Sigma Chi Beta Iota
Alumni Association
Sigma Chi Undergraduate Website
University of Oregon
Changing Perceptions and the Abusive Culture of Alcohol
Through Smart Networking, Smart Courses and Smart Publicity
By John Hibbs, October 12, 2005
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SUMMARY: This proposal has two elements inextricably tied together. The first element recommends we dive deep into the alcohol mitigation pool with a splash so big it can change the perception of Sigma Chi from problem-maker to solution-provider. The second element lays out a plan to build an innovative, affordable networking apparatus to improve fundraising, recruiting, outreach and splash publicity. Both are hugely important.
The underlying permise is that if we don't improve the perception of who we are and what we do, and we don't network effectively, we won't attract outstanding young men. And if we can't do that we won't be able to deliver what we sell. And if we can't do that, we might as well close up shop.
Costs:The first element asks Sigma Chi to pay the license fees for courses from AlcoholEdu for all '06 freshmen entering Oregon, OSU and Willamette universities. At maximum, this would cost about $100,000. The second element - for the 12 months of services necessary to build the communications apparatus and carry out the publicity campaign - would cost about $80,000.
About AlcoholEdu: The Company offers a 2.5 hour on-line course with amazing technology and solid peer-reviewed results collected from more than 400 universities. Their theory is you can't change the culture of collegiate alcohol abuse without "inoculating the herd". They do it with mandatory courses for all incoming freshmen. It's novel. It works. And it's the kind of education delivery model that makes for a splendid learning experience - and very large publicity.
About the Networking Team: Hand-in-glove with our offer to Oregon schools, I propose that Sigma Chi fund a publicity and broadcast team that can reach every college newspaper in the country; 100 (plus) community newspapers; The Chronicle of Higher Education; tens of thousands of listserv subscribers in the technology, education, alcohol mititgation and Greek Life arenas plus very important sectors of the blogosphere. They can do this with affordable technology in use by the smartest webcasters and webmasters on the planet. We call it FanCasting - which is like podcasting - but on steroids. The goal is to emulate the splash made by the Times Square/Joey Harrington billboard.
Film: Serious consideration should be given to include the film-making resources used to create the Beta Pi Ten film. The power of video is too important to ignore; and the upsides too large. Costs? $50,000 would buy a lot.
Who? John Hibbs and some savvy individuals he has worked with for many, many years in the wide, wide world of distance education. Plus the makers of the Beta Pi Ten Film. Resumes and Plan details upon serious request.
