Ifc

[SGill4613]

Hey guys. I just got elected as IFC president for next year and I have a question for all of you. My big thing is that next year is going to be the "Year of the Greeks" on campus. I was wondering what things your campus does/did to promote Greek life in general.

Being a small school with only 4 fraternities (and one losing their charter over the last school year) and 4 sororities and dwindling numbers, any ideas that you might be able to share would help me out greatly.

Thanks a bunch.

in ZAX

Matt

[Tom Earp]

Matt, congratulations on your election!

It seems to get tougher each year trying to coordinate Greek Relations amongs the Groups, and the sad part is, that they hurt no one but them selves and the Total Greek Community. For a while, it was border warfare between LX and SigEp accross the street. That is straightened out now. But a new war has cropped up between the PIkes and SX who live next door to each other. The Pikes live in the old SX house.

It was brought up this weekend and the School is getting very peeowed about it. I have been in touch with the IFC Pres. at Pitt State U. Ks. who is a STG and wants to help LXA rebuild which I give him credit for. The stronger the Greeks on Campus become, the better the Greek system will be!

It sounds like you have a good idea and I wish you the best on getting it implemented.

"IF" you can get each one to do it, a high profil event for some good around campus or the town would be great.

Everyone wearing their Letters haveing press media coverage would be outstanding to build the reputation of the Greek Community!

[JonoBN41]

Charities are always great for PR. Toga parties are not. Think more along the lines of jackets and ties, flowers, and kids. This is conceptual, you'll have have to come up with the final ideas yourselves.

Good luck with that and congratulations! As IFC President you have a lot of responsibility regarding PR on campus and to the general public in the area. Set your goals high and don't be afraid of sounding nerdish.

If 'nerdish' is not a word, then I just coined it. If Earp can do it, I can do it.

ZAX,
Jono

[lifesaver]

Visibility, visibility, visibility.

You have to get it in peoples minds that to do anythign or be anyone on your campus you have to be greek. Theres a synergy that has to be created in order for it to work. Lots of events; joint or individual on capus and around.

Also, have everybody set up a set of letters (the big ole wooden ones) on campus somewhere if the school will let ya'll. Liek up a gainst a building. Kinda depends on the greeks relations with the university tho.

Good luck and congrats.

[Tom Earp]

Matt, what school?

Do you have a web site and if so, is it on Brother Jon Sagaras web site??

There are many of us from larger and smaller schools and might give us a better idea of what you face.

[SGill4613]

No, our website is currently under construction. I'll send him the link as soon as it's done.

I go to High Point University, not college, as the website says it is. We do have an alumni site though, iotaphi.com

Like I said, we have 3 fraternities, (one just had its charter revoked) and 4 sororities. Greek life has been kinda sad recently, so this is why I plan on making next year the "year of the Greeks" Any ideas anyone may have are welcomed.

[Ottor 246]

Charities are good, especially for relations with the community where your school is located (can we still say "townies?") I'm not sure that's exactly what you're after, though. What you need to do is to show the other students on your campus what fraternity/sorority membership can give them that they can't get anywhere else. Also, with the small number of GLOs you have, you need to try to get the most visibility with the least amount of effort. If you try to be everywhere and do everything, you'll burn your people out in a hurry.

There are lots of things you can do to promote the greek system. What kinds of things do the greeks on your campus do now? Does your school have a homecoming celebration? And if so, do the greeks do floats, etc.? Do you have Greek Week? Will the administration allow you to hang banners in the field house or some other prominent location? When the new freshmen arrive on campus, who helps them move in and find their way around?

The most important thing with an undertaking like this is: can your fraternities and sororities get along with each other? As was stated previously in this thread, you've got a lofty goal and wasting energy on turf wars and pissing contests will not help you accomplish it.

You've got a vision of where you want to go. The next thing you need to do is get the rest of your workforce (i.e. the other greeks) to buy into that vision. Earnestly solicit ideas from the other greeks, and try to use at least parts of them. Maybe you could even meet with members of each organiztion. Let them see your commitment and enthusiasm. If you can make them feel like it's their project, too, your results will be much better.

And finally, to the extent you are able, dissuade your fellow greeks from doing anything stupid. Most non-greeks (can we still say "GDIs?") don't know one greek letter from another. To them, a Lambda Chi Alpha is the same as a TKE or a Theta Chi. The reason we have rush is so non greeks can learn what the differences are. All it takes is one newspaper report of hazing, vandalism, a busted party, you name it, and all your hard work is undone.

If you can give me some more specifics, I'd love to help you flesh out your ideas.

Mark "Ottor" Brenneman
Phi Tau Zeta #246
Shippensburg U. Class of '94