BIG-C hopes to increase campus presence

The new executive board of the Bicultural InterGreek Council has spent the last few weeks settling into their new roles after being elected last month. Members of the board say the group is going to focus on increasing BIG-C's presence on the Penn campus. The board's first meeting, held on February 8, marked the official transition of leadership. The BIG-C is the umbrella organization that oversees traditionally black and Latino fraternities and sororities with Penn members. Currently, the group has eight member organizations, five of which are active. "I expect [the new board] to continue the fine job their predecessors have done before them," Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Program Coordinator Larry Moses said. The new board is led by College junior Tia Rideout, a sister of Zeta Phi Beta. Rideout served as recording secretary on last term's board. The new vice president is Wharton sophomore and Alpha Phi Alpha brother Weldon McMillan. The position of recording secretary is held by College junior and Alpha Kappa Alpha sister Rene Ashworth. The new corresponding secretary is College junior and Alpha Kappa Alpha sister Zakiya Black. Although the board is still looking for a permanent treasurer, College sophomore and Alpha Phi Alpha brother R. Taj Frazier has agreed to fill the spot temporarily. Frazier will be abroad next semester. College junior Angela Holland, an Alpha Kappa Alpha sister, is the board's new parlimentarian. The new board has many goals it hopes to implement within the next year. Their focus will be on increasing the organization's numbers, visibility and sense of community with other Greek organizations on campus. "We're moving and we're growing," Moses said. "We'd like to see a revival among Greek life and an interest in Greek life," Holland said, noting that between 1993 and 1995 the BIG-C was a "strong" presence on campus, supporting fraternities and sororities with 20 to 25 members. "Nowadays, if you have eight to 10 members, you're good to go," she explained. In order to increase numbers and visibility, Rideout said that the group plans on putting together a pamphlet for incoming freshmen about the BIG-C and posting information on boards in the various college houses advertising upcoming BIG-C events. "I'm really excited," she said. "I have a lot of ideas." Outgoing BIG-C President Marcela Poveda said that the new board is working towards "being noted more on campus by everyone, not just people of color." The board plans on working to increase communication between the InterFraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council. As "umbrella organizations for Greeks on campus, it's important for us to work together as a collective unit," Holland said. "We are all Greeks on campus. That is one thing we do share." In addition, the BIG-C is working to organize an "all Greek" party during Penn Relays this April. The board hopes to create a sense of community by having one party for all the fraternities and sororities as opposed to individual parties by chapter. "We want to promote a sense of togetherness," Holland said. Holland also said that she is excited for a successful term but admits that this upcoming year will definitely be a busy one. "There's work to be done," she said. "We hope to make moves from here on out."

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