March 2006

Briefly speaking: Leadership course for Greeks

Kappa Sigma members (left to right) Matt Mullen, Nick Auerbach, Patrick Southern and Dan Villarreal work on signs for Rush next quarter. (Karin Higgins/UC Davis)

While college is a training ground for young minds, it is also the place where many students learn to become leaders. Those skills are not necessarily inherent or may need to be developed, so students may opt to take leadership courses.

For the eight percent of undergraduates involved in the Greek system of fraternities and sororities, the Student Programs and Activities Center teaches a two-unit Greek leadership class (EDU 160).

"Leadership opportunities are a big value in the Greek system," says Tiffany Mimms, interim program coordinator for the center. "This class offers students a chance to get an assessment on their leadership style and exposes them to some issues in the Greek community."

This course, offered once or twice a year on a pass/no pass basis, brings guest lecturers from various campus departments and outside organizations to discuss models of leadership. Speakers include officers from the city of Davis Police Department, the Women's Resources and Research Center, and the Campus Violence Prevention Program.

Students also undergo training to learn how to manage a safe party and how to intervene when alcohol abuse occurs.

By engaging in constructive conversation on issues brought up in class -- from gender relations to recruitment and event planning -- students are better prepared to participate in problem-solving strategies and learn how to build alliances with other student leaders, organizations and campus departments.

"This class provides students the opportunity to better understand their role as a leader in their organization and the chance to network with members of other Greek chapters to build a sense of community," says Dan Villarreal, a fraternity member who took the class last year and now serves as a teaching assistant. "Leaders need (not only) to understand the personal implications of being in that role but also have tools and training to be safe and have fun."

Top of page

Return to previous page