After many years of revision, the updated Relationship Statement between Rensselaer, the IFC, and Panhel will help in fostering a better mutual understanding of our principles and values; it is in the process of being signed off by chapter presidents and national representatives, and has already received the green light from Dr. Jackson. This relationship is important in enhancing and strengthening greek life at Rensselaer. The relationship statement will hopefully be a model for all campuses and their greek organizations to follow in, as many campuses do not have one. It will be taking effect on January 1, 2006, assuming no setbacks in the signing process.
In October, Greek 101, a new program designed to inform new greek members about what it means to be part of a greek organization here at Rensselaer, saw a successful first run. The initial curriculum was developed by the Alumni InterGreek Council in conjunction with the IFC and Panhel, while the event was facilitated and organized by the Dean of Students’ Office. There were learning experiences on both sides of the program; not only were participants learning from presenters, but they were also learning from each other. All new members present were broken into groups consisting of members from different fraternities and sororities at RPI. These groups embodied the strong interfraternal bond that the IFC and Office of Greek Life are trying to establish in the greek community here at Rensselaer. After its first year, many changes were noted and they will be addressed and rectified before next year’s program.
As the end of the fall semester approaches, the IFC is preparing for a big transition. The current Executive Board will experience nearly a 100 percent turnover as a new E-Board is elected. New ideas and initiatives will be added to the “to do list,” while successful initiatives from this past year will be carried over. This is always an exciting time as the leadership within the greek community will have a chance to review the year and reflect on how it can make the fraternal experience here at RPI a more positive one for both greeks and the unaffiliated campus community.
