wpjohnst@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

Implementing Greek life at CMU is a project for many people, but it is students who play the largest role in determining whether or not CMU will incorporate sororities and fraternities into university culture.

CMU Vice President of Student Services John Marshall said the next step is to reach out to the different chapters, which will help the university choose what organizations will fit with the university.

“Greek life has potential to have one more niche for students to get involved,” Marshall said. “If we want it to be successful, we have to make it what we want and reflect on who we are.”

Marshall and ASG gathered information about Greek life, surveyed students and created focus groups. The results showed that students favored the presence of sororities and fraternities.

“It will be a source of leadership opportunity, a healthy way to meet people, it will hold students to academic standards and will provide positive peer accountability,” Marshall said.

Kappa Sigma is a colony looking to achieve chapter status at CMU. Two sororities are coming together as well, though they are still in the early stages.

Junior political science major Paiton Howery was vice president of member services for Pi Beta Phi at University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. She attended CMU as a freshman and recently returned to campus in January.

“The campus has really grown and has a very diverse group of students,” Howery said. “Having a sorority like Pi Beta Phi on campus is great because it’s nice to find a group to get involved with on campus. It’s great experience to put on a resume. It’s good networking and shows employers that you work well in groups, that you have volunteer experience and that you know how to work with others to plan and organize events.”

When she arrived at CMU, Howery contacted the local Pi Beta Phi alum group asking for help. She then contacted the regional director, whom she worked with while at UCCS, and has a scheduled meeting with the National Panhellenic Conference, the umbrella organization for many sororities.

“The NPC will decide if they want Pi Beta Phi to be established at CMU,” Howery said. “If so, they will let me know how many girls we need to become a chapter. Then we’ll begin to volunteer with philanthropic organizations such as FirstBook (Pi Beta Phi’s primary charity, promoting children’s literacy) and begin raising money.”

CMU business sophomore Karri Richardson is also working to establish Zeta Tau Alpha, which she was a member of at Missouri University.

“There are lots of activities we do and we will provide community service throughout Grand Junction,” Richardson said.

Marshall is uncertain how many more steps are required to implement Greek life, but he and involved students are adamant on creating a successful Greek culture on campus.

“My hope is that by the end of the spring term, we have visited with organizations and we can start colonizing by next fall,” Marshall said.

For more information on joining Pi Beta Phi, email Howery at howerypaiton@yahoo.com. For information on Zeta Tau Alpha, email Richardson at kmrichar@mavs.coloradomesa.edu.