From the Editor
When fraternity and sorority founders identified "community engagement" as a core purpose, what did they intend? For some, it meant improving the human condition. For others, it translated into engaged citizenship. Still for other organizations, it denoted positive relationships with local community partners, city officials, and neighbors. In today's fraternity and sorority culture, chapters often use the number of service hours or the funds raised for a charitable organization to counter the neighbor noise complaint or the fact that their yard is trashed, rather than viewing interaction with the community as an opportunity to establish fraternal relevance, promote learning among members, and establish meaningful relationships with stakeholders.

This edition of Essentials explores the steps necessary to compel chapters to engage in meaningful service, to feel responsibility for addressing societal problems, and to engender a culture of committed citizenship in the cities where they reside. After reading the edition, what will you do differently to foster a culture of meaningful community engagement?

An "Alternative" Approach to Service Education

Six years ago, SUNY Plattsburgh began the Fraternity/Sorority Alternative Break (FSAB) program, a new approach to help fraternity/sorority members act and reflect upon the principle of service. Although the College already hosted ten annual alternative break trips, the students and administrators that initiated the FSAB believed there was unique potential in this project. The outcomes of the existing trips included student learning in the areas of leadership, civic responsibility, and appreciation of diversity/cultural issues. >>Read full article

Political Engagement in the Fraternal Realm: Supporting the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act

For the past several years, fraternity and sorority leaders have been involved in a Washington lobbying campaign to support federal legislation that will improve the experience of fraternity and sorority members. Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) members have a chance to be important players in supporting these efforts in 2009 by engaging with the leadership at their institution or organization, alumni/ae leaders, and student leaders. >>Read full article

Book Review: The American College Town

In higher education, partnerships are essential for the achievement of learning outcomes. We partner with other offices, organizations, or entities for support or funding. In the best of partnerships, we cross the line between student and academic affairs in order to meet students' needs in and outside the classroom. Author Blake Gumprecht (2008) identifies the American college town as a third partner that contributes to the college experience. In addition to the influences from both academic and student affairs, there is the town in which these partnerships occur. In his aptly titled work, The American College Town, Gumprecht documents the identifying features of college towns and explains the reasons for their development. >>Read full article

Fostering Ethical and Moral Development of Fraternity and Sorority Members through Service

Student affairs professionals have the daunting task of helping students develop as responsible, contributing citizens through their co-curricular experiences. Fraternities and sororities provide practitioners with the unique challenge of aligning the practices of these organizations with the mission of their institutions and organizations. These organizations have a long-standing history of engaging in high levels of risky behavior evidenced by alcohol and drug abuse, hazing practices, and sexual assault (Allan & Madden, 2008; Armstrong et al., 2005; Fraternal Information & Programming Group, 2008; and Kuh  et al. 1996 ). Indiana University (IU) is no exception. >>Read full article

Essentials Information
Essentials welcomes articles, ideas, and feedback from Association members throughout the year. Please contact Emily Perlow, 2009 Editor, or review the online submission guidelines for more information.

Essentials is a monthly educational e-newsletter provided to AFA members and subscribers. Member login is required to view articles. If you have misplaced your member number, please contact the Central Office.