BLOOMSBURG – The Greek life community at Bloomsburg University will be receiving its five-year review within the next few weeks.
Alumni, students, and staff alike will be participating in this terms review, according to the BU official website. They will also be undergoing evaluation to decide what is working and what is not in the Greek community.
According to Edwin Valovage, director of the Student Union and Campus Life at BU, a “fresh set of eyes” is what is going to make this review stand out from the rest. Every department is required to have a review upon a five-year term. However, the Division of Student Affairs will have an “outside review” meaning that more faculty and students will be involved.
Valovage also stated, regarding Greek life, it is a “very strong community – active on/off campus and it offers a very strong alumni network.” There are challenges in these types of communities though, including but not limited to, “sustainability – how to continue to keep their numbers up, hazing, health/wellness, and self-respect, according to Valovage.
According to the BU official website, “consultants will gather data and perceptions from all stakeholders to provide risk and gain analysis to propose creative options to addressing issues. Stakeholders, which include Greek and non-Greek students, chapter advisors, Greek alumni and University administration, will have the opportunity provide their perceptions through focus groups, one-on-one meetings, and surveys.”
The BU Greek life community is large in comparison to other schools, with over 20 fraternities and sororities combined; there is a lot of work going into this review.
As stated by Edwin Valovage, “I do not have any preset notions… I think we’re looking for an honest portrayal of the system.” The review will be conducted this week and the final report is expected to be completed by the end of Dec., early Jan.
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