Greek system tries to improve community ties

While recent incidents have spotlighted problems within the Greek system, many feel that the fraternity's contributions have been overshadowed by bad publicity.

Fraternity presidents claim that recent allegations, which temporarily closed two fraternities and a sorority, put the system in a worse light than it deserves. In response, the Greek System is trying to emphasize their community outreach and charitable activities.

"The Greek system has gotten a lot of bad publicity recently," Alpha Phi President Alyssa Unger said, "but I think it's a case of people hearing the bad things but not the good."

In an effort to publicize community outreach, the Inter Greek Council (IGC) is in the process of publishing a Greek newsletter. The newsletter will include an article from each house highlighting recent community events. Each fraternity has a "philanthropic chair," which is responsible for coordinating charitable events.

Although they have increased their public relations, fraternity presidents said they have not changed what charity they do. "We haven't changed our efforts, but times are tough and we're under scrutiny," Theta Chi President Andrew Laskowski said.

Laskowski said there was an increased emphasis from the IGC on "promoting our name better," in light of recent events.

Sigma Nu began a new program with local elementary school where brothers work with children with mental disabilities. The program has been a "great success" according to President Joe Cerra, and already has a waiting list. Sigma Nu received a letter of appreciation from the school district commending the program.

Last Friday, Theta Delta Chi (123) and LCS Cancer Outreach sponsored a three-on-three basketball tournament where proceeds benefited the Jimmy Fund. After the tournament there was a barbeque at 123, and t-shirts were also sold for the event to help raise funds. The t-shirts are still being sold by LCS for $10 each.

Alpha Phi held a club night first semester where a club was rented out and the sorority arranged for bus transportation for students. All proceeds, along with additional funds from the sorority, were donated to cardiac charities. Alpha Phi also co-sponsored a haunted house on Halloween for local charity and rented Hotung for an evening to hold a dance and collected cans for a local food pantry.

Greeks also hold events which promote community awareness, but not specific charitable activities. Yesterday the IGC held "Mudstock 2003," a mud volleyball tournament on the residential quad where Greeks played against teams from other campus activities. The event was also held in the fall, and featured free food and music was provided for the whole campus.

The IGC also has funds to co-sponsor events, which it calls, "one of the best ways to improve relations" with the community at large.

Greek members also see personal benefits for charitable events. "I think that charity is important for everyone to do... its sometimes easier for us to do it when we have the group of people," Unger said.

Dean of Students Bruce Reitman praised the efforts of the Greek system, noting that they constitute the second largest charitable group after the Leonard Carmichael Society.

Still, Reitman criticized the Greek Life for "straying" from its original focus on community, charity, and academics. He called this semester "a period of reflection" and a time where the Greek system should "refocus on those goals which were the origins of these organizations and the principles on which they were founded," Reitman said.

Fraternity leaders in the past have expressed confusion at expectations from the administration, and the circumstances that lead the disciplinary action.

Reitman expressed hope for an improved relationship next semester. The administration is looking to make an offer within a week for a new Director of the Office of Greek Life. "We hope the mentoring that the office can provide can help in the focus of the system back to its [original] values," Reitman said.

Unger said the new position would clarify expectations from the school. "After this semester the main thing I'd like to make sure is we aren't seen as being against the school but a part of it." The new director would also be responsible for ensuring accountability among the Greek system.

Two finalists are being considered which were selected from a pool of over 150 applicants. The new director would ideally start by June 1, and be fully operational by the start of next semester.

Reitman hoped that the new director will be able to refocus on the positive aspects of the Greek system. "Frankly, I am glad if these issues were going to happen, I'm glad they happened before this new person came in, so the first thing they had to do wasn't disciplinary," he said.