the advantages and challenges of incorporating greek life into an eco-rep program presented by:...
TRANSCRIPT
The Advantages and Challenges of
Incorporating Greek Life into an Eco-Rep
Program
Presented by:Teresa Chamberlain and Houda Ferradji
Lehigh University Greek Eco-Rep Coordinators
Agenda University Profile
History of our Eco-Reps Program
Stats
Current Structure
Successes
Challenges
Moving Forward
Lehigh University Private University in
Bethlehem, PA
4,869 undergraduates
40% of undergraduates are members of Greek house
The Hill 9 sororities and 17
fraternities on-campus
On-campus houses owned by Lehigh
History of our Eco-Reps Program
Pilot program established Fall 2010 Green Fund
Sustainability Program
Met casually with few successful events
No Greek Houses
Expanded greatly Fall 2011 Permanent Residential Services and sustainability funds
Course credit option
Met weekly with monthly events
Most first year and upperclassman dorms
Some Greek Houses
Statistics Fall 2010
2 Residential Buildings
12 Eco-Reps
Fall 2011 9 sororities, 6 fraternities
18 Greek Eco-Reps
Spring 2012 8 sororities, 8 fraternities
19 Greek Eco-Reps
Fall 2012 9 sororities, 6 fraternities
34 Greek Eco-Reps
Roles
Sustainability
Coordinator
Greek Coordinator(
2)
Upperclassmen (res hall
and apt.) (1)
First Years/Residential Halls (2)
Program Coordinator
(GA)
Structure Event planning
Second hour
Split into Greeks and residential halls
Group brainstorm of upcoming event
Delegate tasks and break into smaller groups
Class First hour Guest
speaker/lecture Sustainable
behavior change project
Successes Tailored events
Measuring impacts
Outreach and incentives
Tailored Events Planning events for best friends
Able to learn from mistakes
Planet Earth documentary shown outside
Water inSTALLment and jeopardy game
Transportation Survey
Energy Competition
Measuring Impacts Waste Audits
Energy Competition data
Feedback survey at beginning and end of semester
Outreach and Incentives
No posting policies within houses
Platform at weekly chapter meetings
House email chain
Ability to make changes in our houses
Accreditation requirement
House points
Challenges Recruitment
Accountability
Lack of education
Passive campus
Active Greek social life
Recruitment Young program
Lack of visibility
Unresponsive Greek houses
Used the tight-knit Greek community to spread the word
Electronic application sent to all house presidents
Accountability Shadows are not graded
Each rep is responsible for their house events
Lack of accountability made planning events more difficult
Lack of trust
Contracts signed by all Greek Eco-Reps
Lack of education Greek shadows are not required to be
enrolled in the course
Events aligned with course speakers/topics
Eco-Reps are peer-to-peer educators
Lack of balance between getting interest and keeping the program serious and structured
Passive Campus
General sense of apathy at Lehigh “Lehigh Bubble”
Very active Greek social life
Greek students are leaders and involved in other activities
Lack of excitement or interest towards sustainability
Sustainability is relatively new at Lehigh
Moving forward More trainings before the year begins
Leadership skills
Bonding
Logistics of planning events
Improved recruitment More Greeks enrolled in course
All fraternities have a rep
Tailoring programs toward individual house needs
Increase educational value of events
Contact information General email: [email protected]
Teresa Chamberlain [email protected]
Houda Ferradji [email protected]
Twitter: @LUEcoReps