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Observation survey report
Advanced College Writing (COMP 2000)
Nova Southeastern University
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Observation Report
I. Background Section
Greek organizations on college campuses are often associated with negative behavior,
actions, and activities. I cannot speak for all Greek organizations, but on the Nova Southeastern
University campus it is strictly forbidden. With that being said, Greek Life does have many
beneficial factors to it. Specifically, I’m an active member in the Delta Iota Chapter in Sigma
Delta Tau at NSU. Being involved in Greek Life has helped me in many different ways even as a
second semester member. These factors include better engagement around campus and in the
community, promotes opportunity in leadership and development areas, and contributes to
undergraduate graduation rates. Reflecting on my experiences in Greek Life helped me formulate
my research question, “How does being in a sorority and involved in Greek Life, impact the
college experience of students?” I hope to understand how Greek Life has positive impacts on
students and that positive attributes Greek Life has to offer can outweigh the bad stigmas and
stereotypes it has.
I will be researching my question on the NSU campus by examining Sigma Delta Tau’s
chapter which are weekly meetings for Greek Life organizations. Sigma Delta Tau’s mantra is
“Empowering Women,” therefore through philanthropy they are able to achieve this goal. I plan
to examine Sigma Delta Tau during their chapter to see if this setting can increase engagement
within the chapter, leadership opportunities, and academic achievement leading to higher
graduation rates. I am an active member of the chapter and hold the historian position on the
General Board therefore I will be a participant in discussion while observing. Being a part of this
organization has helped me develop leadership skills and grow within the chapter with multiple
positions. I also have met some of my very good friends, while being a member in this
organization. I predict that these factors will contribute to positive aspects affiliated with Greek
Life, but more specifically Sigma Delta Tau.
II. Methods Sections
To analyze the relationship between positive factors and the Sigma Delta Tau chapter on
NSU campus, I decided to take field observation notes during a practice on Sunday, March 12th
which starts at 7pm and ends at 8pm in the HPD Fink Auditorium. There were 45 active
members, all female. The observation notes recorded are divided into 3 columns. The first
column represents interactions based on engagement, meaning events, statements, etc within
sisters becoming involved within the chapter, on campus, and in the community. The second
column represents interactions that contribute to leadership opportunities or qualities, meaning
anything where leadership is presented during chapter. Lastly, the third column will signify
anything academic which can help sisters with their goal to graduate.
III. Results Section
I observed that before chapter, some sisters attend early to talk or catch up with one
another. Once chapter begins the executive board sits in the first row facing the rest of the room.
The general board sits in the second row. The President starts off reports then each board
member reads their weekly reports. Particularly, our President discussed leadership roles
concerning our upcoming general board elections for next semester which shows that sisters are
constantly able to gain new experience on the general board by running for positions. Other
position holders mentioned different forms of engagement specifically for their personal events.
Our community service chair proposed a new event she created to donate clothes which connects
our sorority to the community. Finally our Vice President of Administration and our Vice
President of Scholarship reminded us to clock in our study hours each week which is significant
sorority as at this specific chapter I was promoting my upcoming event with a fellow sister. With
this role there is a degree of bias because I am a board member who creates events and provides
feedback to the chapter. Even mentioned by Kennedy, “These efforts improved the life of Greek
students and college administrators. It also helped combat some of the negative images
portrayed by the media,”(Kennedy 2014, p. 16) It is important for college students to see the
positive possibilities when joining Greek Life rather than just the negative constant stereotypes
to better help their college experiences. According to Shirley, “These student-centered groups
were established as ways for students to become involved with and connected to their college
campuses and have since proven to significantly influence the development of students, the
experiences in students’ lives, and the cultures of the colleges or universities that the students
attend,” (Shirley 2014, p. 1). These experiences related to Greek Life are not only pivotal to a
successful college experience, but good to have for future experiences.
Field Notes:
Engagement Activities Leadership opportunities Academic opportunities
● Alyssa discusses involvement with family weekend ● Brielle talks about signing up for “Bear Buddies” (sisters are matched together to go on”dates” so we can find more people in the chapter who enjoy the same things we do) ● Daniella discusses “Are You Smarter Than A Sig Delt?” (Philanthropy event) ○ She mentions fundraisers we should get involved in to help raise money for PCAA ● Kassidy talks about our beach day with the FAU chapter ● Hanna talks about alumni BBQ ● Imani discusses her Sister presentations in which sisters talk about their culture, religion, disability, etc. ● I discussed my Versace Mansion event Kassidy and I are hosting ● Cassidy talks about signing up for “All Fins In” ● Cassidy talks about
● Molly discusses upcoming General Board nominations ● Each month we have an “Alumni Spotlight.” This month our former alumni, Aspen discussed how being in Sig Delt has helped her gain the connections to further her career as a pilates instructor; she’s now in Colorado doing private pilate classes from an opportunity she got from a former sister
● Chloe and Isabelle update our study hours for the week ● Sigma Delta Tau foundation is giving scholarship opportunities ● Isabelle discusses how she set up a panel for alumni to answer questions for active sisters to know about the graduate school process ● Isabella discusses the Order of Lapiz ritual to honor sisters in good academic standing
Observation survey report
Course: Advanced College Writing (COMP 2000)
University: Nova Southeastern University
