Greek leaders go on retreat

The executive boards of the Interfraternity, Panhellenic and Bicultural Inter-Greek Councils went on a retreat last weekend to promote understanding within the University's Greek system. The retreat, held at a camp in southern New Jersey, was sponsored by the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, and included representatives from all chapters of campus Greek organizations. "It was really good," Panhel President and College junior Suzanne Rosenberg said. "I think we cleared up a lot of misunderstandings." Interfraternity Council President Hayden Horowitz agreed that the weekend was a success. "There was a lot of curiosity between the organizations," the College junior said. "There was a lot of brain picking." The highlights of the retreat included presentations from Students Together Against Acquaintance Rape and the Drug and Alcohol Resource Team. Kappa Alpha Theta president-elect and DART member Nikki Huberfeld ran a two-hour workshop Saturday morning aimed at helping fraternity and sorority members with substance abuse problems. "It was highly interactive," she said. "Everybody had quite varying viewpoints and with that came openness." Huberfeld added that she learned a lot about the Greek system, and particularly about the Big-C, at the retreat, which ran from Friday to Saturday night. "I feel like the whole weekend was very informative and worth my time," she said. One topic only briefly dealt with was a proposal in the preliminary report of the Commission on Strengthening the Community to move all Greek rush to sophomore year. Rosenberg said Panhel reviewed the policy closely and is strongly against it. "Upon reviewing the Commission's report, the Panhellenic Council does not believe that the Commission has [neither] thoroughly investigated the dynamics of our present system, nor [taken] into consideration the ramifications of such a recommendation," Rosenberg said. "In fact, imposing sophomore rush limits women's choices." she added. "Our current process allows for both freshmen and sophomore women to rush, recognizing that they have the option to decide which time is best for them." Rosenberg said she hopes Panhel will be able to discuss the proposal with the Commission, "in hopes of generating a more informed recommendation." Horowitz, who also participated in the discussion, has said in the past that he opposes the Commission's proposal.