Winter Vacation

As finals wrap up and all begin to travel back home, I hope you enjoy the break. I will be gone for 2 weeks and taking a break from posting until Thursday, January 5th.

I pray that this season affords you the opportunity to reflect on all that we are blessed with in our community.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Student Leadership and Involvement Center!

The Route to Success

What do you notice about the image below?

The arrow ends in the same place. No wonder I am so tired. The ground travelled in the image in the right is significant.  It is filled with deviations from the intended course, but also forward movement.  Well, mostly forward movement.  As you look closer, you can see that sometimes the line doubles back upon itself. In both of the images, we see LEADERSHIP.

My most obvious example of the image above is parenting my two daughters. The route to that "success" is twisted and complex. One of my greatest desires is to complete the task well, finding success. Isn't that sentiment the same in student leadership positions? At the start of each semester, I ask fraternity and sorority presidents, "What do you want people to say about you when you finish?" The answers vary, but have a common theme around trying our best and being successful in moving the organization forward. Is there also a desire to enjoy the twisted and complex route to get there?

This week I was reading a chapter on change in preparation for teaching my Emerging Leaders class. I was reminded of a few simple truths. In considering the route to success, one consistent is the fact that change in occurring. (Leadership for a Better World, S. Komives, et al)

1. "Organic change involves recognizing that individuals and organizations are a part of an interconnected system." (p 128)

2. "Developing an appreciation of resistance is critical to making change." (p 131)

3. "Individuals and groups must also develop... comfort with ambiguity, confidence that change can happen..." (p 136)

Today, our new Interfraternity Council Executive Board Officers are being sworn in. It is my earnest hope that they take on this next year with the drive to accomplish their goals, but to also enjoy the journey. As they are sworn in, they will repeat the USD IFC Creed. As I consider the facets of this Creed, I am filled with a sense of appreciation. I am appreciative that fulfilling these promises will be a twisted and complex road, but one with a lot of learning along the way.

University of San Diego Interfraternity Council Creed

We, the undergraduate fraternity leaders of the University of San Diego,
Believe in the pursuit of education and the inspiration of maturity.
We, the InterFraternity Council, promise to serve as an international shrine of
brotherhood,
One that has passion for the welfare of traditions, principles and ideals,
One that is not passively virtuous, but stands aggressively for honesty, opposing
all lawlessness and vice, and
One that is generous with the faults of our brothers, as we wish them to be with ours.
We strive to provide the tangible and intangible aids necessary to encourage academic
achievement and the practice of academic integrity.
We believe in an exemplary standard for collegiate fraternal societies,
One that respects the dignity of all persons,
And one that is conducive to the formation of gentleman.

Peace.

USD is Growing - Welcome #8

After an extensive and thoughtful process, USD is pleased to announce the addition of our 8th Sorority.  Kappa Delta will join the 6 NPC groups and 1 multicultural sorority to be the 8th member of our Panhellenic Community in Fall 2012! Over the next few months, Kappa Delta representatives will be on campus, meeting with Panhellenic and preparing for their colonization.  As they are visiting, please welcome them and introduce yourself.

Welcome to our newest friends!

The following letter was sent to Kappa Delta this week:

The University of San Diego would like to extend an invitation to Kappa Delta to colonize in the Fall 2012 semester.  This decision was based upon the recommendation from our Panhelleinc Council Extension Committee and feedback from our University community.  On behalf of the University of San Diego and our Panhellenic Association, I would like to welcome Kappa Delta to our Greek community.

I understand that you have been in touch with Katy Cooper, Panhellenic Extension Committee Chair, regarding this decision.  It is our expectation that Kappa Delta will begin its colonization efforts in September 2012.  Please be in touch with Mandy Womack, Director of Student Organizations and Greek Life, as she will assist you with any planning and logistical needs.

Our Extension Committee was impressed by both organizations that presented on campus. As a result, I am supporting their recommendation to open USD for extension to Pi Beta Phi within the next five years, but no sooner than Fall 2014. Over the next few months, metrics will be developed for our use in determining the best time for considering another NPC addition to our community.  As a partner in creating a positive experience for our students, Kappa Delta will be a part of this conversation.

We are looking forward to establishing, as soon as possible, a network of local and national contacts with whom we will work to make the colonization a complete success.  We are looking forward to building a cooperative relationship with all concerned, even before the chapter is established.

We are excited by the growth of our sorority community.  Kappa Delta’s establishment will provide the opportunity for many more USD women to have the benefits and privileges of sorority membership.  The Panhellenic stands ready to assist in every way possible in the establishment of the chapter.  Please don't hesitate to call on us for whatever assistance we can provide.

Sincerely,

Cynthia Avery, Ed.D.

Assistant Vice President for Student Life