Rick Barnes, former president of the Association of Fraternity Advisers, will speak to students about improving campus community at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Roberson Auditorium of Lumpkin Hall .

The speech, sponsored by the Delta Zeta sorority, will focus on problems that plague sororities and fraternities such as alcohol abuse, gambling, hazing, risk management, lack of leadership and failure to uphold stated values, a press release stated.

“Every fraternity and sorority in the world was founded upon important core values,” Barnes said in a press release. “Words such as integrity, honor, duty, character and loyalty appear in the oaths taken by members, and the mission statements of the organizations,” he said.

Barnes said in order for organizations to reach the goals their founders envisioned, members must live their lives according to the values they promised to uphold when they were intiated.

Destructive practices such as hazing, alcohol and gambling are all topics Barnes will discuss.

In addition to cautioning students about the hazards that can destroy chapters and individuals, Barnes teaches students leadership development in his speeches.

Barnes has been involved professionally with higher education and student organization issues for 18 years and currently serves on the board of directors of the North American Interfraternity Council.

A member of FarmHouse Fraternity, Barnes has been extensively involved in his fraternity as a volunteer, including eight years of service as an international board member and two years as vice president.

“He comes highly recommended,” said Kari Natale, sophomore journalism major and Delta Zeta member.