University of Nebraska-Omaha
Greek Ideals
Dear Members and Friends of the Greek Community at the University of Nebraska at Omaha,
This document, "Greek Ideals: A Foundation for the Future" is the result of considerable time and energy. UNO has had a long and rich relationship with its
collegiate fraternities and sororities. As an important component of the co-curricular programs for undergraduate students, Greek chapters have supported the
central mission of the University by providing enriched out-of-class learning experiences. Fraternities and sororities have existed at UNO since the late 1940 's
and are characterized by a tradition of involvement and leadership in campus life.
The relationship between the University and the Greek community is one that must be mutually beneficial. Greek chapters can enhance the quality of life for
students on campus by providing a range of opportunities for meaningful individual involvement and growth. Life-long commitment to a Greek organization can in
turn result in greater alumni involvement and service to the University. As long as Greek chapters enhance the mission of the institution, the relationship can
be characterized as mutually beneficial. However, some organizations have failed to regularly and predictably live up to the Greek values and principles articulated
by their founding members.
In 1990, the American Council on Education (ACE) examined Greek-letter organizations and published a document entitled Greek Organizations on the College Campus:
Guidelines for Institutional Action. It contained "an analysis, recommendations, and suggested strategies to help college and university leaders as they examine
Greek systems associated with their institutions and as they decide how they can best align these organizations with the institution 's educational mission and values"
(p. 1). The report went on to recommend, "If the host institution recognizes Greek organizations, recognition should be based on performance." The Greek Ideals
for the fraternities and sororities at UNO provide a way for chapters to measure their success, and for the University to support chapters in their efforts.
Supporting Greek life has been an important educational initiative for the University, and it will continue to be important. The Greek Ideals are not a way for the
University to punish fraternities and sororities, nor are they a method of removing the Greek community from UNO. Rather, they attempt to summarize and articulate
the values individual chapters express in their mission statements, creeds, and purposes. To some degree, all fraternities and sororities value the following
principles:
- Complementing the Academic Mission of the University
- Developing Leadership in Members
- Serving the Community
- Character Development
- Personal Development
- Community Building
- Life-long Friendships
By placing these principles as a priority, the Greek Ideals will allow the University to actively support fraternities and sororities as they strive to achieve
excellence. To achieve excellence, we encourage chapters to go above and beyond the listed expectations. The Ideals listed are only minimum requirements.
Chapters should strive to exceed the Ideal minimum requirements by submitting multiple programs for each Ideal.
This document is designed to further articulate the eleven principles embodied in the Greek Ideals. Tools are provided to enhance the "implementation" of the Ideals
as well as to provide a method for feedback regarding chapter success in each of the eleven areas.
We anticipate that all individuals associated with the Greek experience at UNO will work diligently to implement these Ideals; and, in turn, strengthen the Greek
community. We appreciate the support we've received and the devotion to the best ideals of the Greek experience.
Sincerely,
| Greek Advisor | Barbara Treadway-Janousek, Director |
| Student Organizations & Leadership Programs | Student Organizations & Leadership Programs |
Please click here for the full Greek Ideals Document:
Any comments or suggestions regarding these pages can be directed to the Greek Advisor at (402) 554-2711
