Last night, the InterFraternity Council elected 10 fraternity members to comprise next year's leadership board.
Current Executive Vice President Seth Cohen ran unopposed for the IFC presidency, and he, along with the rest of the board, are scheduled to take over the group's leadership in mid-January.
The reigns of the organization will officially be turned over to the Wharton junior and other elected officials at the conclusion of spring rush, which will now require a $5 participation fee.
According to current IFC President Conor Daly, Cohen's lack of opposition was "a testament to how much support he had from the fraternity system and from the fraternity presidents" in his current leadership role.
"I'm extremely excited about the quality of the board for next year," Cohen said.
"I think we are very well-positioned to move the IFC in the right direction and into the implementation of the Program for Excellence," the Zeta Beta Tau brother added.
By electing officials two months before they are scheduled to take office, the organization hopes to achieve a smooth transition between leaders. Additionally, during this time, the IFC aims to further educate its future leaders on changes that are set to occur within the system, such as the IFC's new $5 rush fee.
The current president emphasized that while the fee may appear to be a recent addition to the process, it has merely "been in a period of dormancy for about a year." Daly said that he predicts the fee will be a way to generate revenue for the organization without interfering with the traditional "free-flowing" and relaxed rush atmosphere.
In addition to this upcoming change, Cohen and Daly aim to push the incoming board to concentrate on the organization's long-term goals of increasing faculty involvement in the Greek system and implementing a system of alcohol risk reduction awards -- which would encourage fraternities to hold on-campus, registered parties rather than off-campus, unregistered events.
The IFC also plans to continue its crusade against "pseudo-Greek" groups -- or "secret societies" on-campus.
"It's too important for us to let go," Daly said.
Cohen echoed the current president's sentiments on the matter.
"We will continue to monitor our concerns about these organizations," Cohen noted, explaining that while "there is currently no plan for action against pseudo-Greeks," the IFC will continue to acknowledge the presence of the "pseudo-Greek" organizations on Penn's campus and their negative effect on the University's fraternity system.
While Cohen currently has no new plans for the IFC, he expressed enthusiasm about continuing to work toward achieving the organization's pre-established, long-term goals.
"I'm looking forward to working with the rest of the board to pick up where Conor's left off," Cohen said.
Along with Cohen, next year's board will be composed of Executive Vice President Conor O'Callaghan, Vice President of Rush and New Member Education Patrick Brugh, Vice President of Academics Mark Schilsky, Vice President of Community Service John Pomeroy, Vice President of Communications Bret Hovell, Secretary Ronny Grunwald, Treasurer Greg Eisner, Judicial Inquiries Board Manager Adam Smith and Program for Excellence Implementation Officer Patrick Willis.
