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Current Issue: Volume 130, Number 1 July 14, 2009

Ed/Op


Interfraternity Council
Institute, greek relations reviewed

Posted 01-31-2001 at 12:14PM

Raymond Lutzky
Interfraternity Council Vice President for Public Relations

The Statement of Relationship between RPI and Social Fraternities & Sororities was approved by the greek community and administration on April Fool’s Day of 1991. The task force on Institute-greek relations, chaired by then Dean of Students Eddie Knowles, put together a document with input from undergraduate greeks, advisors, and administrators. Its purpose was to give our greek system new solidarity. This document is substantial, and sometimes difficult to read, but it has provided structure to the ways that the greek system and RPI work together for the past 10 years. Many of you, I’m sure, have never even seen this document, and have been able to live on campus as a member of a greek organization without ever being aware of it.

Recently, however, RPI has taken steps to improve upon this document in an effort to re-affirm its commitment to greek life. The greek L.I.F.E. forum in late March of last year laid the groundwork and gained student/advisor input for the greek life task force (chaired by Interim Dean of Students Mark Smith) to work with. Now, almost a year later, the process of the rewriting is nearing completion. This comes after many meetings to discuss everything from recruitment to risk management. This input came from administrators and advisors to various greek organizations, but also from undergraduates on the executive boards of the Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association. The results of this redraft will soon be presented to the entire greek community for a period of review. It will be important that greeks read this document when it is made available, and give feedback.

This is a clear step in the right direction from RPI. While debates about the usefulness and validity of greeks rage on in online forums, and in such publications as The Chronicle of Higher Education, our Institute has taken a clear stance in support of greek life. They have invested a great deal of manpower, time, and effort in greeks, as well as placing the reputation and good name of the school in our hands. This level of trust is tempered by a need for greater understanding between the school and its greek system. That is why it is imperative that with the new version of the relationship statement on the horizon, greeks recommit themselves to their ideals, and to the university. It is only through mutual understanding and cooperation that our fraternities and sororities will flourish.



Posted 01-31-2001 at 12:14PM
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