( Xi Chapter) |
Collegians Changing Culture Through Leadership
In the glare of intense local and national media, Gamma
Phi Betas are among Greek leaders on many campuses who
are taking action to eradicate a dangerous drinking
culture. At the University of Idaho, leaders of Xi Chapter
joined other sorority and fraternity leaders on their
campus last month at the NIC (North-American Interfraternity
Conference) Alcohol Summit to study risky drinking behavior.
"We all took a pledge to be committed to seeing
a change in the atmosphere of our campus," said
Andrea Walker, President of Xi Chapter, who attended
with chapter sisters, Bridget Pitman, Panhellenic Delegate,
and Shannon Hohl, Personal and Chapter Enrichment Chair.
They learned that the pressure undergraduates feel is
not necessarily due to hazing, as the public is led
to believe, but instead to an overall peer expectation.
The standard for socialization on college campuses for
all students is alcohol-related. Drinking establishments
are plentiful and are located near student housing;
the temptation for underage experimentation is always
present. What seems to differentiate some groups from
others is leadership.
In Xi Chapter, the women have individual goals and as
a chapter, reinforce and empower each other in pursuit
of those goals. This is what sorority and fraternity
founders had in mind when forming Greek societies. Regardless
of the challenges of the world, they wanted a group
where excellence would be revered, tenacity fostered
and strength derived from the support of like-minded
colleagues. Consistently the chapter with the highest
scholastic average on this campus (most recently at
3.42), Xi Chapter attracts women who are personally
motivated and who take responsibility for their success.
They take a stand against reckless drinking behavior
that is making headlines for Greeks and advocate for
a culture change to improve the campus community. Their
leadership truly sets them apart.
Andrea says that she remains in contact with mentors,
group leaders, the Director of Student Activities and
the Moscow Police Department to keep momentum going
from the recent summit. "The weekend was just the
beginning steps of making all of our innovations and
ideas come to life. It is still an ever-developing process
and will need time to solidify," she said. We know
the Gamma Phi Betas at Idaho will be leading this change
as they carry out the resolution adopted at the summit
to . . . "
not tolerate high-risk drinking .
. . to hold each other accountable for our actions,
as well as the actions of all Greek chapter members."
If you or your chapter would like more information about
the summit, please
contact
us.
