Purpose of Aggie Greek life
The Texas A&M Greek System is a community
of single-gender Greek organizations, hereafter referred to as Aggie Greeks, that creates
and maintains programs and developmental opportunities that strengthen and complement the
mission and goals of the University. These Greek organizations offer members a variety of
opportunities that contribute to the tradition-rich Aggie community. By creating
purposeful living-learning experiences, Greek organizations foster leadership, life-long
friendships, self-improvement and prepare students for success while at Texas A&M
University and after graduation.
Aggie Greek chapters value scholarship by
encouraging and supporting members in their academic pursuits. Each Aggie Greek chapter
observes ritual-based principles and standards regarding ethics and values-centered
leadership and life skills. Chapters recognize that personal and group accountability is
maintained through continuous improvement and peer governance. An integral part of Aggie
Greek life is the duty to serve others in order to make the campus and community a better
place.
Cooperation between Greeks and other members
of the University community fosters productive partnerships. These relationships further
chapter development and enhance open communication, resulting in more productive chapters.
Greek interaction within the University
community creates an enhanced association with Texas A&M. Long lasting ties
demonstrate continued support of the University. Mutual cooperation between Greeks and
staff, faculty and other student organizations is stimulated through continued
interaction. Ongoing Greek alumni and former student involvement supports the
University/student partnerships.
Both Texas A&M University and the Aggie
Greek System benefit through open communication, cooperation, accountability, advocacy,
and support. These areas of shared responsibilities are all connected and equally
important in this relationship.
Self-Governance/Structure
Maintaining active Councils (IFC, CPC,
NPHC)
who work together within the Aggie Greek System allows fraternity and sorority chapters to
govern themselves. This process fosters student awareness and education of democratic and
organizational procedures that will be valuable after graduation.
The current council structure is as
follows:
- The Interfraternity Council (IFC) at Texas
A&M University is a council of men’s fraternities belonging to the National
Interfraternity Conference (NIC).
- The Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC) at Texas A&M University
consists of women’s sororities belonging to the National Panhellenic Conference
(NPC).
- The Pan-Hellenic Council at Texas A&M University comprises historically (yet
not exclusively) black fraternities and sororities belonging to the National Pan-Hellenic
Council (NPHC).
- The Multicultural Greek Council (MGC) at Texas A&M University comprises
of culturally based fraternities and sororities
All of these councils will maintain a separate constitution that includes
statement of purpose, membership guidelines, and general operational procedures.
Initiatives
Facilitate the development of an additional
Council for single gender Greek organizations that are not already part of Interfraternity
Council, Panhellenic Council, or Pan-Hellenic Council.
Promote self governance and accountability
among the Councils that enhance cooperative relationships and facilitate effective
communication.
Communication
Maintaining open, honest, and frequent
communication among chapters, Councils, headquarters, local volunteers, and Texas
A&M University faculty and staff leads to a more productive relationship.
Initiatives
Facilitate ongoing communication between
Aggie Greeks and other student groups.
Maintain close contact with national
headquarters.
Clearly communicate and educate the Aggie
Greek System and Texas A&M University about existing behavioral and performance
expectations.
Cooperation/Involvement
Aggie Greeks provide a large and diverse
leadership pool for participation on University committees and projects. By creating
opportunities for Greek leadership, Texas A&M University fosters individual growth and
encourages positive relationships.
Initiatives
Solicit Aggie Greek input and invite
student representatives to serve on University task forces, committees, and forums,
especially those affecting the Aggie Greek System.
Work together to disseminate information to
Aggie Greek chapters about University resources and encourage students to utilize these
services to enhance their success at Texas A&M University.
Organize and hold an annual Texas A&M
University All-Greek Conference focusing on leadership and Greek issues.
Accountability
Both the self-governing Aggie Greek System
and Texas A&M University will be proactive in identifying problematic areas and
addressing them for continual improvement.
Initiatives
Abide by federal, state and local laws as
well as procedures of Texas A&M University, national organizations, and the respective
Councils.
Support the mission and goals of the
University and national organizations.
Enhance, maintain and utilize existing peer
judicial processes within the Councils.
Provide support and opportunities to
develop an educational forum to address current issues impacting the University and Aggie
Greek community.
Ensure fair and consistent implementation
of "University Student Rules" and Student Organization policies.
Advocacy
The University and Greek communities will
work together to promote the Aggie Greek System in the day to day aspects of Texas A&M
University life.
Initiatives
Educate Texas A&M University faculty
and staff about Aggie Greek life.
Recognize and promote the Aggie Greek
System through University publications, programs, committees, and events to various
constituencies, understanding that this process requires commitment from both the Aggie
Greek community (to pass the information along) and the University (to make these
resources available).
Respond to the needs of the Aggie Greek
community by learning and remaining up-to-date about national Greek organizations, issues,
and trends.
-
Support the community service goals of Aggie Greek
organizations.
Support/Resources
It is beneficial to both the University and
the Aggie Greek community when competent staff (and administrative resources for this
staff) are provided in order to advise, educate, coordinate, support, and promote the
Aggie Greek System.
Initiatives
Create and maintain an environment where
students are comfortable seeking assistance and help from Greek Life staff, chapter
advisors, and national headquarters.
Train and support councils in the
self-governance process when applicable (for example: judicial board training.)
Maintain resources for purposeful and
balanced membership education programs.
Offer chapters, councils, headquarters and
local volunteers assistance in dealing with crisis situations.
Assist chapters in dealing with crisis
management.
Assist Aggie Greek organizations in
identifying faculty and staff members willing to serve as resources for Greek chapters,
(for example, chapter advisors, faculty advisors, program presenters.)
Provide equitable student organizational
funding among the Councils to assist in programming, administrative support, educational
development, scholarship, and leadership development.
Provide University resources such as space,
advising, academic support, and leadership development.
Assist Greeks with development/fundraising
in areas such as identifying former students and alumni/ae who would be willing to
contribute to the development of the Aggie Greek System.
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