The Journey
A newsletter for chapter advisors, chapter officers, and
regional officers.
February/
March 2001
Issue
finding
favor with your
Campus Administrators
Yes, it can happen.
Many Phi Theta Kappa chapters enjoy a harmonious relationship with their college administrations, and are reaping the rewards of increased budgets, participation in chapter activities and singing of the chapter’s praises to the Board of Trustees and the local media. It won’t happen overnight, but it can happen for your chapter if you follow these simple guidelines.
How can you increase administrative support?
1. Ask! Approach your administration and ask for assistance. You never know how much they may be willing to help until you ask.
2. Make your chapter known on campus.
- Educate the student
body. Try placing an ad in the school newspaper and hanging posters
around campus to increase chapter awareness. l Make use of those never-ending
lines at registration. Show videos of Phi Theta Kappa Conventions and
Honors Institutes (available for purchase through Headquarters) or create
your own video, highlighting your chapter’s activities and success.
- Make sure your
college’s public relations and admissions departments are aware of your
presence and include your chapter in their publications, recruitment
events and new student orientations.
- Get to know your college’s faculty and staff individually. Administrators that know faces, along with names, are often more supportive because they are much more aware of the needs AND the commitment level of the chapter’s members.
3. Increase your chapter’s value by being successful.
- Seize the opportunity to shine! Participating in Phi Theta Kappa programs like Five Star, Hallmark Awards and Scholarship Initiatives gives your chapter more opportunities for recognition. Why not give your administration something to brag about?!
- Offer services and support that are both desired and anticipated. Repetition is the best memory aid. Make a point of helping with a particular event every time it is held.
4. Invite your college’s administrators to the International Convention! Many chapters confirm that their administration significantly increased their support after attending an International Convention.
What can it do for you?
Here are just a few examples of how different chapters have received support from their administration.
- Dr. Robert M.
Harris, President of Sacramento City College in Sacramento,
California, in conjunction with June Wilson, Dean of College
and Community Relations, took on a project that provides a permanent
display of Phi Theta Kappa memorabilia. This display, located in the
college’s library, features All-USA First Academic Team members as well
as All-California Academic Team members from the college. To further
increase awareness of membership benefits, Phi Theta Kappa brochures
are available just below the display.
- At Kishwaukee
College in Malta, Illinois, a sizeable endowment was established
in honor of its President, Dr. Norman Jenkins. Upon his retirement
in June 2000, Dr. Jenkins could name any organization at Kishwaukee
College to be the recipient of the endowment. He chose the Phi Theta
Kappa chapter! The chapter will receive the interest from this endowment
and will be able to use the funds as they see fit.
- Dr. Roy Colquitt,
advisor at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, North
Carolina, worked with his Student Activities Department to secure money
for the chapter. Beginning this year, the Student Activities Department
will provide a significant grant to the chapter to assist in covering
the cost of chapter mailings and travel. Dr. Colquitt and his chapter
secured this support by providing the school with important services
it can count on year after year. For example, chapter members serve
as marshals for the college’s graduations, with graduating classes of
over 600 students. Also, the Phi Theta Kappa chapter provides much support
to the tutoring center. One year, they logged more than 6,000 hours
of tutoring!
- In an attempt
to recruit new members and to motivate returning members, the chapter
at College of the Mainland in Texas City, Texas, has created
a scholarship area. This scholarship area has Phi Theta Kappa scholarship
information laid out on several tables. This area serves many purposes
including communicating the benefits of membership, providing information
to all students interested in transferring to a four-year school and
advertising future chapter events.
- Dr. Judith Hansen, President of Independence Community College in Independence, Kansas, is very supportive of the college’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. She secured a travel budget for the chapter and worked in conjunction with the chapter members to organize a talent showcase in celebration of ICC’s 75th anniversary. As if this were not enough, Dr. Hansen even kissed a pig in front of the homecoming crowd as part of a fundraising activity! Now that’s support!
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