Greek changes should have come with greater transparency, communication
Communication with students seems to be an annual struggle for the University of Idaho.
The latest communication failure comes with policy changes to the UI Greek system. Effective July 1, a brand-new Greek Relationship Statement outlined policies for Greek houses, which included items such as abiding by the Student Code of Conduct and obeying national chapter policies.
The least popular of these changes within the Greek community was the addition of an Event Notification Form — paperwork containing contact information for house leadership, lists non-alcoholic drinks at the event and requires a way to identify attendees under 21 years old. Greek houses must submit and discuss the form with the Greek Life Office five business days before an event.
The Greek Relationship Statement and the Event Notification Form it contains is, at its heart, a great addition to UI’s Greek system. While the Event Notification Form requires additional bureaucracy, it encourages chapters to put forethought and additional planning into events and parties that could stop unfortunate party-related accidents from happening. The additional communication also helps the Greek Life Office have greater awareness of events that occur on campus.
Many Greek students bemoan the relationship statement as an unnecessary burden the community must shoulder.
Half of the criticism lies with how the new policy was introduced. All chapter presidents signed the agreement in April and were responsible for communicating the changes to their respective houses. Undoubtedly, the information was not properly disseminated throughout the houses and many students were confused with the new requirements when they returned to school. Direct communication from the Greek Life Office to all members of the Greek system would — and still could — help ease some of the confusion.
To the Greek Life Office’s credit, they have begun to explain the new policies with full chapter membership at the request of houses. But, this is something that should have happened before the start of the semester.
The other half of the problem lies within the policy itself. To allow for violations of the relationship agreement to be assessed individually, there are no set punishments for breaking the agreement.
While the concept of individual evaluations is ideal, in actuality it is not beneficial to those within the system. Without clear or even potential consequences to go with the severity of violations, members of the Greek system win nothing more than confusion over the new policies.
Future changes to UI policies must be met with better transparency and communication from all parties involved.
–AE