International association recognizes CFS organizations for change,
initiative
The Association of Fraternity
Advisors (AFA) presented Dartmouth with the Outstanding Change Initiative
award during a conference in New Orleans on Dec. 1. The award is given annually
to an institution that has made "tremendous progress and improvement in
their fraternity/sorority community within the past year," according to
the AFA, an international organization with over 1,400 members. The AFA exists
to provide resources, recognition, and support for professionals who advise
students in Greek letter organizations.
PHOTO COURTESY AFA
From left: Megan Johnson, assistant director of CFS Administration; Deborah
Carney, assistant dean of Residential Life and director of CFS Administration;
Ron Binder, president of the Association of Fraternity Advisors (AFA); and
Zachary Nicolazzo, a residential life community director for the Russell Sage
Cluster of student residence halls and a CFS advisor, at the AFA conference in
New Orleans. (Photo courtesy AFA)
|
"I'm delighted to know that the AFA chose this distinguished award to
recognize the sustained hard work of my colleagues in the Office of Residential Life, the
student leadership of the Coed,
Fraternity and Sorority (CFS) system, and the many committed alumni
advisors and other volunteers," says Dan Nelson '75, acting dean of
the College. "We've come a long way in the past few years because of this
kind of effort and commitment to the positive values that characterize our CFS
community at its best."
Deborah
Carney, assistant dean of residential life and director of CFS
administration, says Dartmouth received the award in large part because of the
strength of action plans, which are developed every year by each Greek letter
organization. "The plans include clear, measurable goals in areas relating
to the organizations' six guiding principles: scholarship,
brotherhood/sisterhood, service, inclusiveness, accountability, and
leadership," says Carney. "These principles and the action plans help
students manage by objectives, which is so important."
This award follows the 2005 decision by the Dartmouth Board of Trustees to
end the moratorium on the creation of new Greek letter organizations because of
improvements in the CFS system. This highlight was noted in the application for
the award, as well as other positive trends, such as CFS students' high grade
point averages; their increased hours of community service, and a growth in
students joining CFS organizations. "The dedication of so many CFS
students to seek greatness and to challenge the status quo is at an all time
high," read a portion of the application.
Also at the conference, Zachary
Nicolazzo, a residential life community director for the Russell Sage
Cluster and a CFS advisor, received an Outstanding Volunteer award. Nicolazzo
was honored for his work as a member of the editorial board that oversees
Essentials, the newsletter of the AFA. In this role, Nicolazzo
contributed articles on creating a positive culture around Greek life and
oversaw the production of a newsletter issue focused on men and
masculinity.
Greek letter organizations have been an integral component of Dartmouth's
residential and social life for over 160 years. From two Greek letter societies
in 1842, the system has grown in numbers and diversity over the years. There
are currently 16 fraternities, nine sororities, and three coed organizations on
campus.
By STEVEN J. SMITH
|
RSS/XML Feed