I want to begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to each of you who has supported the PLPAA over the past two years. These have been trying times for all. Your donations and contributions are greatly appreciated. To all that have served on the board on the last two years, thank you for your dedication and donation of your time. Many of us work very closely with the actives behind the scenes to ensure that Phi Lamb continues at SUNY Oswego. I am so excited to be heading back to Oswego this June for the first time since 2019. I look forward to seeing each one of you, live and in person, for the 2022 reunion, back in Oswego. Please save the date!
As many of you know, Greek life at universities and college campuses nationwide is historically at an all-time low. Participation rates for Greek Life at Oswego State are at seriously low levels with roughly only 100 Greeks. This semester, for the first time in many years, Phi Lamb has no pledge class. We will enter the 2022-2023 academic year with less than 10 active sisters. The situation is similar with the other local and national fraternities and sororities on campus.
SUNY Oswego is by no means alone in seeing an overall decline in Greek life engagement. However, Oswego has the lowest Greek participation rate, roughly 3% of the student population, with Plattsburgh the highest at 18%. Covid’s role in this decline is large, but there are many other contributory factors. These numbers, as well as the anti-Greek sentiment on campus, are triggering significant and real concerns.
I am taking part in working alongside other Greek Alumni, on a committee spearheaded by Peter Divine, Sigma Gamma ’84, to work on “Growing the Greek System” at SUNY Oswego. Peter is starting communication with college officials. This is all at the exploratory stage and as details unfold, I will share them. We are working to promote improved vitality and increased sustainability of the Greek system at Oswego. This is a difficult and timely task.
Currently I have no official news. There have been two short meetings, in which there were several participants from ASA, AD, Gamma, and single participants from Zeta, TKE, Phi Sig and I, representing Phi Lamb. Most alumna are from the 80’s. These are “open” calls so to speak, but as a prerequisite to being on the call, you really should be an active Greek alumnus who has regular contact/involvement with your active organization’s Alumni board in some capacity. If there are any supporting members of the PLPAA who are interested in assisting myself in representing Phi Lamb and working on this committee alongside all to achieve this goal, please email me at michelle.wellner@philamb.org.
Greek Life at Oswego began more than a century ago with so many of the original organizations still operating and celebrating important milestones. These organizations are iconic parts of Oswego’s storied history. Phi Lambda Phi is an integral part of that history. We have all worked hard to continue to keep Phi Lamb alive on campus. Greek life is an important component of the college life fabric. For myself, as well as most of you, Phi Lambda Phi has helped mold our lives, created some of our most memorable lifecycle events, and forged the most important friendships within our lives. For me this committee helps not only to promote Greek life, but the longevity and continuation of Phi Lambda Phi on the SUNY Oswego campus.
I hope to have full update within the next few weeks, with further conversation at our Alumnae luncheon at reunion.
Love in Phi Lamb,
Michelle
