As of this August, Assistant Dean for Student Engagement Travis Hill has assumed responsibility for the day-to-day oversight of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) on campus. This position was formerly held by Noelle Niznik, Director of Student Activities.
Hill’s new role was announced at the end of the spring 2019 semester. In addition to working with Greek societies on campus, he will oversee the implementation of the Blue Ribbon Committee recommendations for the 2019–20 school year.
Formed in the fall of 2018, the Blue Ribbon Committee was comprised of faculty, students, staff, alumni and a Trustee who prioritized recommendations by external reviewers who are experts in the field of FSL. They focus on issues such as guidelines for members, chapter advising, and national affiliation within two subcommittees before submitting their final recommendations.
This semester, Hill said met with all society presidents and all new society members prior to the beginning of pledging on Thursday, Sept. 12. He also met early in the semester with the Inter-Society Council (ISC) co-chairs — Rob Hallock ’20 and Maggie Rogers ’20 — to discuss his plans for Greek Life.
“My plans are to implement the recommendations of the Blue Ribbon Committee and work with the sororities and fraternities to help them live up to their goals and values as individual societies,” Hill said. “Ultimately the goal is to help fraternity and sorority life thrive at Hamilton by making sure participation in a society is valued-added experience and that we help the greater community see the positive things these societies bring to the Hill.”
Danie Edwards ’21, one of the student members of the Blue Ribbon Committee, says the goal of the Committee’s recommendations are to “reform Greek Life on campus for the whole community. Through reevaluating how we conduct the organizations, we’ve learned that there is a lot of room for improvement.”
Edwards also expressed optimism about the job Hill has done so far.
“He has been very helpful in making sure that students are involved and that we get the best outcome possible,” she said.
