Students, faculty and administrators gathered in the Newcomb Hall Ballroom last night for the Inter-Greek Committee's first annual State of the Greek System Address.
The IGC is comprised of representatives from the University's four Greek governing councils:the Inter-Fraternity Council, the Inter-Sorority Council, the Black Fraternal Council and the Multicultural Greek Council.
IFC President Ryan Ewalt, ISC President Cahill Zoeller, MGC President Melody Han and BFC Co-Chairs Jason Bell and Darren Kelly each discussed significant past, current and future initiatives of their respective councils.
"One of the things we want to accomplish through the [address] is to show the University community where the Greek system has been, where it is now and where it is going," said Ann Thorne, the undergraduate intern for the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, who helped plan the event.
The event was open to all members of the University community to provide an opportunity for both involved and uninvolved people with the Greek system to voice any questions or concerns, Thorne said.
The address commenced with a brief synopsis of the history of the Greek system given by Aaron Laushway, associate dean of students and director of fraternity and sorority life.
"The students have heard me say for many years now that fraternities and sororities are the best vehicles for student self-governance," Laushway said.
The IGC originally had planned for the first State of the Greek System address to occur in November 2002, but it was canceled in part as a result of the death of Jack Chen, a member of the Lambda Phi Epsilon Fraternity, he said.
Following Laushway's presentation, each Greek council leader addressed issues specific to his or her council, beginning with Bell and Kelly.
Bell discussed BFC social events and both local and nationally-mandated service projects.
Kelly then addressed some of the BFC's goals for the future, including an increased sense of presence and awareness of BFC organizations. The BFC currently is exploring the possibility of establishing permanent houses for BFC organizations, Kelly said.
"The BFC would like to create a lasting and permanent presence in the Charlottesville community," he said.
Ewalt then took the microphone to briefly discuss the history of the IFC and some of its current and future initiatives.
A major difference between the IFC and Greek governing councils at other institutions is the IFC's high degree of student self-governance, Ewalt said.
"The IFC is not interested in merely maintaining a status quo," he said. "We want to create a lasting and significant change in the Greek community ... to strengthen the IFC and ultimately strengthen the entire University."
Zoeller next presented the historical context of the ISC and highlighted some of the collaborative projects between the ISC and other student organizations such as the University's National Organization for Women and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Team.
"The ISC has a strong commitment to University outreach as well as to the female undergraduate population," Zoeller said.
Lastly, Han discussed the MGC's history, recent initiatives and future goals.
With more and more student groups petitioning to join the MGC, executives have reevaluated what it means to be part of the MGC, Han said.
"Our diversity is our greatest strength," she said. "This year, the MGC seeks to lay not just any foundation but a strong and stable one."
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