IFC elects new slate of officers

New officials pledge to improve relationship with University administors. The InterFraternity Council selected eight members Tuesday to lead the organization into the 21st century -- or at least through next year. Fraternity presidents and representatives elected the IFC's new board, including College junior and Alpha Chi Rho brother Matt Baker as the group's president. Implementing the IFC's 21st Century Report on an Ivy League Greek system will fall to the new board. Baker -- who replaces outgoing president and College senior Josh Gottheimer -- said he wants to continue to see the IFC act as a "powerful force to unify and direct fraternities." "I'd really like to see all 32 chapters unified even more," he said. He added that many of the outgoing board's initiatives have taken the IFC "into uncharted territory," and that he hopes his administration will continue that progress. College junior and Sigma Alpha Mu brother Jordan Matusow was chosen to be the IFC's new executive vice president. Matusow said he wants to continue to improve the group's relationship with University administrators. "The past executive board did a great job working with the administration, and we want to continue that," he said. IFC members also elected College junior and Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother Adam Silfen as vice president for rush and membership eduction; College junior and Tau Epsilon Phi Chancellor Jason Judd as vice president for academics and community programming; Wharton junior and Delta Tau Delta President David Poline as treasurer and College sophomore and Phi Kappa Psi brother Noah Bilenker as secretary. In addition, College junior and Pi Kappa Phi brother Aaron Kotok will serve as vice president for 21st century planning, and College sophomore and Alpha Chi Rho brother Josh Belinfante was chosen to be the IFC's new judicial manager. The 21st Century Report mandated the creation of Kotok and Belinfante's positions. Recent discussions about reforming the IFC's alcohol policy will require close cooperation between the Greek organization and the University, Matusow added. "We certainly don't want to 'go to war' with the administration," Matusow said. "There are excellent prospects for the reforms, and if turns turns out that the 'GreekCard' is the way to go, we'll back it 100 percent." Under one recent proposal, students would be able to purchase a "GreekCard" from the University at the beginning of the year in order to attend Greek functions. Baker said alcohol reforms are the "stickiest issue" he will confront during his term, although he noted that he wasn't involved in previous discussions over the proposed policy changes. "This year will be an incredible learning experience for all of us, as we continue along the lines of this year's board," he said. Implementing initiatives outlined in the 21st Century Report will be "very easy," Kotok explained. "The 21st Century [Report] initiatives are reasonable, and will serve as a framework for the IFC and the entire InterFraternity Council," Kotok said. Kotok said that he plans to increase awareness of the 21st Century Report by explaining the plan's components to all IFC houses and members.