The Miami Model for Greek Excellence is the product of a strategic planning initiative undertaken during 1995-1996. The instruction to the committee was to devise a plan that would establish Miami University fraternities and sororities as the preeminent Greek letter organizations in the country. The charge statement to the Commission outlined the importance of Greek letter organizations at Miami and emphasized three goals which characterize most Greek letter organizations in American higher education:
· Developing Character
· Developing Leadership
· Developing Intellect

The Greek Community Commission developed the following Statement of Purpose to guide them in their work: The Greek Community Commission is composed principally of current Greek students and Greek alumni, Greek executive office representatives, faculty, and staff who have been involved in fraternity and sorority activities locally and internationally. Its mission is to identify exemplary models of Greek life, to adapt and improve upon these models, and to recommend what steps and changes need to be made to assure that Miami has the preeminent Greek system in the nation.

The committee was chaired by Mr. John Peck, Miami alum and former member of the Miami University Board of Trustees. Throughout the GCC process, input from nationals and other external consultants was sought. Six members of the Commission were Miami Students, all involved directly with the Greek community. Eighteen members were advisors, executive directors, or former members of fraternity or sorority chapters. Eight members were employees of the University.

The Greek Community Commission completed its work in the spring of 1996 and presented its findings to the Board of Trustees on June 10, 1996, which endorsed the work of the Commission. The endorsement of the Miami Model for Greek Excellence allowed students and staff to proceed in the refinement and implementation of the recommendations in the report. The Greek Advisory Council (GAC) was established to oversee the continued work required to implement the Miami Model. The GAC used several sub-committees to draft proposals, which the GAC reviewed, modified or endorsed.

The committees and task forces were: Academic Standards, Alcohol Policy, Community Relations, Greek Advisory Committee (oversight), Membership Education, Relationship Statement, Standards, University Services, and Values and Principles.

Some of these groups had very specific charges, while others were established as ongoing committees whose charges did not have time-specific deadlines. Change in some areas of chapter life and institutional responsibility has been dramatic, while other areas some tweaking has occurred. We continue to make progress implementing the Miami Model for Greek Excellence, as well as on modifying some of the initial recommendations based on other changes.

Specific examples of our progress follow.

Progress to date - During fall 1997, the Miami Greek Values Society was established. Since implementation, this student group sponsored a day-long Fraternal Values Institute, published Principles newsletter, trained all Rho chis/rush counselors on discussing values in the recruitment process, created its own values-based book club, sponsored numerous educational programs, and planned community service activities. A Code of Values and Principles was developed and adopted in February 1998. The code reads:

As members of fraternities and sororities, we
recognize and accept that the primary mission of
Miami University is to provide excellence in
undergraduate education. We accept the role of
fraternities and sororities in supporting this
mission.

While respecting the particular goals and values
of our individual chapters, we contribute to the
Miami University mission by providing our
members with distinct opportunities to enhance
scholarship, friendship, character, leadership,
and service.

In addition to this code, agreement to the National Interfraternity Conference (NIC) Statement of Fraternal
Values and Ethics is also cited. Messages pertaining to fraternal values are now featured in all Greek-related
publications.

A relationship statement between the University and the Greek letter organizations has been approved by the Miami University President's Executive Council. This relationship statement was further refined through mutual consultation of Miami University's administration and through the endorsement of the undergraduate governing boards of fraternities and sororities (IFC, Panhellenic, NPHC) in May of 1999. The relationship statement clarifies the expectations and rights and responsibilities of the university and fraternities and sororities.

A new alcohol policy was adopted in April of 2000 and is set for implementation in the fall of 2000. This self-governance initiative is an excellent example of the historic traditions of Miami Greek organizations and responds to both the Miami Model for Greek Excellence and the National Panhellenic resolution of last summer which called for the revision of alcohol policies for Greek organizations.

Chapters are being provided with free training with the OCTAA (On Campus Talking About Alcohol) model.
Chapter Executive Boards are now required to participate in responsible low risk use of alcohol training and risk management programs each semester.

At the urging of the Academic Standards Committee, IFC voted to raise the qualifying grade point average for rush to 2.2. Academic Standards is working on issues that will increase the academic atmosphere on campus. Fraternity and sorority GPAs continue to climb with the combined averages above their respective all-men's and all-women's.

Community Relations combined with the existing Oxford City Council Community Relations Committee to improve relationships between Greek letter organizations and the Oxford community. Specific events and initiatives will foster interaction and greater appreciation within the two groups.

Pledgeship has been reduced to eight weeks with significant positive results. The pledging period was further reduced to six weeks in 1998. The Greek Advisory Committee accepted recommendations from a group of students who developed a proposal that would exempt this requirement based on the academic performance of its previous pledge class. In essence, if a group demonstrates commitment to academics through an improved GPA in new members, with no hazing violations, they may petition to have an eight-week pledge program.

The Standards Committee has developed an Accreditation Program and will continue working on the draft and beginning pilot implementation.

Advisor training programs have been developed along with special conferences for advisors and house corporation officers. These will be continued in the future as a way of enhancing the working relationship with the University and the alumni/faculty advisors serving the chapters.

University Services for Greek organizations have been expanded through an agreement to provide organizational accounts to fraternities and sororities beginning in the fall of 2000. This allows them use of certain services and facilities previously not available.

Cultural change is occurring at Miami. The change involves many committed students, faculty, staff, community members, and inter/national headquarters personnel. At times, the change process seems slow. At times, the slowness has been a blessing. In retrospect, however, it is quite astonishing to think about the progress we've made by introducing this effort and the potential still ahead of us. Greek life can and will compliment the educational mission of Miami University and will continue to thrive through a shared commitment to restoring the values upon which fraternities and sororities were founded.

The process of refining and implementing other recommendations of the Miami Model for Greek Excellence
continues and will continue until they are fully implemented, modified, or abandoned.

What we're doing now - The documents provided on this web site allow you to stay abreast of the ongoing considerations and decisions related to the implementation of the Miami Model for Greek Excellence. You are encouraged to come back to check on our progress. We also invite you to comment by sending your suggestions or questions to:

Dr. Dennis Roberts <RobertD2@MUOhio.Edu>

We hope that you take as much pride in Miami's Greek heritage and its contemporary contribution to the quality of learning at Miami. Help us maintain our heritage by making everything we do in Greek organizations the best that it can be. Cultural change is occurring at Miami. The change involves many committed students, faculty, staff, community members, and inter/national headquarters personnel. At times, the change process seems slow. At times, the slowness has been a blessing. In retrospect, however, it is quite astonishing to think about the progress we've make by introducing this effort and the potential still ahead of us. Greek life, can and will compliment the educational mission of Miami University and will continue to thrive by shared commitment to restoring the values upon which fraternities and sororities were founded.

John Gardner once said, "some people may have greatness thrust upon them. Very few have excellence thrust upon them. They achieve it. They do not achieve it unwittingly, by doin' what comes naturally, and they don't stumble into it in the course of amusing themselves. All excellence involves discipline and tenacity of purpose." Excellence is our tradition and excellence is the cornerstone of our continued journey.