Mission and Focus Areas

Mission and Focus Areas

Mission:

Through collaboration with international organizations, alumni, and the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life at Mississippi State University fosters, a well-rounded college experience by providing membership development, academic support, and engagement opportunities.

In addition to this mission statement, the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life works with chapters to promote success in four primary areas: Academic Excellence, Chapter Advancement, Member Development, and Member Wellness. These four areas have been outlined by our office as the foundation of healthy fraternity and sorority chapters and advance the missions of each of our chapters in line with the Division of Student Affairs at Mississippi State University values and goals. Below is a description of each of the focus areas and how they align with the Division of Student Affairs and Mississippi State University.

Academic Excellence

  • Academic Excellence includes academic performance of the membership, supportive and accountability measures implemented by the chapter to promote academic performance, and the work of the chapter done to engage faculty and other university partners.

  • Components: Achievement, persistence, goal setting and progress, programming, accountability, faculty engagement, housing environment, and career exploration.

  • Division Goals: Student Learning

    • Leadership Development - increasing one’s ability to inspire a shared vision, act with integrity, and work collaboratively for positive change that benefits others

    • Well-being - the pursuit of a rewarding quality of life and a healthy and safe community

    • Social Responsibility - the commitment to positively impact the campus and larger communities

    • Developing Autonomy - demonstrating a capacity for independent thinking, decision making, and self-governance

    • Appreciating Diversity - recognizing, valuing, and welcoming the identities of all individuals

Chapter Advancement

  • Chapter Advancement includes the recruitment and/or intake efforts of an organization, as well as the retention and engagement of members throughout their career at the institution.

  • Components: Membership selection practices (non-discrimination, membership criteria, member education on practices), prospective member education, retention of membership, recruitment statistics (growth, council metrics), and roster management.

  • Division Goals: Student Engagement

    • Promote opportunities for student involvement in student organizations, volunteer service, health and wellness activities, student life, and university traditions

    • Expand leadership development programs to support active and innovative student leader communities

    • Develop diverse and inclusive communities on campus

    • Develop and improve facilities that support student programs, services, and activities

    • Increase opportunities for student engagement in local, regional, national, and global communities

Member Development

  • Member Development includes personal and professional development such as career readiness and networking, communication skills, diversity and inclusion, and personal values and leadership.

  • Components: Educational programming in diversity, communication, and interpersonal relationships; leadership development; member engagement; civic engagement; and development throughout the life of the member.

  • Division Goals: Divisional Effectiveness, Student Learning, and Communication & Technology

    • Leadership Development - increasing one’s ability to inspire a shared vision, act with integrity, and work collaboratively for positive change that benefits others

    • Social Responsibility - the commitment to positively impact the campus and larger communities

    • Developing Autonomy - demonstrating a capacity for independent thinking, decision making, and self-governance

    • Develop appropriate assessment processes to evaluate existing and future programs, services, facilities, and activities

    • Align resources to support existing and future programs, services, facilities, and activities

    • Increase and enhance visibility of programs, services, facilities, and activities

    • Increase and enhance methods of reaching students, faculty, staff, alumni, and other stakeholders

Member Wellness

  • Member Wellness includes a holistic approach to personal wellness including traditional risk management areas, stress management, and building healthy relationships.

  • Components: Accountability and self-governance, risk reduction education (hazing prevention, alcohol and other drugs, fire/life safety), proactive risk reduction efforts, and wellness programming (mental health, emotional well-being, healthy lifestyles).

  • Division Goals: Student Learning, Communication & Technology, and Student Engagement

    • Well-being - the pursuit of a rewarding quality of life and a healthy and safe community

    • Social Responsibility - the commitment to positively impact the campus and larger communities

    • Developing Autonomy - demonstrating a capacity for independent thinking, decision making, and self-governance

    • Increase and enhance visibility of programs, services, facilities, and activities

    • Increase and enhance the use of technology to support student learning and success

    • Develop and improve facilities that support student programs, services, and activities

    • Increase opportunities for student engagement in local, regional, national, and global communities