For 20 years the Center for Fraternity and Sorority Life (CFSL) operated with only two full-time advising staff members. That changed this semester as the center hired two new assistant directors.

“A lack of staff made a really big difference in how we could have a positive impact with the community,” said CFSL assistant director Jami Slaton, who has been involved with WSU’s Greek community since 2003.

Joining Slaton this semester are Nicholas Hudson, the assistant director of non-residential multicultural fraternities and sororities, and Evan Englander, the assistant director for residential fraternities.

“Focusing on values integration helps teach individuals what they can offer society,” Hudson wrote in an email. “When students use their values (what they believe is most important) to guide their behavior they become more effective, more productive, and create the life that they want to live.”

Hudson came to this conclusion through experiences with his own chapter and involvement with student government. In the future, he plans to strengthen the programming.

As president of both her chapter and the Panhellenic Council as well as a chapter adviser and undergraduate worker for the CFSL and Dean of Students’ Office, Slaton noticed a lack of staff members during her 11 years at WSU.

With nearly 4,000 members in the Greek community, the small staff wasn’t able to successfully support the whole community. A problem observed throughout the office, it led to the new positions.

“There’s time and energy pumped into those students, so we can really focus on mutual community’s priorities and goals in a stronger fashion than maybe we’ve been able to in the past,” Slaton said. “The great benefit of having this position is there is an individual who’s solely dedicated to the development and growth of the multicultural fraternities and sororities.”

The positions are split so there is a certain priority given to the United Greek Council and the National Panhellenic Council.

With the assistance of Hudson and Englander, CFSL staffers hope to give more priority and services to its members.

Each academic year, the CFSL teaches three classes, goes on four overnight retreats, hosts six all-day workshops, coordinates two recruitment processes for more than 1,300 students, and organizes the selection process for 50 Rho Gammas (recruitment counselors).

The CFSL also meets monthly with 55 chapter presidents and advises more than 30 council officers on a weekly basis.

The center is located in room 315 of the CUB. It is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m Monday through Friday.