The decline of membership in fraternities and sororities at Penn State has caused greek community and university leaders to continue the Appreciate Inquiry Process, "Greek Pride: A Return to Glory," during Friday's Board of Trustees meeting.

Jessica Henry (graduate-higher education) outlined the recent history and decline of greek life at Penn State.

"Twelve percent of students here at Penn State are in greek societies," she said. "Total membership has dropped 16 percent since 1990 with female membership dropping 50 percent since 1990."

At Friday's Board of Trustees meeting, the Committee on Campus Environment outlined a continuation to the Appreciative Inquiry (AI) plan.

Vice President for Student Affairs Vicky Triponey presented the board with a "Dream Statement" detailing a plan to bring pride back to Penn State's sororities and fraternities.

Triponey said other institutions see Penn State's greek establishments as "disrespectful" and think of it as a "renegade system."

She also detailed the growing concern for greek institutions across the country.

"We're not alone in our concerns," she said. "Many universities are struggling with the same problems."

Triponey attributed the decline in membership to cost, and greek life's increased emphasis on parties and social events.

"Why would anyone pay to be part of a fraternity or sorority?" she asked. "Their parties are open to the entire world, so anyone can go and have fun for free."

Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Brian Bertges said membership fees vary from fraternity to fraternity, but range from about $150 to $500 per semester for most organizations. Most fraternity members also have to pay national fees established by the national chapters, Bertges said.

Samantha Marpe, Panhellenic Council vice president of membership, said new members of greek organizations are required to pay a special fee to the group's national organization. Fees are also more for new members than established sorority members.

"All national organizations require new members pay a fee to be come a member of the organization, so that's why new member dues are higher than already-initiated member dues," she said.

Kevin Kerr, director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, introduced some minimum expectations for fraternities and sororities. "In consultation with university leadership, we have developed some Standards of Excellence," he said.

These standards include a standard of "BYOB and Third Party Vendors," which states that "all chapters will implement a BYOB and/or Third Party Vendor system for distributing alcohol at chapter functions where alcohol is involved."

"Chapters shouldn't be providing alcohol; fraternity houses continue to get alcoholic violations," Triponey said. "They need to find a different way to host parties or go dry completely."

She said the consequences for not following the new standards are dire to chapters here at University Park. "Some chapters will not get up to par with these standards, and we will have to say 'Sorry, you don't belong at Penn State anymore.' "

The university will encourage greek institutions to comply with the standards by offering rewards to those that meet the Standards of Excellence.