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The Advantages and Challenges of Incorporating Greek Life into an Eco-Rep Program. Presented by: Teresa Chamberlain and Houda Ferradji Lehigh University Greek Eco-Rep Coordinators . Agenda. University Profile History of our Eco-Reps Program Stats Current Structure Successes Challenges
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The Advantages and Challenges of Incorporating Greek Life into an Eco-Rep Program Presented by: Teresa Chamberlain and Houda Ferradji Lehigh University Greek Eco-Rep Coordinators
Agenda • University Profile • History of our Eco-Reps Program • Stats • Current Structure • Successes • Challenges • Moving Forward
Lehigh University • Private University in Bethlehem, PA • 4,869 undergraduates • 40% of undergraduates are members of Greek house • The Hill • 9 sororities and 17 fraternities on-campus • On-campus houses owned by Lehigh
History of our Eco-Reps Program • Pilot program established Fall 2010 • Green Fund • Sustainability Program • Met casually with few successful events • No Greek Houses • Expanded greatly Fall 2011 • Permanent Residential Services and sustainability funds • Course credit option • Met weekly with monthly events • Most first year and upperclassman dorms • Some Greek Houses
Statistics • Fall 2010 • 2 Residential Buildings • 12 Eco-Reps • Fall 2011 • 9 sororities, 6 fraternities • 18 Greek Eco-Reps • Spring 2012 • 8 sororities, 8 fraternities • 19 Greek Eco-Reps • Fall 2012 • 9 sororities, 6 fraternities • 34 Greek Eco-Reps
Structure Event planning • Second hour • Split into Greeks and residential halls • Group brainstorm of upcoming event • Delegate tasks and break into smaller groups Class • First hour • Guest speaker/lecture • Sustainable behavior change project
Successes • Tailored events • Measuring impacts • Outreach and incentives
Tailored Events • Planning events for best friends • Able to learn from mistakes • Planet Earth documentary shown outside • Water inSTALLment and jeopardy game • Transportation Survey • Energy Competition
Measuring Impacts • Waste Audits • Energy Competition data • Feedback survey at beginning and end of semester
Outreach and Incentives • No posting policies within houses • Platform at weekly chapter meetings • House email chain • Ability to make changes in our houses • Accreditation requirement • House points
Challenges • Recruitment • Accountability • Lack of education • Passive campus • Active Greek social life
Recruitment • Young program • Lack of visibility • Unresponsive Greek houses • Used the tight-knit Greek community to spread the word • Electronic application sent to all house presidents
Accountability • Shadows are not graded • Each rep is responsible for their house events • Lack of accountability made planning events more difficult • Lack of trust • Contracts signed by all Greek Eco-Reps
Lack of education • Greek shadows are not required to be enrolled in the course • Events aligned with course speakers/topics • Eco-Reps are peer-to-peer educators • Lack of balance between getting interest and keeping the program serious and structured
Passive Campus • General sense of apathy at Lehigh • “Lehigh Bubble” • Very active Greek social life • Greek students are leaders and involved in other activities • Lack of excitement or interest towards sustainability • Sustainability is relatively new at Lehigh
Moving forward • More trainings before the year begins • Leadership skills • Bonding • Logistics of planning events • Improved recruitment • More Greeks enrolled in course • All fraternities have a rep • Tailoring programs toward individual house needs • Increase educational value of events
Contact information • General email: LUEcoReps@Lehigh.edu • Teresa Chamberlain tac314@lehigh.edu • Houda Ferradji hof211@lehigh.edu • Twitter: @LUEcoReps