Sigma Phi Epsilon - University of Oregon

ΣΦΕ EARTBEA H T UNIVERSITY OF OREGON s SIGMA PHI EPSILON Oregon Beta SPRING 2016 (Continued on page 2) A New Beginning for Oregon Beta T he fall and winter terms marked a turning point for the Oregon Beta Chapter; a turning point toward reaffirming our commitment to the rituals and values of Sigma Phi Epsilon. A Change of Heart Historically, our Chapter has been considered troublesome, uncommitted to the Balanced Man Program, and underachieving. We thought we were doing things right and living like balanced men. It was not until the executive board attended Carlson Leadership Academy this January that we realized how lacking and insufficient our Chapter was in so many capacities: grades, member activism, commitment to rituals, and community involvement. It was crushing, but it was also inspiring. It was a wake-up call and the executive board embraced the challenge head on. Planning for the Future Since attending the Carlson Leadership Academy, our Chapter's executive board, with the help of Mark Maloney (District 9's Regional Director), have implemented a seven-step action plan focused on fulfilling the Oregon Beta Chapter mission statement and living up to the ideals of The Balanced T he University of Oregon, under the direction of President Michael Schill, ordered a review of the Greek system at the University this past fall. Two outside consultants, Dr. Jeremiah Shinn from Boise State University and Mark Koepsell, Executive Director of the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors, conducted the very extensive review. The final report is yet to be released by the University, but is likely to mirror many of the problems that face Greek life nationally—many organizations, for the most part, exist primarily for social reasons with little participation in furthering the mission of the University. I believe the report will also show that over the years there has been a real disconnect with the University and Greek life at Oregon. Regardless of the report's findings, it is quite obvious that there needs to be fundamental changes in the Greek life program at Oregon if it is to survive. Oregon Beta's move to the Balanced Man Program has been one step in their attempt to begin making that change. They are finding that the simple adoption of that program is only a starting point. The program, to be successfully implemented, requires some real changes in how the members look at the Fraternity experience. Oregon Beta is and was typical of fraternities at the U of O with their primary mission being social. They measured their success with how they interpreted their social standing with sororities primarily. This culture, that other fraternities believed in as well, led to both the University of Oregon faculty senate and ASUO senate passing resolutions restricting the growth of the Greek system at the University. And while those resolutions to this point have had little impact, it is my belief they will become more significant once the consultant's assessment is released. What does this all mean? Basically that Greek life at the University needs to change, and change rapidly. Sororities will find this change easier as they have done a better job of continuing the basic premise of Greek life. Fraternities will have a much more difficult time as their culture has drifted to far from the basic tenets of Greek life that made them so successful in the late '50s and '60s. The job ahead of them is large, and with the experience being primarily a sophomore-junior experience, one that will be very difficult. This is where involved alumni come in. Oregon Beta is going to need some guidance; guidance from people who have time to commit and who both understand and support The Balanced Man Program. The National organization is working hard to identify some of those brothers at the current time. If you believe this is something you could offer, I encourage you to contact District Governor Steve Ruttner at steveruttner@comcast.net to offer your services. Finally, after 15 years on the Alumni Board, I am ending my involvement with Oregon Beta. This will be my last newsletter. Sigma Phi Epsilon, specifically Oregon Beta, was and has been a significant contributor to my life and for that I am grateful. But for some personal reasons it is time for me to move on. We are investigating turning over the operation of the alumni property to the Sigma Phi Epsilon Property Management program. The board will meet in the near future to determine what path they will choose to take and elect new officers. It has been a pleasure to work with Oregon Beta over the years. Thank you. Fraternally, Pat Latimer '68 AVC President (541) 688-0231 latimerpat@comcast.net Oregon Beta Anticipates Changes to U of O Greek Life Aydin Dibaei '19, Russel Clark Blockhus '17, Travis Mobley '18, Kyle Davies '19, Matt Woodley '17, Matt McGonegal '19, and Ollie Saltzman '17 during the University of Oregon Fraternity & Sorority Life Day of Service.

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