What is the purpose of standards in any organization or industry? I often think about the validity of enforcing standards in certain industries. For some, such as in the oil industry, healthcare, the environment that are invested heavily in the public interest, it is imperative that guidelines exist. On the other hand, there are other industries that are often overlooked that perhaps should have a more rigid structure of standards in place. The Greek system seems to be a prime candidate.
Through countless interviews I have encountered with executive directors, the NIC, and university officials, it seems that everyone is aiming for Greeks to have standards. The problem is that the organizations do not know how to go about creating them. Many universities already have standards for their campus’ Greek system and employ Greek advisors to enforce them.
Accreditation allows National Greek Organizations to understand where they are in comparison to other organizations. Just as accreditation in other industries allows consumers to know which companies are trustworthy and following guidelines or protocols, the same method should be carried over to potential students looking to join a fraternity. Is your organization looking for ways to make good on the promises you offer about your Fraternity?
