[IowaHawkeye]

UI reassigns Greek system supervisors


By Sara Faiwell




The Daily Iowan



The UI administrator who oversaw the Greek system for 22 years was reassigned within the Office of Student Life Wednesday, as investigations into alleged hazing incidents continued.

Mary Peterson will be replaced by Jason Pierce, an assistant director of student life, who has been also been working with the Greeks for the past year.

Leaders of the Greek community criticized the move, saying it will be hard to replace Peterson's advocacy for fraternities and sororities.

Phillip Jones, the UI vice president for Student Services, who is Peterson's boss, did not return phone calls on Wednesday. Peterson's reassignment, though, comes one month after Jones expressed widespread concern with the status of the Greek system.

"I think the whole system is in question about whether there should be a Greek system," Jones said on an audiotape obtained by the DI, later adding: "I think we got a major problem in the whole system."

University officials, members of the Greek community, and administrators within the Office of Student Life either declined to comment or said they weren't sure of the circumstances behind the personnel change.

Peterson, a renowned national speaker for Greek affairs, helped propel the UI Greek system, said Chris Niro, the president of the Interfraternity Council.

"She has really been a great advocate for us, which is why this is a tough issue," he said.

The decision of reassignment comes in the middle of a university hazing investigation regarding the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. Possible sanctions against the fraternity are expected this week.

An anonymous ex-member of the fraternity who was allegedly hazed -- forced to consume large amounts of hard liquor in a 25-minute span, among other activities -- said he went to Peterson within the last month to voice concerns. He said Peterson told him to leave and declined to hear his story.

"She didn't want to deal with it," said the member, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "She is the head of affairs and wouldn't talk."

However, fraternity presidents say Peterson, who teaches two classes at the UI on leadership, has always been a person whom they hold in high regard.

Kevin Condon, the president of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, said he is surprised by the reassignment and intrigued to find out why the change was made.

"I had a really good relationship with her," he said. "We had no problems with her dealing with my house."

Personally - I see this as a move to kick the Greek system when they're already down. They saw the opportunity to take away one of our greatest resources and friends in the University (Mary Peterson) and quickly replaced her with someone who has less expereince and will possibly cater more to administstrations agenda. Ugh, whatever....