Date of Award

1996

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Leadership Studies

Abstract

Greek organizations experienced a national revival in the late eighties. According to Mrs. Scott's figures, rush participation increased on sixty percent of campuses in 1995. However, in these times of negative publicity and litigation, nervous university administrators question the merit of the Greek system. In "The Survival of Greek Life: Concerns and Solutions" Robert Ackerman states, "The fact that change is necessary suggests that some fraternities and sororities are falling short of the ideals upon which they were founded." He observes, "Change, when it does occur, all too often appears to result from an attempt to avoid problems or from a need to lessen the negative impact of an existing problem" (78). Greek leaders at the University of Richmond are aware of the challenges facing their organizations; they want to address problems in the system before a state of crisis exists. The Panhellenic Council Executive Board, the governing body of the University of Richmond sorority system, is trying to change negative public perceptions and encourage participation in the system through a return to the basic values of the organizations.

Organizational renewal progresses through phases--commitment to change, a period of strategy and consensus building, the implementation of activities designed to create positive results, and the permanent establishment of new routines (Guy 155). The 1995 Rush Revision was one component of Panhellenic's vision of renewal through a return to the legitimate purposes of the Greek system. Change was achieved through the collaboration of the officers in the system. Although Panhellenic encountered resistance, their communication and leadership practices enabled followers to develop a more representative Rush and alter perceptions of their system.

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