As the semester is coming to a close and final exams are fast approaching, there is a tendency for some to lose the energy that we once had when we first started. I am pleased to report that the Interfraternity Council has realized much of its vision for the future. From the onset of the election of the new executive board in December, the IFC has taken a firm stance on setting and attaining achievable goals. We have accomplished many tasks this semester and are already setting our sights on the fall semester while still focusing on the last few weeks of this semester.
In the past semester the IFC, in conjunction with many chapters and other organizations, put on several events and services for Rensselaer’s students. In the very beginning of this semester the IFC, the Dean of Students Office, and Panhel, sponsored a greek retreat for all the chapters’ presidents and the executive boards of the two councils. This provided a great way to meet other leaders of the greek community and brainstorm on how the greek system could be improved and how to better the entire Rensselaer community as a whole.
The IFC has also helped in the cosponsoring of events this semester’ such as the Black Student Association’s Fakin’ da Funk, V-day, and The Vagina Monologues. In conjunction with the office of the First-Year Experience, the Martin Luther King Jr. Embrace the Dream Community Service Day went extremely well, with several hundred greeks taking part. More recently, on April 20, the Dean of Students Office hosted the Greek Awards of Excellence, which honors the best of the best in the greek system here on campus. Several chapters won awards, ranging from community service to new member education to social responsibility. During the award ceremony, the greek community recognized four outstanding professors; Scott Bello, Kenneth Jansen, Deepak Vashishth, and Roger Grice all earned high praise for consistently performing outside the call of duty and helping the Rensselaer community as outstanding professors.
In the closing weeks, the IFC is pursuing several items of business. We are encouraging participation in Rensselaer’s Reunion Weekend in June, where chapters can open up their houses to alumni who may be interested in touring the house. Another aspect is continuing an increasing role of involvement with administration and professors. This also goes along with our commitment to work with the school toward a vision that is inline with the Rensselaer plan for academic excellence.
Please, if you have any comments or questions about any of the proceedings of the Interfraternity Council, please do not hesitate to e-mail us at ifc@rpi.edu.
