On Sunday, several hours before fraternities were required to initiate all pledges, the Inter-Fraternity Council hosted its second annual MadBowl Madness philanthropy event.
The proceeds from the 7-on-7 flag football tournament went toward Step Up! U.Va., a student-run organization that promotes bystander intervention and seeks to educate students about strategies and techniques to use in situations involving sexual assault, hazing and alcohol and drug abuse.
Step Up! was chosen because it offers services directly applicable to the Greek community and University life more generally, said second-year College student Tommy Reid, IFC community service chair.
Originally an independent organization, Step Up! is now linked with Second- and Third-Year councils.
“[We want to create a] robust community of care,” said third-year College student Jon Torre, co-chair of the organization. “[We want] a society in which all members look out for each other, whether they are strangers or great friends.”
With increased instances of violence around Grounds and in the surrounding community, Torre said, the importance of bystander intervention and stronger relationships between both people and organizations must be emphasized.
“Bystander intervention is not only applicable to big incidents like hate crimes and assault [but also] everyday life,” he said.
As one of the largest student organizations on Grounds, the IFC was eager to use its influence within the University to bring people together and encourage dialogue and promote change, Reid said. “It’s really nice that we have something that everyone on the governing board would say is one of the main purposes of the fraternity,” Reid said. “Which is to serve the community at large and to promote relations between different organizations.”
Read More
Fourth-year Bodo’s orders — creative or catastrophic?
By Lizzy Goldstein | 4 hours agoWhile this selection of bagels had winners and losers, it is safe to say that the Class of 2024 has taken full advantage of the Bodo’s menu over the years.
The naked party uncovered
By Mia Tan | 23 hours agoThe naked party, founded by fourth-year Architecture student Wells Woolcott, is the first of its kind at the University in recent memory.
A second chance to dress for graduation
By Julianne Saunders | 2 days agoI have learned to see my college graduation not as a way to make up for the past but as an event worth celebrating on its own.
