Greek Life

Yes. Hanover College is committed to a robust, modern, and thriving Greek life system with enhanced opportunities to increase both member recruitment and retention – for many generations to come.

Throughout its history, Greek life at Hanover College has changed many times to stay relevant and be prepared for the future. Changing student preferences in terms of housing, demographic shifts which require a proactive response, and financial issues of the current system, make now the right time.

Several trends in higher education influenced this direction. Most notably are the declining numbers of high school graduates, which makes recruitment efforts even more challenging. And the related trend of college investing in improved housing options to attract the next generation of student. Those interested are encouraged to read the Nathan Grawe book The Changing Demographics of Higher Education (2018).

In addition, the top two student housing amenities students want (nationally) are in-unit washer/dryer (79%) and own bathroom (68%) (Student Housing Business, 2018). And students desire more privacy and control over their personal living space (Association of Fraternity Advisors and EBI).

Trends in dining preferences also were examined during this process, including the increased desire for dining variety and choice. The need to accommodate allergies as well as vegan and vegetarian preferences is revolutionizing campus dining. By increasing scale and capacity, Hanover will be able to offer more variety to more students.

Hanover regularly benchmarks its programs and outcomes against several peer and competitor colleges.  Peer colleges from across the country were identified by faculty leaders and share similar characteristics to Hanover overall (small, liberal arts, rural, endowment size, etc.) but may or may not include Greek Life.  Competitor colleges are private colleges that have the most cross-applicants with Hanover, and they too may or may not have Greek Life.  These two lists include: Albion College, Alma College, Austin College, Bellarmine University, Butler University, Centre College, DePauw University, Franklin College, Juniata College, Randolph-Macon College, Transylvania University, University of Evansville University of Indianapolis, Washington & Jefferson College. As part of its study process, staff reviewed colleges from both lists that have Greek Life to understand different models, recent or planned changes, and trends, and in several cases interviewed their staff.  

Generally, yes. Our own trends show a gradual decline in Greek affiliation: approximately 80% affiliated in the 1990’s down to less than 50% today. In addition, the desire for independent/improved housing options on the rise. For example:

• 105 applications for 12 bed spaces in the new Stockton Family Townhomes for 2021-2022 academic year
• Approximately 60% of the applications were from rising seniors
• Two townhomes currently house a small number of senior Greek students who wanted a different experience than living in their Greek facility
• Approximate 70% of the housing wait-list requests are for suites/townhome/apartments, with singles as the second most requested

Hanover College is structured with a representative model with students and faculty having elected representatives to Board meetings, where such issues are discussed. Significant strategic decisions are made by the Board and the administration based on the long-term interests of the College, which typically do not affect current students. We are looking forward to engaging sophomores, first-year students, and future students during the implementation.

Yes. Hanover College principles include the following five pillars: Pursuit of Academic Excellence, Pursuit of Personal Excellence, Respect for One Another, Community Responsibility, and Accountability. The College and others acknowledge that it is not feasible for everyone to weigh in on every decision. Long-term, strategic decisions affect the future much more than they do the past or even the present. While ensuring that the College remains true to its mission, the Board of Trustees and the Administration remain focused on the future of the College and continue to lay the foundation for the next generation of students and alumni.

The College’s goal is to reach and maintain a total enrollment of 1,200 undergraduates by June 30, 2027. The new Greek Life model will support that goal by allowing us to continue to offer prospective students an enriching Greek Life experience while meeting their housing and dining preferences.

Yes. We are currently at about 50% of the student body being Greek affiliated, which has trended lower over the past 25 years. Our first goal is to stop the downward trend and hold at a minimum of 50%.

Hanover College will immediately be meeting with stakeholders to discuss the implementation which will begin in earnest in the Fall of 2023 and is expected to span over several years.

No. Chapter facilities will be designated for students who are members of each respective organization. Chapters will retain responsibility for filling residence rosters for both their respective chapter houses and townhomes. Townhome rosters may include unaffiliated students if the chapter so chooses.

Hanover College owns and will continue to own six houses and land. FIJI or Phi Delta Theta houses will remain independently owned.

No, the College will continue ownership of the six houses and land.

No. Hanover College continues to support an on-campus residential living experience for students that enhances community spirit, safety, wellbeing, and a robust, holistic College experience.

As with all strategic decision at Hanover, the financial impact must be considered. Stewards of any institution have a responsibility to consider those impacts and make decisions that are consistent with their mission and make financial sense. The current financial model is complex, but the bottom line is that the new model makes more financial sense, supports our mission, and ensures we are meeting the housing, dining, social, and development needs of both affiliated and unaffiliated students,

No, the College does not believe that membership recruitment or retention will be negatively affected under this model, as the chapters currently do not have the same arrangements. Membership is typically driven by relationships with other members. The new model removes barriers to membership created by changing student preferences for housing and dining.

Yes, chapter members will continue to have space in their facilities to perform and participate in their respective rituals.  This may be an option for the repurposed third-floor rack rooms if the chapter desires.

