This is part of an ongoing series of student-led candid conversations with members of leadership at University of Michigan.

 

 

In this campus conversation, Associate Dean of Students & Interim Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life Nicole Banks joined #UMSocial intern Rita Vega to discuss how FSL has navigated the pandemic and highlight the importance of the brotherhood and sisterhood, and the communities they build and serve.

 

“This year has included a lot of coordination and support for public health like chapter awareness, coordination around campus, and off-campus expectations. Whether its guidelines or things that are becoming common practice for the health and wellbeing of people in Ann Arbor,” Banks says of her role throughout 2020.

 

Banks and Vega, who is a member of Fraternity and Sorority Life, reflect on the first several months of the fall semester and what students experienced. Banks explains that students in the organizations have been working to redefine what FSL really means and looking at the brotherhood and sisterhood from a new perspective.

 

“Our organizations have found new ways to serve the community. They’ve continued to do philanthropy in ways that are very meaningful for them and also for the charities that they support,” Banks says.

“They found new ways of strengthening relationships among chapter members, with their alumni, and with their regional and national organizations. I think there’s been a deeper focus on what’s most important.”

Banks adds that chapters are focused on learning more about diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, and assessing their goals and the value they add for their members and the community overall. She hopes that the committees continue this commitment in the new year.

 

“Shaping our environments to be supportive and inclusive—that’s really, really important.”