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Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors | 2021 Institutional Survey

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Thank you for your use of AFA’s Institutional Survey as a way to better understand the current themes around how both fraternity/sorority communities and fraternity/sorority professionals are structured and organized. This summary report is the result of the commitment of over 180 unique colleges and universities who fully participated in our data collection efforts during the summer of 2021. Our continued benchmarking efforts are only as strong as the members of our professional community who carve out time to participate, so thank you to all our participating institutions.

As stated within our mission, AFA is committed to “elevating the standard for effective professional practice in working with sororities and fraternities in higher education.” A substantial part of that commitment is exploring the ways in which our community of professionals are structured, supported, and resourced to engage in the student-centered work of the fraternity/sorority profession. This summary helps to identify trends in community structure, staffing organization and focus, and compensation that assist us in continuing to answer the question “are we staffing our campus operations in ways that best assist us in achieving the outcomes associated with improving fraternity/sorority experiences?”

As with any strong research effort, oftentimes we are left with both answers and questions for further exploration. As you review this summary, we invite you to identify areas in which this initiative could grow and to share those ideas with our association. Additionally, if you have companion data that may strengthen our ability to tell a more complete story of our profession and its impact on outcomes, we invite you to reach out. For those who wish to further explore the data included in this dataset, narrower reports (filtered by “fraternity/sorority community size” and “institutional type”) will be available through our online store.

We are excited about the continued potential of this instrument, and we invite you to share this report in ways that help to better equip those who are making critical decisions about fraternity/sorority communities on college campuses.

Sincerely,

Jason BergeronExecutive Director, AFA

About the 2021 Institutional Survey


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Key InformationAs a professional membership association, we provide our members and our industry with current and accurate information that drives decision-making. Members are in search of information to enhance programs or even to justify their existence. In this uncertain era of fraternity/sorority advising, we must give our members information to help demonstrate best practices, and we help our members develop structural models that work based on data from peers and aspirational campuses. Although the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors (AFA) has collected information each year from individuals during membership renewal, in 2019 we created this baseline institutional survey to distribute on a broad scale to examine many of basic questions such as type of institution and size of fraternity/sorority community. We are proud to release the overall survey results, as well as future specialized reports that drill down into important indicators. Please note, custom benchmarking reports are available for a fee upon request. This is the second iteration of the institutional survey. Outside of individual members or the Annual Meeting, the most frequent questions we receive are related to structural systems such as staffing, budgets, and money for professional development. We created and updated this survey to further provide actual data that our members can use. The data collection period ran from May 6 - June 30, 2021. 526 invitations were sent, and the survey had 182 completed submissions1 with a 35% response rate. 127 (69%) of the schools who responded were public institutions, and 55 (30%) of the schools were private institutions. Through SoGo Survey Systems, we utilized their survey platform, and this platform allowed for survey creation, distribution, data management, and reporting. SoGoSurvey provided a platform to aid in communicating, learning, and quantifying data across multiple areas — to promote growth and innovation in the organizations they work with. We learned from the first iteration of the survey that there were some limitations. For this edition, we asked a few questions differently, as well as removed and added questions. As a professional development association, we will continue to work with our members to determine what information we collect and how to maximize its effectiveness.

Data Set, Survey Methodology, & Survey Tool

Data Set, Survey Methodology, & Survey Tool

AFA is committed to using the highest ethical standards in using and reporting data and to be good stewards of the data we collect. Members provided their data in good faith, and it is our duty to respect that as we release general and customized reports. Part of that duty is also stressing this is proprietary data owned by AFA. Individuals, institutions, and organizations may not use or share this information without the permission of AFA. The reports we produce are intended to enhance the profession by illustrating key indicators of how campuses are staffed and resourced. It is designed to allow individual institutions to advocate for additional resources and to benchmark against peers. If an institution or organization requests a custom report, we will require a minimum of seven (7) institutions to be in the pool to maintain confidentiality. AFA will not identify any institution that did or did not respond to the survey in any of our reports.

1Please see the appendix at the end of this master report noting all of the participating schools.


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Key HighlightsCampus Profile

` 70% of institutions employ 1-2 fraternity/sorority professionals.

` Just over 50% of institutions do not employ graduate assistants.

` 50% of institutions have under 1,000 fraternity/sorority community members.

Office Operations

` The average number of chapters on an institution’s campus is 26.

` 69% of institutions do not have local chapters/organizations.

` The two most important elements when creating an institution’s fraternity/sorority advising approach noted were direct chapter support/advising and governing council advising.

