IFC aims to use UA elections to gain influence

Ten of the Undergraduate Assembly's 34 members are fraternity brothers or pledges, but some InterFraternity Council leaders hope upcoming UA elections will bring an increase in the Greeks' student government representation. "We deserve more representation," IFC President Matt Baker said. The College and Engineering junior in Alpha Chi Rho added that brothers have the power to gain a large number of UA positions because Greeks represent 30 percent of a student body which is largely apathetic to campus politics. "A lot of people could really care less about [the UA]," said College junior Aaron Kotok, the IFC vice president of 21st century planning -- whose name will appear on UA ballots this month. But "accessible" fraternity brothers could bring students closer to their representatives, the Pi Kappa Phi brother said. A UA member who wished to remain anonymous said he's "known of plans by the Greek system to take over the UA as early as November." But Baker said fraternity members' interest in acquiring UA seats heightened after the rejection of UA Vice Chairperson Larry Kamin's proposal to help fund fraternity parties. The resolution -- which failed 10-8 -- suggested that the UA provide $20,000 in matching funds if the IFC, Greek alumni and the University could raise the other $130,000-$180,000 needed to sustain fraternity parties next year without charging at the door. But despite the resolution's failure, UA members who are in fraternities already heavily supported the proposal, with six votes in favor and one abstention among fraternity members at the UA's February 23 budget meeting. "A lot of people are frustrated and angered [that] the UA -- representative of the student body -- basically said [to the IFC], 'Kiss my ass'," Baker said. UA Facilities Committee Chairperson and IFC Secretary Noah Bilenker explained that a "co-sponsorship" recognizing the IFC as an official branch of student government was required before the IFC could receive funds from the UA treasury. Baker -- who is considering running for a UA position -- said he would like to see "people who really care about all the issues" assume office, regardless of the IFC's status. IFC Vice President of Community Service and Academics Jason Judd said the IFC "started to understand that the Greeks could have a voice in the UA [which] basically tries to be the undergraduates' voice to the administration." The College junior and Tau Epsilon Phi president added that Greek UA members approached fraternity chapter presidents about recruiting brothers to run for UA positions, which he did more than two weeks ago -- before the budget meeting. But Baker denied any organized plan. "That would imply some sort of plot, which it's not," Baker said. "There's no official push from the IFC" to fill the UA with Greeks. And Judd said the presidents stressed that "people should only run for the UA if they're going to approach the job in a responsible manner." Director of Student Life Activities and Facilities Fran Walker said Greek interest in student government last peaked "quite a few years ago" and was probably the result of a change in the the University's alcohol policy in response to BYOB legislation. She added that fraternity and UA membership would not present a problem of conflicting interests since "everybody's in a variety of communities here." Baker said students representing more than one organization could either act objectively or abstain from voting. "The average Greek is involved in 2.6 [extracurricular] activities," Baker said. "Our goal is not to take over and take all the money [because] in a way, if we steal money, we steal from ourselves." But UA Chairperson and College junior Tal Golomb warned of the commitments UA members must give. "People have to be prepared to give a lot of time [and] deal with a whole breadth of topics," Golomb said.