Finding a Mutual Mission

1. Finding a Mutual Mission Jesuit Values and Fraternity / Sorority Life Eric Immel and Kirstin Leih JASPA 2010

2. Mission Possible! • Today’s outline: • A brief history / synopsis of Jesuit Education • A brief description of institutionally adapted Jesuit values (Creighton and SLU, specifically) • A brief history of Greek-lettered organizations (GLO) • A look at various Fraternity and Sorority missions, creeds, and values • A discussion of the parallels between GLO values and Jesuit Values • An argument for the benefit of Greek Life at Jesuit Institutions

3. But First… • Turn to the person next to you and discuss why you are here: • Interest in Greek Life • Greek Life falls under responsibilities. • Considering adding Greek Life to community. • Brand new area of information • Qualms/reservations about Greek Life at Jesuit campuses. • Other?

4. What is Jesuit Education? • Collectively, let’s talk Jesuits for a second. • Who is Ignatius? • A. The founder of the Society of Jesus. • Who are the Jesuits? • A. The Jesuits are brothers and priests within the Society of Jesus. Their order was founded by Ignatius in 1541. • When did they get into education? • A. The first Jesuit School was founded in 1545. The first American Jesuit school was Georgetown College (1789), founded by John Carroll. • Where does Jesuit education stand today? • A. Today, there are over 2,000 Jesuit educational institutions, including 356 high schools and over 200 post-secondary universities, colleges, institutes, and centers around the world.

5. What is Jesuit Education? • What defines Jesuit education? • Hans-Peter Kolvenbach (1986) gives us quite a list if characteristics…

6. What is Jesuit Education? • Jesuit Education: • Is world-affirming • Is focused on the formation of individuals • Is permeated by a religious dimension • Is an apostolic instrument • A dialogue between faith and culture • Shows care and concern for each individual • Promotes life-long openness to growth • Is values-oriented • Encourages realistic knowledge, love, and self-acceptance • Uses Christ as the proposed model for human life • Utilizes pastoral care • Includes prayer and worship • Requires active life commitment • Provides education in the service of faith that does justice • Forms men and women for and with others • Has a particular concern for the poor • Is an apostolic instrument in service of the church • Prepares students for active participation in the church • Pursues excellence in formation • Is a witness to excellencestresses lay-Jesuit collaboration • Relies on a strong community of teaching staff, administration, the Jesuit community, governing boards, parents, current and former students, and benefactors • Relies on the school structure • Is a ‘system’ of schools • Can adapt to achieve the purposes of Jesuit Education • Assists in professional training and ongoing formation

7. how do we focus that? • Most (by that I mean ALL) Jesuit Universities have taken these characteristics in some capacity and molded them into a mission statement. • At Creighton, the major components of our mission include that we’re: • Catholic • Jesuit • Comprehensive • Dedicated to students and learning • Research-oriented • At Saint Louis University, the major components of our mission include that we’re: • Catholic • Jesuit • Focused on teaching, research, and service to the community

8. Mission and Values • Buzz words and phrases from Creighton’s Mission: • “pursuit of truth in all its forms” • “directed to the intellectual, social, spiritual, physical and recreational aspects of students' lives and to the promotion of justice.” • “reflect on transcendent values” • “service to others” • “importance of family” • “inalienable worth of each individual” • “appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity” • Buzz words and phrases from SLU’s Mission: • “pursuit of truth for the greater glory of God and for the service of humanity” • “innovative scholarship and effective teaching” • “maintain and improve the quality of life for all persons” • “creates a sense of community that facilitates their development as men and women for others”

9. Mission and Values • What about our student organizations? • Student Government • Residence Life-based orgs. • Sports Clubs • Student Organizations • Student Media

