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Value
Tom, I have had administrators tell me that fraternities are good because they keep alumni coming back and giving - in other words, we were a potential cash com.
Other administrators see fraternities as something to go after to prove that they (the administrators) are truly focused on academics and not frivolities.
Yet another group sees no need for a social fraternity and would prefer to generate group 'conciousness' through ethnic and lifestyle groups, not traditional fraternities and sororities.
In each of these examples, what we believe takes a back seat, in practical terms, to what the administrations believe.
What we have to do is demonstrate value to the administrations - playing by our rules is of no value to the administration in example #2 above because they see no value in the operation of a greek system and great value in getting rid of it to prove their toughness. In example #3, our values have nothing to do with generating ethic or lifestyle identity.
For all their statements espousing leadership and the like, we must judge administrators by their actions, not their words. The committment of a university is seen through their actions, not their words. If it takes 13 months to replace a greek affairs advisor, what message does that send.
BTW, that 13 month example is from Cal State Fullerton! Universities have to keep up their end of the bargain, too. And they are, oftentimes, trying to whittle away at their side while piling more up on our side. At some point a campus simply becomes unworkable as a greek campus.
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