` 72% of institutions have some type of fraternity/sorority housing.

` Of those with housing, 29% indicated fraternity/sorority staff have oversight or control of the housing establishments.

` The question, “How are your chapters visually represented on campus?” elicited a broad range of answers; however, the major themes included the letters on facilities or plots, banners, flags, or wall displays showcasing organization names and crests. This is also an area where responses noted that visibility could be dependent upon chapter affiliation and was a priority for growth to increase opportunities to showcase and spotlight organizations on campus.

` 75% of institutions noted culturally based groups typically conduct intake processes during both the fall and spring semesters, and 51% of institutions hold recruitment after the fall semester begins.

` 60% of institutions allow first-semester freshmen to join.

` When it comes to organizational misconduct connected to fraternity/sorority life, 81% noted fraternity/sorority life professions are partners in the process with only 16% noting they adjudicate the process.

` 16% have students pay a Greek Fee. On average, the Greek Fee is $49 or less a year charged to the individual.

` 55% have an account set up through their university foundation that can be used to fund fraternity/sorority life programs or initiatives.

Compensation

` 38% of institutions with a single fraternity/sorority life team member or the highest paid fraternity/sorority team member, the common threshold salary is $45,000-$59,999.

` 42% of institutions with a lowest paid full-time staff member in fraternity/sorority life team with more than one staff member, the common threshold salary is $35,000-$49,999.

` Of those who employ graduate students in their office, a common practice is to cover partial or full tuition and fees for the graduate student.

` The average professional development budget for staff in fraternity/sorority life is under $5,000.


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Campus ProfileWhat is your AFA region?

Region I

Region II

Region III

Region IV

Region V

26%

28%

20%

16%

10%


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What are your distinctive campus characteristics? Please check all that apply.

Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)

Historically Black College or University (HBCU)

Tribal College or University (TCU)

Community College

Religiously-Affiliated

Land-Grant Institution

Flagship Institution

Regional Institution

None of the Above

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

9%

1%

0%

1%

11%

19%

16%

23%

37%

What National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) football athletic division does your institution belong to? If your school is a member of multiple athletic conferences, please select the conference that you most identify with as a peer institution.

20 40 8060 100 120

16%

17%

63%

1%

3%

Division I

Division II

Division III

N/A, Belongs to NAIA

No Athletics

How is your institution operated?

Public Institution Private, Not-For-Profit Institution

Private, For-Profit Institution

127 55 1

30%

69%

1%


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What was the total full-time undergraduate enrollment in the 2020-2021 academic year?

Under 5,000

5,000-9,999

10,000-14,999

15,000-19,999

20,000-24,999

25,000-29,999

Over 30,000

10 20 30 40 50

16%

11%

10%

27%

25%

8%

4%

What is your total fraternity/sorority population? Please do not include professional/ service/ academic fraternity/sorority members.

Under 500

500-999

1,000-1,499

1,500-1,999

2,000-2,499

2,500-2,999

3,000-3,499

3,500-3,999

4,000-4,499

4,500-4,999

Over 5,000

10 20 30 40 50 60

28%

22%

13%

10%

5%

3%

3%

2%

4%

2%

8%

Do you have a stand-alone office dedicated to fraternity/sorority life?

Yes No

80 103

44%

56%


5

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10+

How many full-time staff are employed to work with fraternities and sororities?

20 40 8060 100

3%

3%

5%

5%

2%

44%

26%

9%

0%

1%

1%

How many graduate students are employed to work with fraternities and sororities?

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10+

20 40 8060 100

0%

0%

0%

1%

1%

1%

1%

52%

25%

15%

4%


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Office OperationsHow many chapters affiliated with an (inter)national fraternity/sorority are recognized on your campus?

0-10

11-20

21-30

31-40

41-50

51-60

61-70

71-80

81-90

10 20 30 40 50

1%

1%

4%

5%

8%

13%

22%

27%

19%

How many local chapters are on your campus?

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10+

30 60 90 120 150

69%

16%

7%

3%

0%

0%

0%

1%

1%

1%

4%


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Which inter/national umbrella organizations are the chapters on your campus affiliated with? Please check all that apply.

Interfraternity Council (IFC)

National APIDA Panhellenic Association (NAPA)

National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations (NALFO)

National Multicultural Greek Council (NMGC)

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

Panhellenic Council (PHC)

Professional Fraternity Association

Other

50 100 150 200

92%

27%

45%

33%

78%

95%

9%

6%

Because multiple answers per participant are possible, the total percentage may exceed 100%.

