Greek culture shift: What to know about the ‘transformational’ plan

Michelle Marchante/News Director

The University’s plan to change Greek culture on campus is underway and includes mandatory workshops, seminars, training and a reinstatement review by a special committee.

The mandatory workshops for all Greeks began on Tuesday, Jan. 9, with the third workshop scheduled for today, Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Graham Center RM 150. This workshop, however, is scheduled for Greek Alumni’s.

The next workshop “Chapter Presidents and Council Leadership” is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 25 at 5 p.m. in GC 150, followed by the Greek Town Hall with President Mark B. Rosenberg on Thursday, Feb. 1 at 6 p.m. in Student Academic Success Center RM 160.

Other workshops and training on various topics such as sexual assault, hazing prevention and alcohol awareness will be conducted throughout the semester.

The process of reinstating chapters has also begun, with chapters required to submit their completed accreditation packet to Fraternity & Sorority Life by Monday, Jan. 22, at 5 p.m., the plan’s document states. Chapters who meet deadline will then be able to sign up for their “reinstatement presentation” to the Fraternity & Sorority Life Reinstatement Review Committee on Thursday, Jan. 25.

Presentations will be from Friday, Jan. 26 to Wednesday, Jan. 31 and chapters who are approved by the committee, except those on interim suspension or suspension, will be able to resume normal activities, however, no activities with alcohol will be allowed for the rest of the Spring 2018 semester. Those not approved will have two more opportunities to be reinstated.

Any chapter not reinstated by the first week of April, however, will no longer be a Fraternity & Sorority Life “recognized organization.”

The plan, “Implementing a Transformational Fraternity and Sorority Life Culture Shift Plan,” was published on Tuesday, Jan. 9, and can be found on the Student Affairs website under FIU Halts Greek Activities.

Feature Image by Nicole Malanga/PantherNOW