News
By Becca Garrison
|
February 1, 2005
For the first time since the creation of the Black Fraternal Council in 1992, a black fraternity has left the BFC to join the Inter-Fraternity Council.
The Iota Beta chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha achieved the two-thirds vote necessary last Thursday to become full members of the IFC.
"Alpha Phi Alpha is a fantastic addition to the IFC because of the quality of their members, their organization and the presentation they gave to the IFC," IFC President David Bowman said.
Joining the IFC was a business move, Alpha Phi Alpha Secretary Cameron Webb said.
As the only black fraternity with a house, the constitution of the IFC matched the goals of the Alpha Phi Alpha better, Webb said.
Alpha Phi Alpha began looking at the switch this summer when comparing the constitutions of the two fraternal councils.
"It went from thought to reality very quickly," Webb said.
Now that the Alpha Phi Alphas have joined the IFC, they say they look forward to being able to show that they serve the University Community as a whole, not just the African- American community.
The biggest opportunity the IFC offers is "to be a part of a Greek community -- not just a black Greek community," Webb said.
The Alpha Phi Alpha chapter remains on good terms with the BFC.
"It was an organizational decision and we wish them the best," BFC Co-Chair Ryan Chatman said.
Alpha Phi Alpha president Brian Pennington agreed.
"We're going to make every effort to stay involved with the BFC and know their events and so support them," Pennington said.
