EDITORIAL: Not Greek to us

The 21st century report forThe 21st century report foran Ivy League Greek systemThe 21st century report foran Ivy League Greek system-unlike some other plansThe 21st century report foran Ivy League Greek system-unlike some other plansand pilots we've seen thisThe 21st century report foran Ivy League Greek system-unlike some other plansand pilots we've seen thisyear - offers a realistic setThe 21st century report foran Ivy League Greek system-unlike some other plansand pilots we've seen thisyear - offers a realistic setof future goals and strategiesThe 21st century report foran Ivy League Greek system-unlike some other plansand pilots we've seen thisyear - offers a realistic setof future goals and strategiesfor their achievement.The 21st century report foran Ivy League Greek system-unlike some other plansand pilots we've seen thisyear - offers a realistic setof future goals and strategiesfor their achievement.______________________________ The 21st century report boosts academic standards within the Greek system and places greater emphasis on scholarly achievement, through chapters' selection of faculty advisors and the colonization of a chapter of Gamma Sigma Alpha, the Greek National Honor Society, at the University. Monetary awards will provide additional encouragement and support for high chapter grade point averages and proposals for independent research among Greeks. The report also mandates continuation of the Greek system's dedication to community service and philanthropy, as well as increased activism of members on the issues of cultural and sexual sensitivity and campus security. New member education programs will be both simplified and more strictly regulated, so that both members and new affiliates fully understand how to avoid violating established antihazing and other University policies designed to ensure personal and physical safety. Notable, too, is the report's mention of technology, and its recommendation that chapters establish listservs for efficient communication with members and World Wide Web home pages for communication with the outside world. Other universities should be able to see the results of our Greek system's efforts to strengthen itself from within, beginning with and working from this plan. Increased joint programming and communication between the IFC, Big-C and Panhel may result from these changes, too. The Greek system has had its share of slip-ups this semester, which we have covered unapologetically on our news and editorial pages. But we see the benefits of Greek life, too, and we believe this plan represents the start of something good. To fulfill its promises, the 21st century report needs to be embraced by member chapters, set to a mutually agreeable timetable and followed, rather than shelved, as reports around here tend to be. Whether you're Greek or not, read the 21st century report, printed in Tuesday's DP. Consider what its suggestions would -- or could -- mean to you, and let the report's authors know your thoughts via e-mail: greek21@pobox.upenn.edu