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 Spring 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.
- Thursday, Feb 11, 2010 at 6:30PM - Room 491 in the Student Center (W20-491). Focus on mental health issues and resources.. This session will include a short presentation and discussion on each of the following areas - Mental Health Services, Student Support Services (S-Cubed), Nightline, and the Dean-on-Call program.
- Thursday, April 15, 2010 at 6:30PM - West Lounge in the Student Center (W20-201). Focus on ENTICE program and what recent sudents surveys are telling us. For a description of ENTICE see http://cdsa.mit.edu/entice/. The results of the program's extensive spring survey will be presented and discussed. Then an experienced CARMA, Herb Mower, will present a survey of his fraternity's new members and what was learned. This is a good example of CARMA entrepreneurship. The session will close with a user assessment/evaluation of the program and solicitation of ideas for the fall.
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, Assistant Director 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
