IFC, Panhel and BIG-C leaders gather for executive retreat

For many students, this weekend's weather was an excuse to engage in all-out snowball fights on College Green. But the InterFraternity, Panhellenic and BiCultural InterGreek Councils' executive boards and chapter presidents joined forces for a Friday and Saturday retreat at the Poconos Environmental Education Center -- a two-and-a-half hour drive from the University. Pi Beta Phi President and College junior Sue Vivolo said the retreat provided her a "good time to get to know the [other] presidents," adding that she is excited to work with them -- as well as IFC and BIG-C. Friday night the Greeks participated in "Personal Leadership 101," a workshop presented by the leadership group Empower X. Panhel President and College junior Jessica Lennon, a Delta Delta Delta sister, explained that the facilitators emphasized personal competency and initiative for the leaders. And Panhel Vice President of Rush and College junior Jen Wigman added that Empower X set the tone for group interaction. "They actually were the ones with the cheesy bonding activities," the Alpha Chi Omega sister said. Baker, Lennon and BIG-C President Jason Rosas led a panel on inter-Greek relations Saturday. According to Lennon, each executive president represented his or her own umbrella organization, but most of the chapter presidents' questions were directed towards Rosas. "BIG-C was a mystery to Panhel and IFC," BIG-C Treasurer and Wharton sophomore Diana Gonzales said. But the Sigma Lambda Upsilon Sosority, Inc., corresponding secretary said BIG-C members enjoyed learning about IFC and Panhel as much as they enjoyed teaching others about themselves. IFC President and College junior Matt Baker added that he hopes the weekend will lead to increased cooperation between the three umbrella organizations. "It would be a shame if we didn't pool our resources," the Alpha Chi Rho brother said. The executive boards also met with their own chapter presidents. Lennon said after listening to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski's presentation, the sorority sisters discussed how to work with administrators, the community and the student body. "OFSA is our biggest advocate," she said, adding that Reikofski had presented his office as the Greeks' "liaison with the University." Panhel also outlined goals for uniting during the upcoming year. "We are the largest women's group on campus," Wigman said, adding that she hoped Panhel would be able to function as one body, rather than eight separate chapters. IFC members also discussed how they would implement the 21st Century Report. "I kind of took a step back and let them run the meeting," Baker said of College juniors Jason Judd and Aaron Kotok -- the IFC vice presidents in charge of academics and community service and of 21st century planning respectively. Judd -- who is also president of Tau Epsilon Phi -- said he'd like to set up a journal, "sort of like a dining guide" to inform chapters about the various opportunities for community service. He added that although the IFC's average GPA has historically been at or above the all-male average GPA, he plans to set up tutoring and academic advising sessions for the "less than 1 percent" of brothers whose GPAs are 2.15 -- the minimum required for fraternity membership. Judd and Kotok said they will work together to make the 21st Century Plan "come true." Kotok explained that he will monitor how individual chapters deal with the 21st Century Plan. The Pi Kappa Phi brother added that he hopes to see fraternities as "more of an asset" to the University.