10. History of Greek Life in the United States • The First: Phi Beta Kappa, founded at William & Mary in 1776 • Motto: “Love of wisdom, guide of life” • Social groups founded largely in the 19th Century, and focused on ritualistic traditions (handshakes, mottos, badges, ceremony, seals, etc.) • Greek housing began in the mid-19th Century as a response to lacking facilities at Universities—began as boarding houses where students lived and took meals • Major social issues began to rise post-WWII, but major risk-management issues within Greek Life have existed since their inception. • Since the 1980’s, Fraternity and Sorority life has been going through serious movements of self-appraisal, to refocus on values, development, and building bonds of friendship rooted in tradition

11. Mission and Values • From the values statements of NPC (National Panhellenic Council) Organizations: • “To find satisfaction in being, rather than seeming, thus strengthening in us the higher qualities of the spirit; to prepare for service and learn the nobility of serving, thereby earning the right to be served;” – Zeta Tau Alpha Creed • To welcome the opportunity of contributing to the world's work in the community where I am placed because of the joy of service thereby bestowed and the talent of leadership multiplied. – Purpose of Alpha Delta Gamma • To my mind, Growth; To myself, Faith; That I may walk truly In the light of the Flame. – Delta Zeta Creed • To reverence God as our Maker, striving to serve Him in all things.To minister to the needy and unfortunate.To practice day by day love, honor, truth.Thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit and reality of Phi Mu – Phi Mu Creed

12. Mission and Values • From the values statements of NIC (National Interfraternity Conference) Organizations: • “The belief in God is essential to our welfare.” –Delta Sigma Phi Preamble • “…who thinks of the rights and feelings of others rather than his own…” -Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The True Gentleman • “…devotion to the cultivation of the intellect, unsullied friendship, and unfaltering fidelity as objects worthy of the highest aim and purpose…” –Beta Theta Pi’s Constitution • “…to promote scholarship, to diffuse culture, to develop character in the service of God and mankind…” –the Creed of Sigma Pi • “I believe that I am honor bound to strengthen my character and deepen my integrity; to counsel and guide my Brothers who stray from their obligations; to respect and emulate my Brothers who practice moderation in their manners and morals; to be ever mindful that loyalty to my Fraternity should not weaken loyalty to my college, but rather increase devotion to it, to my country, and to my God.”-The Creed of Phi Kappa Psi

13. Mission and Values • From the values statements of NPHC and NALFO • "Finally, the great end of Sigma is service, service not only for the Fraternity, but for the general welfare of the society in which we live... symbols have no real meaning or function until they are put into everyday practice.... Symbols do not make the man, but are meaningful only when the interpretation of these become dynamic factors in determining everyday behavior." - Phi Beta Sigma • Recognizing our responsibility to the progression of a positive global community, we stress the importance of morals, ethics, and education in our daily lives so that we serve the needs of our neighbors through a mutual respect and understanding of our varying cultures – Sigma Lambda Gamma Vision Statement

14. Congruence of organizational and Institutional Values • Where are the parallels? • Service • Servant Leadership • Learning and Scholarship • Care for Others • Holistic Development • Values Development and Congruence • Spirituality • Others?

15. Values In Action • What Does This Look Like? • Saint Louis University • Campus Minister for Greek Life • Greek Bible Study • All-Greek Spring Break Mission Trip • Leadership Development Programming grounded in Servant Leadership Model • Creighton University • Emerging Greek Leaders Program • Live Active Greek Wellness Program • Greek Measure • Campus Collaboration • What Does This Look Like on Your Campus?

16. Connecting Our Values in Today’s Society • Where Do Our Students Struggle With This? • (Insert Horror Stories Here)

17. UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES • Utilizing both a student development framework and a values conversation within the context of both the university AND the fraternity/sorority. • Teaching students to Live the Ritual • Just as we teach them to Live the Mission • Ritual vs. ritual – How do we make our Ritual our ritual? • The wedding vs. the marriage • Creating partnerships with National Fraternities and Sororities • They recognize the Values of Jesuit Education. • Shared opportunities for impact.

18. Conclusion • THANKS!