Greek Community plans ‘State of Community’ for all its Students Sunday

BY JESSE ESPOSITO

Miami University journalism student

After Miami University and its Greek Community were thrust into national spotlight following a series of scandalous events, Miami and its Greek students were at a crossroads.

Would the “Mother of Fraternities” submit to the anger and calls of Greek removal that rippled the nation as well as the town of Oxford? Or would they fight for change within the community by educating and informing the next generation of Miami University?

A group of students, who were passionate to see a change on campus, chose the latter and formed the Re-Visioning Committee.

According to the Board of Trustee meeting minutes from Dec. 9, 2016, Jenny Levering, director of the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, told the trustees that students have led the effort for change and she outlined departmental and programming changes as well as the enhanced participant development.

The first step on this path is the a “State of the Community” address for all members of the Greek Community at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22 in Millett Hall.

“This time we aren’t just being lectured by adults about what not to do. It’s about students and adults coming together to collaborate on what we can do,” said Olivia Teteris, a member of Pi Beta Phi on campus.

The address seeks to evoke a call to action by all members of the Greek Community. It will highlight the importance of recognizing the disconnect between various facets of Greek Life and to rectify that situation by holding all members accountable. This standard of accountability includes the accountability of all grades—from seniors to the freshman—to initiate this change.

To emphasize the importance of accountability many seniors have come forward to urge others to lead change. “Our class (seniors) have seen a low point and want the system to rebound and reach its strongest potential,” says Sigma Pi President Collin Suter, who is a member of the Re-Visioning Committee. “However, the power to accomplish that lies in both the hands of the rising leaders and the outgoing seniors working together,”

The other initiatives that will follow, sponsored by Miami’s IFC (Interfraternity Council) and Miami’s Panhellenic Association, hope to make an impact on both the Miami community as well as the town of Oxford.

Editor's Note: Writer Jesse Esposito is a member of the Re-Visioning Committee.