“Having robust Greek life is just one component of campus life. Rightfully so, it’s the driving factor in our campus life here at Prairie View A&M University,” is what assistant director for the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Denise Simmons said upon announcing the return of Membership Intake Process this spring.
Miss PVAMU Tiffany Ward said, “I think that it’s very important for the student body to remain united and maintain the strong morale we’ve built since Greek life was suspended.”
After being suspended for more than a year, the MIP process makes its return to PVAMU with several modifications.
The new 2.75 requirement is only temporary, as students looking to participate in the ensuing MIP process will be expected to maintain at 2.8 GPA.
The new changes also mandate students to complete five hours of community services prior to applying for the 2011 intake process, which will be raised to 15 hours.
Simmons said, “One of the tenets of being in a fraternity or sorority is service, and the other is scholarship. Students who participate in the process should be striving to do their absolute best. We’ve noticed in past years students who participated in the process have a tendency to let their grades slip.”
Students will also have to attend at least one Greek Life Perspectives Workshop, a nine-hour course designed to develop clarity about the MIP process and being a member of a Greek-lettered organization.
There will be nine opportunities to attend the weekend workshops beginning Jan. 22. Any student looking to participate in any workshop must be prepared to pay a $49 nominal fee.
After completing the course, students will be issued a certificate of compliance and have their names included in PVAMU’s MIP Program Database, which will serve as a clearing house for all organizations.
Associate Vice President for the Office of Student Affairs Miron P. Billingsley said, “We have a lot of work to do. Our organizations are supposed to set a standard for students to follow. It starts with them, so we really need them to step up.”
The return of Greek life means all registered National Pan-Hellenic Council and Council of Student Organizations who are not under any restrictions from the MIP process can conduct an intake process.
Senior political science major Paul Chaney said, “I think Greek life adds to campus participation and encourages the PVAMU student morale. I say even those who haven’t been Greek for the two years, if you didn’t have the leadership capabilities then, being Greek won’t change that now.”
The Spring 2010 probate show will be held in early April in the Baby Dome.