Greeks come to terms on agenda

Plainview, N.Y. Members of the InterFraternity Council and the Panhellenic and BiCultural InterGreek Councils looked to their future last year, reaching agreement on the 21st Century Report for an Ivy League Greek System. The December 2 report outlines new initiatives and highlights preexisting programs across eight areas -- including academics, community service, technology, security and community partnership. Because each umbrella organization faces its own needs and requirements, the report's initiatives are organized by group. Members of the groups said the report reflects the differing needs and goals of the three organizations. "It symbolizes our collaboration amongst each other, but it also highlights differences among our organizations, and the different needs and goals we have," said former BIG-C President and Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc. brother George Holt, a 1997 Wharton graduate. University President Judith Rodin noted that the "ambitious" plan serves as a model for Greek life nationwide, and Greek leaders boasted of other schools' requesting information about adopting part of the plan on their campuses. The plan's framers said they aimed to align the report's themes with the University's Agenda for Excellence, a five-year strategic plan established in 1995. "Our cornerstones including academics, community service and community partnership are reflective of the University's goals," said former IFC President Josh Gottheimer, a 1997 College senior. Some initiatives from the report have already begun to be implemented. In September, the IFC began preliminary phases of the Greek Safe Houses plan, a safety program which would designate on- and off-campus fraternity houses as havens for students. And as part of the technology section of the report, a $350,000 loan from the University supported the GreekNet initiative to wire all of the University Greek houses for ResNet. Panhel and IFC also adopted new community service requirements and secured of a faculty advisor for each chapter as a result of the report. Additionally, the IFC added the positions of Vice President for Academics and Community Service and Vice President for 21st Century Planning to its executive board to assist with further implementation.