The BiCultural InterGreek Council, the umbrella organization for Penn's historically black, Latino and Asian fraternities and sororities, continues to develop its plans to become a more central force in the Penn community.
BIG-C President and Lambda Upsilon Lambda, Inc., brother Chris Padilla explained that while the organization encompasses seven chapters made up of college students from institutions throughout the area, he hopes to increase the BIG-C's presence in Penn's campus life.
"We're just trying to be more visible on campus this year -- especially this semester," Padilla said.
Padilla said that the organization plans to achieve this goal by playing a more central role in campus activities that have traditionally been sponsored and organized by Penn's more well-known Greek organizations -- the Panhellenic and InterFraternity councils.
"Relative to what we've done in the past, we're trying to increase the amount of events we're seen at along with Panhel and IFC," the College junior explained.
Padilla added that the organization plans to have an active role in Greek Week by sponsoring an event on Oct. 18, in which both students from inside and outside the Greek system "can learn about BIG-C's role on campus."
But the BIG-C is not limiting itself to Penn-based events.
Instead, the organization is stressing chapter participation in city-wide, community service-oriented activities such as the Diabetes Walk, scheduled for Oct. 6, and Philadelphia's AIDS Walk on Oct. 20.
"All of our organizations are founded on the basis of community service," Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Program Coordinator Larry Moses explained.
Moses elaborated on this sentiment by citing weekly, chapter-sponsored community service events such as visits to the local soup kitchen and participation in school mentoring programs.
Although specific service activities for this semester are still in the planning stages, board members stress their goal of increasing the BIG-C's role in the community.
"We're trying to work on more community service initiatives this semester," Treasurer and Alpha Phi Alpha, Inc., brother Jason Wiley said.
"I think it really allows college students to give back to the area where we go to school," the Wharton senior explained.
Padilla went on to say that working within the community "continues to enforce that sense of community" felt within their own city-spanned organization.
In addition to adding community service events, the BIG-C is looking to increase its numbers during the upcoming fall season.
While uncertain as to which chapters plan to participate in this semester's recruitment process, the organization was certain that a more central role in campus life would lead to larger rush numbers.
"If things go as planned, we're looking to double our numbers," Moses said.
The organization plans to not only increase their rush numbers, but also to incorporate another chapter -- Delta Sigma Theta, Inc., -- during the upcoming semester.
Moses explained that currently the BIG-C has to wait "for official notification from the national headquarters" before the chapter can be colonized on campus.
Despite these plans to increase community service and campus-based activity, Moses said that the organization will not lose sight of its number one goal -- academics.
"We want to keep [academic excellence] as our primary focus," Moses said.
Wiley echoed this sentiment, saying that members of the BIG-C will always make academics a top priority.
"We're here for school first and everything else second."
