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Innovation Grants very year, we open the Innovation Grant application processes for departments to collaborate on initiatives that may require seed funding. The goal of the fund is to allow areas to try out new programs or revamp current ones without risking their current operational dollars. Last year, Innovant Grants provided funding for R.I.T.U.A.L. a program hosted by Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, InterSections retreat by Office of Social Change and Intercultural Engagement, and the Mustang PEP Talks series for Residence LIfe and Student Housing.
R.I.T.U.A.L.
The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life was grateful for the opportunity to utilize funds from the Innovation Grant program towards a new initiative. Given the unique nature of fraternity & sorority life, SMU staff can interact with students at each point in their college development and growth. From new students on campus, to new members, emerging leaders, established leaders, and soon to be graduates, we have an opportunity to provide continuous touchpoints to create gradual training and conversations on diversity, equity and inclusion that builds as students develop. The R.I.T.U.A.L. program is a comprehensive, integrated program that provides education and facilitated dialog to members of the SMU
fraternity & sorority community at different points in the undergraduate experience on issues and topics related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. R.I.T.U.A.L. stands for responsibility, inclusion, trust, unity, advocacy, and leadership. Content for this program is integrated into already established FSL programs, such as recruitment/intake meetings, the FSLead emerging leaders’ class, and monthly President roundtables. It will also be added to new initiatives offered during specific times each academic year. This past year we hosted our first DEI retreat for established leaders as well as developed a virtual library where student leaders and
chapter officers can access articles and videos on topics like bias, identity, and privilege. This program is led by the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life, but we are grateful for our friends in the Office of Social Change & Intercultural Engagement and The Women & LGBT Center for providing guidance and trainings during several of our programs. This is a multi-year project that will take time to fully develop, and we are excited to review the long-term impact that these learning opportunities will have on the Greek and SMU communities. Written by Ashley Fitzpatrick, Director for Fraternity & Sorority Life
Mustang PEP Talks The Mustang PEP (Peer Education Program) Talk Series (MPTS) is a series of peer-led leadership development workshops offered to the SMU student community. The target audience includes current student leaders with the desire to enhance their skills for their campus student leadership positions, students who are interested in joining the RLSH Peer Leader program, and first-year students who are interested in personal leadership development. The content for the MPTS is derived from the NASPA Peer Educator (CPE) certification program. The components of the CPE program are designed to grow and expand on
basic peer education skills. The CPE program is administered on campus by professional staff who have been trained by NASPA on the content and certification of the CPE course. Topics include: Understanding the Power, Roles, and Characteristics of Peer Educators, Understanding Change as a Peer Educator, Being an Effective Listener as a Peer Educator, A Peer Educator’s Role as a Responder, Bystander Intervention as a Peer Education Technique, Intrapersonal Applications of Identity as a Peer Educator, Programming Strategies for Peer Educators, and Group Development and Moving Forward. In Fall 2022, we were able to train and
certify eight Peer Leader supervisors. In Spring 2023, the pilot cohort of seven Peer Leaders received the CPE training and certification through a weekend retreat. Starting Fall 2023, the MPTS program will be an approved experience for the Oral Communication and Civics and Individual Ethics proficiencies. As a component of Peer Leader training for the 2023-2024 academic year, we plan to have all RLSH Peer Leaders become Certified Peer Educators. In Fall 2023, the certified students will demonstrate their learning by facilitating the Mustang PEP Talk series for the campus community. Written by Audryanna Reed, Associate Director for High-Impact Practices