Re-Recognition 2002
What is happening with Fraternity & Sorority Life at
Franklin & Marshall College?
The College completed the steps starting in 2002 to re-recognize
F&M Fraternity & Sorority Life. This was done with
undergraduate, alumni and inter/national leaders to recognize
fraternities and sororities as official F&M student
organizations. This action comes as part of a comprehensive
strategic plan that includes a number of actions designed to
enhance the quality of campus life.
This decision brings an end to a period of “de-recognition” that
began in 1988. Under that policy, Greek organizations had
operated independently of the College, but they had remained a
significant feature of the social lives of many students.
Re-recognition came about as a result of a 16-month review
process initiated by President John Fry. That review process was
overseen by a strategic plan sub-committee and involved
consultation with faculty, trustees, alumni and current students.
During its review, the sub-committee found that the policy of
de-recognition was not working. It concluded that there were too
many negative consequences of a Greek system that was
unregulated by the College. Particular problems identified by the
sub-committee included risks to student health and safety,
reports of hazing, and negative impacts on academic life and
student academic performance associated with pledging
activities. Finally, all who worked on the guidelines concluded
that the rift in the Franklin & Marshall family that had been
caused by de-recognition was an impediment to the future of
both the College and the Fraternity|Sorority Community.
Re-recognition will proceed under a set of guidelines that have
been endorsed by the faculty, the Alumni Greek Council, and
the undergraduate Greek Council and accepted by the College
Board of Trustees, Franklin & Marshall's governing body.
Underlying the guidelines is the common belief that Greek
organizations should operate in a manner consistent with the
College's mission and ethos.
Why Re-Recognition?
Alumni, students, faculty, trustees and administrators agreed to
transform the Fraternity and Sorority system into a model
system that operates in a manner consistent with the values of
the College and its liberal arts heritage. The guidelines call for a
Fraternity and Sorority system that "respects the centrality of
academic life" and "demonstrates a fundamental respect for
human dignity and a commitment to inclusiveness," concepts
which are consistent with the traditional values of each Greek
organization.
What are the guidelines?
Briefly, the guidelines call for:
A governance structure that provides for strong and consistent
leadership from Greek alumni and faculty/staff advisers.
A set of standards designed to make academic achievement a
cornerstone of the pledge/new member educational process.
Both the students interested in joining a Greek organization
and the group itself must maintain specific grade point
averages.
Measures to prevent hazing. Hazing is illegal under
Pennsylvania state law and prohibited by the College's own
code of conduct.
A renewed commitment to community service that is in keeping
with the College's overall commitment to Lancaster City.