The Association of Fraternity Advisors presented Dartmouth's Coed, Fraternity and Sorority system with its "Outstanding Change Initiative" award last month, recognizing the system's "tremendous progress and improvement" in the past year.
The award specifically highlights scholarship, educational programs, leadership development and risk management.
"These organizations are values-based social organizations," said Deb Carney, director of the CFS administration. "Sometimes people see just the social and not the values-based component, and we're seeing that shift."
CFS Assistant Director Megan Johnson said she emphasized the unique aspects of the Dartmouth Greek system in the application for the award.
"When you throw in the intricacies of Dartmouth -- keg registration, sophomore summer, sophomore recruitment, locals -- we were able to use some of them as strengths," Johnson said.
With the Student Life Initiative, which incited mass protests when it was unveiled in 1999, the college outlined six principles for the Greek organizations to adhere to: scholarship, brotherhood/sisterhood, service, inclusivity, accountability and leadership.
Acting Dean of the College Dan Nelson credited the award to this initiative.
"The biggest change is probably the fact that we have moved beyond what used to be called 'minimum standards.' I think we are now much more successful and effective in supporting the organizations in their work toward the achievement of the six principles of excellence," Nelson said.
According to Johnson, CFS has set aside individual time with each Greek organization to discuss each one's strengths and weaknesses.
"What I would like to stress is the hard work of everyone at the College. All of the administrators and the students are saying, We can do better than this," Johnson said.
Carney and Johnson said other improvements -- the establishment of seventh sorority Alpha Phi, more community service hours per house and rising house GPAs -- also factored into the award.
