It's My Job, but...

UNCG Multicultural Greek Council and Friends

...I hope that didn't sound how I think it might have.

Tonight, I went out to support our Multicultural Greek Council at Meet the Greeks, an event where they introduce attendees to the world of culturally-based Greek letter organizations. It was very well put together - I'd expect as much from these students - and featured culturally based Greeks from our campus and elsewhere throughout North Carolina. On multiple occasions throughout the night, members of the organizing sororities thanked me for being there. And I said, on more than one occasion, "It's my job!"

And it is, in the macro sense. In my support of fraternity & sorority life, I support ALL of the fraternities and sororities on campus. In my community, nearly two out of every three Greeks is a Panhellenic sorority woman. IFC men make up another substantial chunk, with both MGC and NPHC having smaller populations. It would be easy - justifiable, even - to divide my time proportionately, giving little attention to the smaller councils. But I make the commitment as a professional to support all of my students fairly. So yes, it was my job to be there, in support of my students. I said it much in the same manner that I might say "no problem" to someone saying thank you.

But there was no particular mandate to attend that event. That was a choice I made in the manner that I execute my position. So I hope when I said "it's my job!" my students didn't hear, "I'm here because I have to be," because that's not accurate. I was there out of duty and love to support our whole community. I sincerely thank those students who thanked me, because what they were saying is that it means a lot to them that I'm there for them as I would be for anyone else. I'm glad that they feel that way - because it's true.