Does your campus have a minimum member requirement to be a recognized student organization (RSO)?

Yes No

125 58

68%

32%

The most common minimum number for organization was 5 members, with the highest minimum number being 15 members.


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AFA recognizes that there are multiple approaches to the work of advising and managing fraternity/sorority communities. Please rank the following items below as to their level of importance to your institution’s fraternity/sorority advising approach.

Direct Chapter Support/Advising

Governing Council Advising

Community Development/Community Building

Educational Programming

Health & Safety/Prevention Work

Policy Development/Compliance

Equity & Social Justice Work

Assessment & Evaluation

Strategic Planning

Local Advisor Development

Housing/Facility Management

Alumni Development

Fundraising/Donor Development

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

If you have fraternity/sorority housing, who owns the house? This includes all communal living opportunities with houses, apartment-style living, residence hall floors, etc.

Institution

Local/National Housing Corporation

Combination of Institution & Housing Corporations

Institution Owns the Land but Housing Corporations Own the House

A Combination of Above

We Do Not Have Any Type of Housing

10 20 30 40 50 60

20%

23%

8%

2%

19%

28%


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When do your culturally based groups typically conduct intake?

Fall Semester

Spring Semester

Both Semesters

Other

30 60 90 150120

2%

10%

75%

13%

When is the primary recruitment process on your campus for IFC and NPC groups?

Prior to the Start of the Fall Semester

After the Fall Semester Begins

Prior to the Start of the Spring Semester

After the Spring Semester Begins

Other

20 40 8060 100

2%

10%

51%

24%

13%

When can new members first join fraternities and sororities?

Before Matriculating

1st Semester Freshmen Year

2nd Semester Freshmen Year

Sophomore Year & Beyond

20 40 8060 100 120

5%

60%

31%

4%

Do fraternity/sorority students pay a Greek fee? Please note, this does not include council dues.

Yes No

30 153

16%

84%


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CompensationWhat is the total operational budget for fraternity/sorority programs? Please note, this includes all operational expenses with the exception of staff salaries and benefits.

10 20 30 40 50

$70,000-79,999 2%

Under $4,999 27%

$5,000-9,999 15%

$10,000-19,999 12%

$20,000-29,999 14%

$30,000-39,999 9%

$40,000-49,999 3%

$50,000-59,999 4%

$60,000-69,999 5%

$80,000-89,999 1%

$90,000-99,999 0%

Over $100k 9%

*Only One, Full-Time Fraternity/Sorority Advisor

What is the salary of the lowest-paid, full-time fraternity/sorority advisor on your campus?

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

$70,000-74,999 1%

$75,000-79,999 1%

Over $80k 1%

$65,000-69,999 0%

$60,000-64,999 2%

Under $29,999 2%

$30,000-34,999 3%

$55,000-59,999 3%

$35,000-39,999 12%

$40,000-44,999 13%

$50,000-54,999 6%

$45,000-49,999 17%

N/A* 40%


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What is the salary of the highest/only paid, full-time fraternity/sorority advisor on your campus?

10 205 15 25

Under $29,999 1%

$30,000-34,999 0%

$35,000-39,999 8%

$40,000-44,999 8%

$55,000-59,999 12%

$60,000-64,999 10%

$70,000-74,999 8%

$80,000-84,999 3%

$95,000-99,999 3%

Over $100k 3%

$90,000-94,999 4%

$85,000-89,999 2%

$45,000-49,999 13%

$50,000-54,999 13%

$65,000-69,999 6%

$75,000-79,999 7%

If you employ graduate assistants, does your office or division pay their tuition/fees?

*We Do Not Employ Graduate Assistants

20 40 8060 100

Yes 29%

No 17%

Partial 9%

N/A* 45%

What is the total, annual professional development budget for all fraternity/sorority advising staff on your campus?

