Spring 2021 Summary Report

Background & Summary Stats

The Chapter Semester Report is sent out to all organizations in Black Greek Council, Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council and United Greek Council at the end of every semester with the purpose of collecting data about the chapters and collectively, the councils.

  • 67 chapters responded to the chapter semester report survey for Spring 2021
    • 4 Black Greek Council chapters
    • 25 Interfraternity Council chapters
    • 20 Panhellenic Council chapters
    • 18 United Greek Council chapters
    • 5,149 members total in reporting chapters

Covid-19 Impact

Covid-19 continues to have an immense impact on the Greek community. The Spring 2021 semester allowed chapters to continue developing virtual operation methods. Furthermore, COVID-19 safety measures and increased vaccination rates began to open the door to in-person engagement opportunities.

  • Difficulties faced:
    • Most chapters had to continue running all programs on online platforms, causing difficulty in fundraising and maintaining chapter involvement.
    • Other hurdles caused by Covid-19: recruitment challenges, difficulty filling chapter house to capacity, and member resignation.
  • Accommodations made by chapters for their members:
    • Many chapters accommodated their members by reducing or refunding dues and allowing members to partake in inactive membership.
    • Other accommodations: flexibility with membership requirements, holding meetings on online platforms, accommodating to members who remained at home, and a focus on health and wellness.

Philanthropy & Service

Philanthropy and community service are a foundational pillars of fraternities and sororities.

  • 145 philanthropic events were hosted in Spring 2021
  • Total service hours: 10,133 hours
  • Fraternity and sorority contributions to Illinithon: $12,390.45
  • Overall Greek philanthropic contribution in Spring 2021: $131,772.13
  • Council highlights:
    • Panhellenic Council Philanthropy Total: $80,481.59
    • United Greek Council Service Hours per Member: 5.87 hours

Member Development Programming

Member development and member engagement are important to the relationships of members and their organizations.

  • 205 membership development programs coordinated in Spring 2021
    • Most common program topics: professional development & career readiness and current social issues
    • Other programs: financial management, diversity and inclusion, etiquette, leadership development, and lifelong membership.

Risk-Prevention Programming

Risk-prevention remains a top priority of fraternities and sororities on and off campus.

  • 160 risk-prevention programming events were hosted in Spring 2021
    • Covid-19, sexual assault, and mental health issues were the most prominently discussed topics
    • Other programs: alcohol use, drug use and abuse, eating disorders/body image issues, hazing, and campus safety.

Chapter Recognition

Chapter recognition is an important component of chapter operations to ensure that members feel appreciated in their organizations.

  • 188 total strategies of chapter recognition were reported.
    • 76% of chapters incorporated recognition in chapter meetings as a member recognition strategy.
    • Other strategies used: public recognition, chapter points, monetary incentives or scholarships, awards, and other rewards such as gift cards.

Academics

  • Academic Programming: Academic programming events emphasize the importance of and offer strategies to achieve academic success.
    • 115 total academic programming events hosted
      • 69% of chapters hosted academic programming teaching time management
      • Other programs: study skills and test taking.
  • Academic Resources: Fraternities and sororities work hard to ensure that they are providing their members with the necessary resources to excel academically.
    • 182 total academic resources were utilized in Spring 2021
      • 74% of chapters utilized chapter-designated study spaces.
      • Other resources utilized: reducing social privileges, creating personalized academic plans, offering subsidized tutoring and academic mentor programs.
  • Academic Recognition and Accountability: When asked about their scholarship plan, the organizations detailed their specific strategies they utilize to help strong performers continue to achieve, and to support members who are struggling.
    • Many chapters offer scholarships provided by the organizations’ national organizations, as well as chapter-sponsored scholarships.
    • Other strategies used: incentivizing academic achievements and improvements with gift cards, partial or total reimbursement for tutors, mentorship programs between active and new members, using chapter points as an academic incentive (e.g., GPA and A’s earned factoring into chapter points totals).

Download: Spring 2021 Summary Report (pdf)