The University's Inter-Fraternity Council is an active and efficient organization that governs over 1,400 Greek students on Grounds, not a decrepit organization that condones illegal and inappropriate behavior as some make it out to be. The IFC proactively governs its member fraternities by encouraging community service and member education and does not under any circumstances condone hazing or underage drinking. In this column, I will strive to address the incorrect generalizations and to offer facts about the system instead of generalizations based upon limited personal experience.
First, the process for removal of IFC recognition, recently exercised in the case of Zeta Psi, is not merely a rubber-stamping procedure. Similar to a presidential impeachment, two bodies must approve the removal: the IFCJC and the Presidents' Council of the IFC, and the House of Representatives and the Senate for the U.S. government. When President Clinton was impeached by the House and then acquitted by the Senate, it did not reflect any lack of accountability within the federal government. The government was not invalidated because Clinton stayed in power. Moreover, the public embarrassment and scrutiny of the accused, in both cases, served as an additional sanction. The Presidents' Council vote reflects the opinion of the presidents and governing board members that Zeta Psi has a plan in place to positively change its culture and become a member in good standing within the IFC once again.
Second, the IFC is currently examining ways to improve its membership education program. The IFC has been working closely with the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life to develop a system to check attendance more accurately without causing undue amounts of paperwork. The current system relies on each fraternity president to, on his honor, submit the names of the brothers who attended an event such as an FOA.
Third, the IFC and its member fraternities are so committed to service that they far exceed any requirements from their nationals and the IFC. For instance, the FIJI fraternity raised more than $100,000 over the past three years through its Run Across Virginia philanthropy. Sigma Chi raises over $10,000 a year with their Derby Days philanthropy. Sigma Pi raised about $10,000 for charities this year. The list goes on. A recent poll of fraternity presidents found the average chapter donated $6,000 over the past year. Also, fraternity men give thousands of hours of service every year on top of their chapters' philanthropies. It is completely unfounded to say that IFC fraternities do not take community service seriously.
Recent criticisms of the IFC have delicately skipped over all of the community service efforts the IFC makes as a body. This past fall, the Crimson War blood drive collected 824 units of blood, which makes it the largest blood drive in the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Also, the IFC is co-sponsoring the construction of a Habitat for Humanity house with the Multi-Cultural, National Pan-Hellenic and Inter-Sorority Councils. Greek members, led in a large part by a few IFC men, raised all of the money for the house. Also, one chapter from each council works on the house every weekend. The Greek councils were so successful in their fundraising efforts that they have secured funding to build a second house next fall.
Fourth, the IFC's Party Patrol system has made great strides over the last three years towards a legitimate policing system. The local ABC agent, Special Agent Kevin Davis, has likely several times tested the system using underage individuals who attempted to gain entry to fraternity parties and receive alcohol. From all reports they were refused alcohol. Party Patrol is taken much more seriously by both fraternities and the IFC, seen through the 28 cases filed by Party Patrollers over the past year, compared to about 10 a year during the previous two years. As a critical person, I cannot believe that a 180 percent increase in cases filed represents turning a blind eye towards violations. Between Davis' testing of the system and the increased case-load, the IFC has made major steps towards legitimizing Party Patrol.
Finally, the IFC takes all possible hazing violations very seriously, but the nature of hazing, many times, makes it hard to uncover. The IFC recognizes that hazing does occur. However, there is an inherent difficulty in uncovering possible hazing violations because most incidents occur within the walls of a fraternity house. All instances of hazing that are uncovered are investigated and adjudicated with the utmost seriousness.
I appreciate the open discussion that has been started. However, I believe that many criticisms of the IFC are too often based on broad generalizations from personal experience and most critics fail to recognize all of the positive things the IFC and its member fraternities have done over the past year. As with any large governing system on Grounds, there is room for improvement. I hope that all members of our community will focus on the ways in which we can improve the system and not just rattle off negative experiences.
Andrew Paradis is a Cavalier Daily contributor. He is president of the Inter-Fraternity Council.
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