U. Council discusses Greeks

The University is seeking to enhance its relationship with the Greek system and foster safer road conditions in University City, according to administrators at yesterday's University Council meeting. The University Council -- comprised of Penn administrators, faculty members and student leaders -- convened to hear reports and updates from various committees. Diane Spatz of the Committee on Quality of Student Life presented a number of recommendations for changes to the Fraternity and Sorority Advisory Board. "We have had lengthy and thoughtful discussions about the problems and positive effects of fraternities and sororities at Penn," she said. Spatz proposed adding one faculty member to the FSAB -- bringing the number of faculty members to four -- while reducing the number of Greek Alumni Council representatives from three to two. The rest of the board will be preserved at three Greek students, one non-Greek student and two non-voting administrators. University President Judith Rodin questioned the reason for a non-Greek student to sit on the board. Why would "a person who isn't involved in the Greek system... consider it a good use of [his] time to be involved in the" FSAB? Rodin asked. Spatz answered that the purpose of the non-Greek member is to offer an impartial opinion. Spatz also spoke to the plaguing problem of underground organizations, underscoring the need for a good relationship between the Greek system and the administration. "Eliminating Greeks on Penn's campus is not an effective strategy," she said. Vice Provost for University Life Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum said that her office "enthusiastically endorse[s] the recommendations." University Chief of Police Tom Rambo updated the council on the "Share the Road" campaign, launched earlier this month. Rambo said that the Department of Public Safety will continue to educate the Penn community about the laws regarding motorists and cyclists. Police will distribute educational pamphlets to any motorist or cyclist found in violation of a traffic law and later in the spring, violators will be ticketed. Rambo believes this new campaign will save thousands of lives. "If we don't do something about [safety] now, we will see many more accidents," he said. Rodin voiced her full support of the campaign. "This is part of a long-term effort that was started when the University tried to get the government to paint bike lanes," she said. "This is phase two: utilization and enforcement."