New fraternity and sorority members will be getting a taste of different issues confronting Greek organizations in the coming weeks.
This spring, the Panhellenic Council and the Interfraternity Council will be implementing what they term the “menu system” of updated educational programs for new members.
The programs will enhance the New Member Education process in individual chapters through coordination of “educational resources” on issues such as alcohol, sex and drugs, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Scott Reikofski.
Each new IFC member will be required to attend one of five workshops in the next two weeks. Workshops include several put on by the Drug and Alcohol Resource Team, “Sex at Penn: The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly” and collaborations with the University Honor Council, the Office of the Chaplain and the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center.
“We’re aiming to reduce risky behavior by asking students to think before they act,” Reikofski said. “No one is unrealistic enough to think that no drinking will take place.”
According to IFC President and Wharton junior Christian Lunoe, the diverse range of programs aims to encourage new members from each chapter to attend different workshops and share what they learn with each other.
Former Panhel President, former Daily Pennsylvanian editor and College senior Alissa Eisenberg said new sorority members from each chapter will be encouraged to attend sessions together to provide a “bonding experience.”
In addition to workshops on drugs and alcohol, the Panhel menu includes a violence and prevention workshop in collaboration with the Penn Women’s Center and a workshop titled “Values Institute,” which will explore the importance of sororities as values-based organizations.
“New Member Education is much less daunting when there are upperclassmen walking us through,” College freshman and Sigma Kappa new member Megha Kosaraju said. “Older girls go out of their way to have lunch with you on a one-on-one setting.”
In response to concerns about hazing on campus, Reikofski said OFSA will address issues “proactively and appropriately.”
OFSA receives a number of anonymous phone calls reporting hazing incidents each year from students and faculty members, Reikofski said.
“Most of the time people aren’t going to take the time to speak up if there isn’t some element of truth to it,” he added.
Lunoe said OFSA and IFC are aiming to develop a program to provide chapters with a list of resources with non-hazing activities, which will be available on the IFC’s upcoming website.
“Certain rituals should be kept secret, but never at the expense of members’ comfort and safety,” Lunoe said.
