Chapter Alumni Risk Management Advisor Program (CARMA)
PURPOSE:
MIT has been working with alumni to develop this program since 2004. The purpose of this program is to open dialogue and develop strategies to effectively address risk and provide support for the undergraduate risk managers in our living communities. The Alumni Risk Management Advisor Program seeks to establish an ongoing working relationship between alumni and the MIT administration to provide another level of support for the Fraternity, Sororority, and Independent Living Group (FSILG) community and their membership. This is a specific, time-limited role, but one that can really help in young people's unfolding lives. More than eighteen FSILGs have now defined such a role and more plan to do so.
The program also sponsors periodic larger group meeting for the larger community on topics aligned with our interests. These are the meetings for the Fall 2010 Term. As always, student leaders and interested MIT community members are also invited and contribute immensely to the discussion. Food and refreshments are provided.
- Tuesday, September 28 at 6:30PM in the Main Dining Room of the Religious Center (W11). Focus on current surveys and what they are telling us. This session will examine relevant results of a campus-wide undergraduate survey administered this past spring that looked to assess levels of four main types of violence (hazing, sexual assault, physical aggression, and relational aggression) and the risk factors that contribute to these behaviors. We do not delve into tough issues like these, but MIT is not immune. Last year MIT received a two year U.S. Department of Education grant aimed at reducing alcohol-related violence across campus: the MIT Alcohol-Related Violence Initiative (MARVIN) and this has enabled a deeper look. We will also review interesting findings from our own CARMA survey sent out this August.
- Tuesday, November 16 at 6:30PM - location TBD. This session will involve student leaders and provide updates on the IFC, Panhel, and LGC judicial processes, followed by a fall term progress report on the ENTICE program. For a description of ENTICE see http://cdsa.mit.edu/entice/.
ROLE DESCRIPTION:
Each Alumni Risk Management Advisor is provided with several opportunities throughout the year to meet with student risk managers, Alumni Risk Management Advisors from other communities, and MIT administrators. They will learn what resources are available in the MIT community and also have opportunities to provide feedback on current educational initiatives like the Panhellenic Risk Management Program, the ENTICE program, or the social host/server training, which is now required for two-thirds of the house membership as part of the Interfraternity Council alcohol certification process.
The Alumni Risk Management Advisors role description was first developed by several of the early alums who took on this role. Recently, the scope of the program was broadened somewhat include wellness and related student health issues. Several recommended activities and discussion questions with chaper officers were also collected. As noted above, we also try to have at least one large group session each term, with an invited guest. We typically meet with MIT administrators, IFC and Panhellenic leaders, and MIT Police to discuss issues such as the following:
- Current climate in the cities of Boston and Cambridge
- Student health and wellness issues
- IFC policies and IFC Judicial Committee bylaws
- Panhellenic Association programs and key initiatives
- Emergency Medical Services and other MIT Medical resources
- Strategies to respond to substance abusing or at-risk individuals before their behavior impacts the community
- Role of the Alumni Risk Management Advisor & questions for discussion with the student risk manager
This Program is sponsored by the AILG. If you are interested in participating, please contact Bob Ferrara '67, Senior Director in the Division of Student Life at rferrara (at) mit.edu & 617-253-7495, or Marlena Martinez, Interim Assistant Dean for FSILGs, at marlenam (at) mit.edu or 617-258-9762. Or talk to any of the current group of Alumni Risk Management Advisors.
RESOURCES:
Here are some other useful handouts (as PDF files) from previous group meetings.
- Dealing with an intoxicated student or guest
- Risk Management policies at a glance
- Tips on running a safe party
- The IFC Risk Management Policy
- The IFC Judicial Committee Bylaws
- The IFC Constitution as of November, 2007
- Staying Healthy @ MIT Booklet (a 211KB PDF file)
- Student health resources at MIT Medical