30 60 90 150120

Under $5,000 75%

$5,000-9,999 14%

$10,000-14,999 7%

$15,000-20,000 3%

Over $20k 2%


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Appendix: Participating InstitutionsAlabama

` Birmingham-Southern College ` Jacksonville State University ` Samford University ` University of North Alabama

Arizona ` Arizona State University ` Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (AZ)

Arkansas ` University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

California ` Barstow Community College ` California State University, Bakersfield ` California State University, Fresno ` Loyola Marymount University ` San Diego State University ` University of California, Berkeley ` University of San Diego

Colorado ` Colorado State University ` University of Colorado Boulder

Connecticut ` Quinnipiac University ` University of Connecticut

Delaware ` University of Delaware

Florida ` Florida Atlantic University ` Florida State University ` Lynn University ` Rollins College ` Saint Leo University ` University of Central Florida ` University of Florida ` University of Miami ` University of North Florida ` University of Tampa

Georgia ` Albany State University ` Georgia Institute of Technology ` Georgia Southern University ` Kennesaw State University ` University of Georgia ` University of North Georgia

Idaho ` Boise State University

Illinois ` Eastern Illinois University ` Knox College ` Northern Illinois University ` Northwestern University ` Southern Illinois University Edwardsville ` University of Illinois at Chicago ` University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign ` Western Illinois University

Indiana ` Indiana State University ` Indiana University Bloomington ` Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) ` Purdue University ` Valparaiso University

Iowa ` Iowa State University ` University of Northern Iowa

Kansas ` Kansas State University ` Pittsburg State University

Kentucky ` Kentucky Wesleyan College ` Morehead State University ` University of Louisville ` Western Kentucky University

Louisiana ` Louisiana State University ` Louisiana State University Shreveport ` Tulane University

Maryland ` Salisbury University ` University of Maryland Baltimore County ` University of Maryland, College Park

Massachusetts ` Bentley University ` Fitchburg State University ` Massachusetts Institute of Technology ` Tufts University ` Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Michigan ` Central Michigan University ` Ferris State University ` Lawrence Technological University ` Michigan State University ` Oakland University ` Olivet College

Minnesota ` Minnesota State University, Mankato ` University of Minnesota Duluth

Mississippi ` Millsaps College ` Mississippi State University ` University of Mississippi

Missouri ` Northwest Missouri State University ` Saint Louis University ` Southeast Missouri State University ` Truman State University ` University of Missouri ` University of Missouri-Kansas City

Nebraska ` University of Nebraska at Kearney ` University of Nebraska-Lincoln


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Nevada ` University of Nevada Reno

New Hampshire ` Dartmouth College

New Jersey ` College of New Jersey ` Monmouth University ` Montclair State University ` Ramapo College of New Jersey ` Rutgers University-New Brunswick

New Mexico ` New Mexico State University ` University of New Mexico

New York ` Adelphi University ` Binghamton University-State University of New York ` Colgate University ` Cornell University ` Hofstra University ` St. Lawrence University ` State University of New York, College at Plattsburgh ` State University of New York, College at Brockport ` SUNY Cortland ` Syracuse University ` Union College ` University At Buffalo ` University of Rochester

North Carolina ` Duke University ` High Point University ` North Carolina State University ` University of North Carolina at Greensboro ` University of North Carolina Charlotte ` University of North Carolina Wilmington ` Wake Forest University ` Western Carolina University

North Dakota ` North Dakota State University

Ohio ` Ashland University ` Bowling Green State University ` Denison University ` Kent State University ` Miami University-Oxford ` Ohio State University ` Otterbein University ` Shawnee State University ` University of Akron ` University of Dayton ` University of Toledo ` Wright State University ` Youngstown State University

Oklahoma ` Oklahoma City University ` Oklahoma State University, Main Campus-Stillwater ` Southwestern Oklahoma State University ` University of Oklahoma

Oregon ` Willamette University

Pennsylvania ` Bucknell University ` California University of Pennsylvania ` Clarion University ` Dickinson College ` Drexel University ` Duquesne University ` East Stroudsburg University ` Indiana University of Pennsylvania ` Lehigh University ` Mansfield University ` Penn State Erie, Behrend College ` Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania ` Temple University ` University of Mount Union ` University of Pennsylvania ` University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown ` University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Campus ` West Chester University

Rhode Island ` Rhode Island College

South Carolina ` Clemson University ` Presbyterian College ` University of South Carolina-Columbia

South Dakota ` South Dakota State University ` University of South Dakota

Tennessee ` Austin Peay State University ` East Tennessee State University ` Lane College ` Middle Tennessee State University ` Sewanee: The University of the South ` Tennessee Technological University ` University of Tennessee at Martin

Texas ` Texas A&M International University ` Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi ` Texas Christian University ` Texas State University ` University of Texas at Dallas

Utah ` University of Utah

Virginia ` Christopher Newport University ` Radford University ` University of Richmond ` William & Mary

Washington ` University of Washington

Wisconsin ` Carroll University ` University of Wisconsin Oshkosh ` University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Wyoming ` University of Wyoming


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