MGA Greek Life Information - Middle Georgia State University

Middle Georgia State University (MGA) seeks to expand the Student Life offerings of
the institution to include Greek Life. There are currently no Greek organizations at
MGA. You are receiving this letter as an invitation to contact us regarding your Greek
letter organization. This letter includes some biographic and demographic information
about Middle Georgia State University which you may find useful in considering expansion to our institution.
Mission
The mission of Middle Georgia State University is to serve the educational needs of a
diverse population through high quality programs connected to community needs in a
global context and to serve as a leader for the intellectual, economic, and cultural life of
the region.
General
MGA has approximately 7,500 students and is the third largest Georgia University
south of Atlanta. MGA offers five campus opportunities for students in Macon,
Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins. Macon, Cochran, and Eastman are
residential campuses. Dublin and Warner Robins are commuter. Many students attend
classes on more than one campus.
MGA currently offers 17 bachelor’s degrees, 34 associate’s degrees, and 18
certificate programs. The University has been approved to begin Masters programs in
IT and Nursing beginning Fall 2015.
MGA has recently been approved to compete in the National Association of
Intercollegiate Athletics. Our athletic teams include baseball and softball as well as
men’s and women’s basketball, tennis, and soccer. The University also has a very
successful club football team which has been the South Atlantic Conference
Champions for two consecutive years.
Why Greek Life?
There are many reasons that Middle Georgia State University is planning to expand Student Life to include Greek Life.
1. To enhance the Student Life program at MGA.
2. To increase student retention, progression, and graduation.
3. To strengthen alumni relations.
4. To improve community relations.
5. To remain competitive with other institutions.
Timeline
MGA would like to promote the expansion of Greek Life to take place beginning
Fall 2015. The following tentative timeline outlines the University’s plans:
September 2014
October-December 2014
January-March 2015
April 2015
June-July 2015
September 2015
Student focus groups
Campus visits from Greek letter organizations
Finalize Greek Life governance structure and risk management protocols
Must know which Greek letter organizations will be expanding
Greek Life promotion at summer orientations
Greek Life recruitment/information sessions
MGA Greek Life Core Values - “Greatness in Action”
Integrity: We will conduct ourselves with a sense of integrity – understanding
that integrity is defined by the action of moral and ethical decision-making.
Education: We will contribute to the educational environment of the University –
promoting among our peers that academic excellence should be driving force in
all our actions.
Service: We will act with a sense of service to ourselves, our brothers/sisters,
and our world – appreciating that our action in service is a catalyst for progress.
Leadership: We will lead with a sense of purpose – accepting that leadership is
both a privilege bestowed by our peers and an action carried out by those
entrusted with it.
Cochran Campus
Middle Georgia State University would
like to promote and offer Greek Life on
the Cochran Campus at this time for the
following reason:
 Cochran has been marketed as our
“Freshmen Friendly Campus.”
 It offers ample housing for students
and has the potential for designated
Greek housing.
 Restricting Greek Life operations at
this time will also assist in risk
management.
The demographics for the Cochran
Campus as of Fall 2013 are as follows:
Total: 1,816
Male: 843 (46%)
Female: 973 (54%)
Black: 765 (42%)
White: 953 (52%)
Other: 98 (6%)
97% are residents of Georgia
42% Freshmen
28% Sophomores
16% Juniors
13% Seniors
Total Full Time Students: 865 (48%)
Total Part-Time Students: 951 (52%)
Average Age: 21.5
MGA Student Demographics
The following demographic information
represents the institution as a whole as
of Fall 2014.
Total: 7,927
Male: 3,330 (42%)
Female: 4,598 (59%)
Black: 2,624 (33%)
White: 4,534 (57%)
Other: 769 (10%)
97% are residents of Georgia
29% Freshmen
23% Sophomores
17% Juniors
26% Seniors
5% (other-dual enrollment, transient,
special)
Total Full Time Students: 5017 (62%)
Total Part-Time Students: 3130 (38%)
Average Age: 25.62
Campus Breakdown (numbers duplicated
based on registration):
Cochran Campus:
1,816
Dublin Campus:
697
Eastman Campus:
442
Macon Campus:
4,135
Robins Resident Center
18
Warner Robins Campus:
1,733
Other Campuses:
2,516
One-year retention rate is 65.85%
An important note regarding
demographics is also that there are 1244
students who attend classes on more
than one campus. This means that
student fluidity between are campuses is
quite common.
Average GPA
All-male - 2.93
All-female - 2.97
Student Survey
We conducted a recent student survey to evaluate students’ interest and attitude
toward Greek Life. Overall, the feedback was very positive and supportive of Greek
Life expansion. The results are as follows:
Total Responses - 505
Are you interested in joining a Greek Letter
organization?
No – 43 (8.5%)
Unsure – 38 (7.5%)
Yes – 424 (84%)
Which campus is your primary campus?
Macon – 331 (65.6%)
Cochran – 112 (22.3%)
Dublin – 13 (2.6%)
Eastman – 11 (2.3%)
Warner Robins – 32 (6.6%)
Unsure – 3 (0.7%)
Classification?
17-21 – 326 (64.6%)
22-26 – 124 (24.6%)
27-31 – 17 (3.4%)
32-36 – 9 (1.8%)
37-41 – 11 (2.1%)
42-46 – 7 (1.3%)
47+ - 6 (1.2%)
Prefer not to answer/no response – 5 (1%)
Ethnicity?
Black – 289 (57.2%)
White – 116 (23%)
All other (includes those indicating multi-racial) – 100 (19.8%)
Residential?
Commuter – 277 (54.9%)
Residential – 209 (41.4%)
Unsure/no response – 19 (3.7%)
Are you financially able to participate
in Greek Life?
No – 19 (3.7%)
Unsure – 111 (22%)
No response – 2 (0.3%)
Yes – 373 (74%)
Administration
Middle Georgia State University is currently researching best practices in the state
for structuring, funding, supporting, managing, and adjudicating Greek Life.
A group has been assembled to work on the expansion process - the Greek Life
Implementation Team. This team consists of staff and students who will work on the
various tasks to implement Greek Life at MGA. Once their work is done, this team will
transition into a Greek Life Advisory Council.
MGA Greek Life will be housed in the Office of Student Life. The Assistant Director of
Student Life will be the primary professional responsible for Greek Life. The AD will
also advise the Greek Council(s) and serve as a point of contact for Greek
organizations.
Greek Life has administrative support from the University. The President of the
University and the cabinet are all supportive of implementing Greek Life.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or are interested in expanding your organization to Middle
Georgia State University, please contact:
Scotty Rainwater
Assistant Director
Office of Student Life
Middle Georgia State University
1100 Second Street SE
Cochran, GA 31041
478-934-3152
[email protected]