Issue date: 7/17/08 Section: News

Media Credit: John Dale Kara Koloini sat down with Nick Zuniga, marketing and outreach coordinator for Texas A&M's Greek Life department, and discussed how Zuniga supports Aggies and what changes are being made to Greek Life. [Click to enlarge]

1. What is your position within the Greek Life department, and what does that entail?

I serve as the Coordinator of Marketing & Outreach for the department. My role is to expand the communication efforts of the department and the 56 organizations we support. I do this through a variety of means including The Battalion, iTunes U, national Greek organization magazines, professional publications and general grassroots and word of mouth marketing. I have a degree in journalism and public relations, so I get to do what I truly love with students who have a vested interest and passion for Greek Life.

2. What services and support does your department provide to the 4 councils it oversees, the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC), the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC)?

Because of our open-door policy with students, we like to say, "There is no issue we can't attempt to tackle." Our team of five professional staff provides support in the areas of academics, proactive risk management, leadership development, community & alumni outreach, marketing & recruitment techniques and financial budgeting. As staff members, we strive to be advocates for the Greek community by facilitating collaborative relationships and communication between the students, the campus, the community, local volunteers, and national or international headquarters. Our mission is to ensure chapters recognize that personal and group accountability is maintained through continuous improvement and peer governance.

3. Are the Greek Councils making any changes in policies or traditions for the upcoming recruitment season?

Yes. The IFC has adopted a formal registration process where potential new members are required to register online prior to recruitment (http://ifc.tamu.edu) and pay a registration fee. This fee covers some one-time council costs for the new member and provides them with all the necessary information they need to make a qualified choice. The CPC is utilizing a new curriculum for the training of Rho Gammas, the women who guide potential new members through the rush process, and recruitment staff. This new curriculum focuses on values-based recruitment and provides specific training on skill sets that these women can use to help potential new members find a place in the community. CPC is on track to have a record number of women register for the process, and the women in the community could not be more excited to get to know these potential new members, as they find their new home. The MGC is once again having Bloc Recruitment, an opportunity to see presentations and performances from all of the chapters in the council. The NPHC has no new changes this year.

4. Since Greek Life is relatively young at Texas A&M, comparative to most southern universities, is your department making efforts to increase the Greek population and its involvement on campus?

We actually have the second largest number of Greek organizations in the Big 12 and are in the Top 5 in membership. With 11 percent of 35,000 students being members of a fraternity or sorority, these students are the largest conglomeration of students on campus today. The most significant impact of Greek students isn't philanthropy or academic success, it's that Greek students are active in most of the 800 plus student organizations on campus. Though Greeks may have a strong affiliation to their respective organizations, they realize that here we're Aggies first and there are many opportunities to take advantage of with regards to leadership and making a positive impact on campus. We would certainly love to and strive constantly to get more students involved in the community. However, the primary mission of the department is not to increase numbers, rather we want to provide quality programming, resources and support that help members of the community have a values-based leadership experience that will stay with them not only during their time at Texas A&M, but far beyond it.

5. Why should incoming Aggies consider becoming involved with Greek Life?

Short and simple: To get involved and find a home at A&M. Our students tell us day in and day out that their Greek experience has allowed them to find a home and become more involved at A&M. Being Greek is an amazing tradition and part of the Aggie experience. Just like the Corps of Cadets, SGA, Fish Camp and the many other organization opportunities, we exist to enhance the Aggie way of life. We're here to make Aggieland a better place for our more than 35,000 students. I think we do a great job of that each and every day.

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