Yes. The houses that still have rack rooms will see those rooms renovated based on the chapter’s future need for space.

Yes, we would certainly welcome a historically black fraternity to campus should there be sufficient student interest. The College has not been approached by current students or a historically black fraternity to colonize on campus. Additionally, we have not received many requests for this from our men of color. AKA’s presence on campus is due largely to the work of recent graduates and strong current student interest.

Greek facilities are part of the College’s long-term master plan, aimed at strategically enhancing all campus infrastructure through completion of deferred maintenance, physical enhancements that meet the needs of present and future students, and investing in continued long-term maintenance. A team of stakeholders will oversee the stewardship of these facilities, including the Board of Trustees’ Committee on Grounds and Facilities, the Office of Business Affairs, Physical Plant supervisors, Greek Residence Managers, and additional Student Life staff dedicated to Greek Life.

Financing plans for both renovations and the new townhomes will be finalized over the next several months as the administration and the Board of Trustees consider several options. This process will include a campaign feasibility study with current and prospective donors to determine donor interest in the development of new housing.

With the early announcement of these plans, house employees have 18 months’ notice to determine how they wish to proceed. House directors, housekeepers, and cooks will have an opportunity to seek employment through Hanover College. The College will provide a matching severance for current chapter employees who do not end up working for the College.

Hanover College will employ and train a chapter member from each Greek House to act as the Greek Residence Manager for their respective house. Greek Residence Managers will perform administrative duties, such as work orders, key management, health and safety inspections, and roster maintenance. These positions will allow students to continue to benefit from the leadership and learning opportunities that accompany facility operations and management. Two additional professional Student Life members will be hired to support the Greek Residence Managers and offer support and training like the support and training that is currently provided to student Resident Assistants. These staff members will also be working with the respective councils to support and develop a stronger Greek Community.

In addition to training and supporting Greek Residence Managers for each chapter, the College will hire two additional Student Life staff members to oversee all aspects of Greek Life, including the physical and mental safety and health of student members. This model supports Greek members living in the proposed housing for seniors.

The chapters will continue to hold the responsibility of monitoring and enforcing chapter policies. They will work with chapter advisors on their internal accountability system to ensure compliance as they currently do. Hanover staff will focus on upholding Hanover-specific policies.

Like all changes, reactions are mixed, with some students frustrated about the direction and some students relieved or excited. There are current students who do not like the change for a variety of reasons. A student forum was hosted and multiple conversations with Greek chapters and individual students have been held and will be ongoing to provide information, answer questions, and address concerns. Other students have embraced the plan and are eager to move forward with its implementation. Ultimately, the enhancements have been researched and designed with future students and their preferences in mind, and those future students will experience the impact of these changes most as we gradually implement the enhancements over the span of several years.

Yes, we strongly believe so. Renovations to current chapter houses will provide affiliated students with housing options more closely aligned with their preferences, as well as with housing options across campus. New Greek housing will provide upper class affiliated students with more independent living options. They will also address the accessibility challenges present at many current chapter houses. All students – both affiliated and unaffiliated – will benefit from increased culinary offerings from Parkhurst Dining Services because of the new model.

Hanover College is not prioritizing Greek houses over other campus facilities, and the College is focused on making more of the campus fully accessible. As a nearly 200-year-old campus, many of our facilities are difficult if not impossible to retrofit. Current Greek houses present significant challenges to make them accessible. The new options would resolve that issue.

Yes, we have confidence that Parkhurst Dining will be able to meet the dietary needs of all our students, and that is the expectation we have set. The increase in students with meal plans through Parkhurst Dining will result in additional revenue that will be directed to additional staff, additional dining space, and more dining options for all students.

Yes. In addition to being able to use all the campus dining facilities, Greek chapters will be able to customize an in-house catered meal schedule that meets their needs.  Plans are underway to extend the main dining room to include the existing Employee Dining Room. A certain number of meals will be catered and served to each chapter house throughout the week to ensure that the shared dining experience is maintained for each chapter and that the campus dining experience remains efficient and enjoyable for all students.

Hanover College engaged with a Greek Alumni working group from the Board of Trustees, 80% of whom are Greek affiliated. This group had the task of honoring tradition while considering the future and needs of the future students at Hanover College. We certainly acknowledge we could have done a better job engaging more alumni voices during the process.

The Greek Life Alumni Committee will have an active role with the implementation of the new model. They will be engaged throughout the implementation and will be encouraged to provide input and assist with the implementation.

There are multiple ways for alumni to support their respective chapter houses and students in the months and years to come. Alumni can stay informed through official College updates in the Hanoverian, @Hanover, and other communication channels. Alumni are also encouraged to get involved with your respective chapter, and to take advantage of opportunities to visit the house during Homecoming. In addition, alumni can share internship and job opportunities with current student members, serve as a guest speaker at chapter leadership events, and help current alumni volunteers.