V.I.S.I.O.N.S. cancelled until fall

V.I.S.I.O.N.S. was cancelled for the spring semester to allow time for Director of Diversity, Cultural and Judicial Affairs Robert Dotson to reevaluate the program.

V.I.S.I.O.N.S., which stands for Various Illustrations Sharing and Introducing Students to New Students, takes place every semester. The program's history at Texas A&M University-Commerce can be dated back to 1980.

"Ideally it is an educational orientation program that started for students of color," Dotson said. "What I found when I got here in 2005 is that the focus of the program had shifted from educational to entertainment."

Over 20 campus organizations participate in this event, including Greek organizations, National Pan-Hellenic Council, NAACP, Kappa Delta Chi, Student Government Association, African Student Association, Campus Activities Board and many more.

"It's a chance for the minority organizations to show the incoming students who they are," National Pan-Hellenic Council President Kiandra Gildon said. "It's a showcase."

According to Greek adviser Amber VanLue Johnston, V.I.S.I.O.N.S. provides certain fraternities and sororities an opportunity to "showcase sisterhood and brotherhood."

In past programs, participating fraternities and sororities have created entertainment by performing different steps as a way to introduce their organizations.

"It's not just about entertainment," Dotson said. "It started as educational and will continue to be educational. I'm attempting to figure out how I can balance the two."

According to Dotson, there will be a V.I.S.I.O.N.S. program in the fall semester and the participation of Greek organizations will still be encouraged and welcomed.

"Greeks have been and always will be part of the program," Dotson said. "It wasn't cancelled to exclude Greeks; it's just time to redefine the program."