor, Ryan Powell, is new to Auburn University and the city. Moore was in charge of all of Greek Life and Panhellenic.
Ollis has taken responsibility for advising Panhellenic, Benard Goins is now advising National Pan-Hellenic Council and Chris Lucas has continued his work with Auburn's Interfraternity Council.
Powell is excited about his new position as director of Greek Life and came to Auburn after spending six years working for the University of Alabama.
Powell was the founding chapter president for Kappa Sigma at Emory University. His family has a long tradition with Emory.
"I love being in the SEC. I love being in the South," Powell said.
Powell said his main priorities are to help the communities grow, put the students first and ensure safety. He said most of his decisions are based on the data they have collected. He asks, "What do students really need?"
He said he wants each of the chapters and advisers to focus on how each organization is elevating their members — from top leadership to incoming member.
"I want to look at how we are laying foundations to help people be transformative in their lives," Powell said.
Conduct Reports
Student Conduct Reports for Auburn University Greek Life will now be public record and published semesterly.
"In an effort to provide transparency for potential members and parents and align with our SEC and national peers, we felt it important to publish the information," said Haven Hart, assistant vice president for student development.
The reports will be published by the first week of classes following the next semester.
Ollis said the reports will serve as an accountability tool for those involved in Greek organizations. The hope is to increase transparency and highlight the positives along with the "not-so-positive" situations.
In Fall 2017, four fraternities in the Interfraternity Council were suspended for varying violations.
- Delta Sigma Phi is suspended from campus until December 2021 for hazing and alcohol violation.
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon is suspended from March 2017 to March 2019 for an alcohol violation.
- Sigma Phi Epsilon is suspended from November 2017 to January 2022 for hazing and alcohol violation.
- Theta Xi is suspended from August 2017 to August 2019 for alcohol and other violations.
To access these reports, visit http://greeklife.auburn.edu/reports/.
Hart cautioned future members in judging organizations by what is published in the reports and said beginning your journey with a group that is improving is the best time.
"I think that it is important to share the stories about what our students are doing well and what we aren't doing so well," Powell said.
According to Hart and Powell, Greek Life will publish a report of successes and achievements with the Conduct Reports.
Greek fee
Greek Life will begin charging a Greek member fee of $15 and will decrease some other fees this fall.
Assistant Vice President for Student Development Haven Hart said the fee's purpose is to generate funds for incoming staff, enhances chapter service, leadership training and professional development for staff and students.
According to Student Affairs, Auburn's Greek fee will be the lowest in the SEC and ACC, with Louisiana State University at $57 a semester and Clemson at $55 a semester. With a Greek population of 7,500, the new fee will generate $225,000 annually.
In addition to hiring a new director of Greek Life, Ryan Powell, each council will now have a full-time advisor.
According to Hart, the current staff ratio at 7,500 students is approximately one faculty or staff member to 1,875 students. With the new hirings, the ratio will move from one to 1,000 students, with the ideal ratio being one to 750 students.
In addition to the new fee, University Housing agreed to reduce the Panhellenic chapter room fee from $300 to $220 a year. According to Student Affairs, Panhellenic will see an overall decrease in fees by $55 a year.
Interfraternity Council new members will see their dues decrease from the one-time $70 to $35 — a $5 decrease their first year.
IFC member dues will go from $26 a year to $21 a year and with the new Greek fee, they see an overall increase of $25 a year. National Pan-Hellenic Council will see no changes in their member dues besides the added Greek fee of $15. These changes will take action this fall.
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