Representatives of the University's historically black fraternities and sororities met Sunday to elect the Black Fraternal Council's new executive board.
Third-year Commerce student Darren Kelly and third-year Engineering student Jason Bell were elected the Council's new co-chairs. Kelly represents Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and Bell is a member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
Kelly said the executive board aims to increase group cohesiveness within the BFC, the Greek community and on Grounds.
"Rather than just being an umbrella organization, we really want to get together on issues a lot more and get together as a council a lot more," Kelly said.
He added that he hopes individual organizations will work together on joint social and service projects.
Bell said a big challenge for the incoming Council will be battling stereotypes about who the BFC represents and what it does.
"Our challenge is to break down the misconceptions and not get stuck in the rut of doing the same thing," Bell said.
Kelly expressed similar sentiment.
"One misconception of the BFC is we have maybe a narrow view about what Greek life is about," Kelly said. "We don't just see things from one perspective, we strive to work with many groups that are not just historically black groups."
Bell and Kelly will be aided by vice chair Jude Norelus, a third-year Commerce student and member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Dimitri Hughes, fellow Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. member and second-year Engineering student, will serve as the BFC's next treasurer.
Secretarial duties were divided between second years Brandon Green and Kelsie Davis. Green, a College student and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. was elected recording secretary and Davis, a College and Education student of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. was named corresponding secretary.
Outgoing BFC co-chair Michael Dunkley, fourth-year College student and member of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc., said he is confident the incoming board members will do a good job.
"They're very enthusiastic about Greek life and that's all one can ask," Dunkley said.
Although the BFC represents three active sororities, Davis was the only female elected to the executive board, though Dunkley said he does not see this as problematic.
"It shouldn't cause any problems because the Council is at a point where communication is very key," he said. "Council doesn't make any decisions without its subsidiary organizations."
According to Kelly, the board will keep all organizations in mind when making decisions.
"With a close to all-male board, we need to make sure that we have all our ideas together and represent everyone, not just the fraternity side of things," he said.
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