Greeks search for advisors

In a move they hope will improve their relationship with the rest of the University community, the InterFraternity and Panhellenic Councils have begun to search for faculty members to serve as chapter advisors next year. The advisors are supposed to help each chapter plan academic events-- such as guest speakers -- and serve as mentors to chapter members. As part of the Greeks' 21st Century Report, each IFC chapter is supposed to select its faculty advisor by September 1. Panhel chapters will finalize plans for their advisors this week. IFC President Matt Baker, a College and Engineering junior and Alpha Chi Rho brother, said his organization is "pushing" to fill the advising positions, adding that many faculty members have already contacted the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs about the spots. Baker stressed that "we do want to get the word out to all faculty," and noted that IFC Vice President for 21st Century Planning Aaron Kotok, a College junior, began drafting a letter to the entire faculty recently explaining the positions. Kotok said that the letter will be sent to faculty this week after being approved by the IFC executive board. And the Pi Kappa Phi brother said the IFC would be willing to work during summer vacation to ensure that every chapter has its advisor in place by next fall. But Baker noted that plans for the advisors might not be finalized until next spring. And Panhel chapters --Ewhich were supposed to have advisors in place by the beginning of last month -- may not finalize their plans until later this week, according to Panhel Scholarship Chairperson Alison Dick. "It was hard for everyone to jump right in," the Wharton sophomore and Sigma Delta Tau member said, noting that Panhel did not receive a master faculty list until the beginning of this semester. "But two weeks ago, every chapter was basically done [finding an advisor]." Several Greeks said the advisor system benefits both students and faculty. In addition to helping the Greeks with their academic programming, faculty could explore the possibility of holding classes in chapter houses, which Baker said could "help break down that Greek versus non-Greek barrier on an intellectual level."