University of Michigan
Fraternity and Sorority Community Achievement Expectations Program
2017-2018 Academic Year-End Report
Introduction
We value the opportunity to share information about our chapters and community with our stakeholders and partners. The purpose of this document is to provide a summary snapshot of the Achievement Expectations (AE) Program data from the previous academic year and provide some strategies for success and recommendations for improvement. Click here to access an in –depth report for each semester. Additionally, please feel free to set up a time to connect with a Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) staff member for further conversations.
As a reminder, we expect chapters to meet in each AE category by completing and submitting documents on time. The categories in the Achievement Expectations Program match our shared community values and align with specific organizational standards. Fraternity and Sorority Life would like to emphasize our commitment to collaborating with undergraduates, local advisors and volunteers, and inter/national organizations to ensure chapters at the University of Michigan are providing a healthy and well-rounded experience.
Overview of 2017 - 2018
Each year, Fraternity and Sorority Life staff evaluates and reviews the AE Program to make necessary changes to maximize efficiency, increase the accessibility and ease of participation, and more effectively assess the fraternity and sorority experience at Michigan. Below you will find strategies for success and recommendations for improvement as we reflect on the 2017 – 2018 academic year.
Strategies for Success
Fraternity and Sorority Life is committed to the AE Program’s growth and supporting our chapters to increase participation to better understand chapter culture and provide more specific support. Listed below are some of the strategies the FSL team has implemented to promote successful participation in the AE Program over the 2017 – 2018 academic year:
- Hired a full-time staff member dedicated to the assessment and implementation of the Achievement Expectations Program.
- Appointed, trained, and supported the first-ever four council AE Program representatives that communicated deadlines, answered questions, and directed councils to necessary information in efforts to support the overall understanding of the AE Program.
- Utilized social media to highlight chapter and council success, remind chapters of upcoming deadlines, and any other necessary AE Program information.
- Aligned the AE Program with annual recognition program to positively reinforce the great work happening in our community and encourage chapters to work towards a common goal. This also simplified the amount and type of reporting chapters needed to complete.
- Created a “programs-submitted” report that detailed the specific program submissions of each chapter. These reports were utilized in conjunction with chapter reports during one-on-one AE Program meetings.
- Presented about AE Program at council meetings to announce updates, address misunderstandings and provide clarification, and simulate submissions for the AE Program.
- Held AE office hours each semester and encouraged chapters to set up one on one meetings throughout the school year.
- Sent frequent emails to remind chapters of upcoming deadlines and share other pertinent information about the AE Program.
Recommendations for Improvement
The following recommendations will assist in the continuing improvement of the AE Program:
- Chapter advisors and local volunteers, consultants, and inter/national officers communicating regularly with appropriate Fraternity and Sorority Life staff about the AE Program and centering the AE Program during conversations with chapters to increase participation and promote the continuing establishment of healthy chapters. The monthly checklist provides a yearlong snapshot of the program and includes deadlines and submission details.
- Fraternity and Sorority Life staff will continue sharing progress reports and encourage meetings throughout the academic year to work individually with our chapters.
- Fraternity and Sorority Life will continue to utilize best practices to reinforce chapter and council success and effectively communicate AE Program information with all stakeholders.
Below you will find an overview of the participation and statistics gathered in the AE Program in the 2017 – 2018 academic year.