Presidents of the four Greek councils gathered last night to participate in a forum sponsored by Student Council Diversity Initiatives addressing inter-council relations.
The leaders of the Inter-Fraternity Council, Inter-Sorority Council, Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council discussed topics ranging from how to improve mandatory diversity-related programs for members to whether the existence of four separate councils fosters self-segregation at the University.
Ryan McElveen, panel moderator and chair of the Diversity Initiatives committee, asked the leaders to consider how the four councils can work together to influence the University community in the way the councils have worked together on philanthropic projects such as Mid-Autumns Carnival.
ISC President Massie Payne noted that leaders of the four councils present a "united Greek front" to incoming students and also encourage University students to participate in their social and philanthropic events.
Other presidents agreed, noting that their mutual goal is to ensure students feel comfortable taking part in the activities of an organization within any of the four councils.
The panel members also agreed that the randomization of first-year housing could benefit their organizations.
NPHC President Joyce Adelugba said randomized housing could allow members of organizations within the different councils to interact more and could encourage greater participation in each council's activities.
The panel also discussed the issue of increasing diversity on Rugby Road.
Incoming MGC President Jovian Ho said organizations within his council "can't dream of" purchasing a house on Rugby Road because small alumni bases limit their financial resources.
Adelugba noted that because of younger councils' inability to afford houses on Rugby Road, the organizations within these two councils suffer from a lack of social space and affordable security options for social gatherings.
Following a question from an audience member, the panelists discussed the possibility of the creation of a unified Greek council at the University. The four presidents agreed that a combined council would not be in the best interest of the individual organizations within each council.
"Our organizations offer members different things," Payne said, noting that students seeking a larger sisterhood might feel more comfortable in an ISC organization, while those seeking a smaller community may prefer to join a NPHC organization.
Ho added that the councils allow the different needs of each organization to be properly addressed.
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