Bridging the Gap

[Hootie]

At my University (which a commuter campus) BGLOs and the GLOs don't really intermix. I would really like to bridge the gap somehow but I don't know exactly how! The reason why I'm curious is because I will be the Greek Public Relations director and although I am hired only for Panhellenic, I'd like to serve the interest of all GREEKS (regardless of color).
Do any of you have similar problems, solutions or comments? Perhaps some of the BGLO could recommend a way/event to help the two greek societies get together?! I hope I'm not offending anyone, just curious!
Thanks!

[LexiKD]

At East Carolina we have the same issue. This year we are putting together an ALL GREEK COUNCIL for everyone. Some suggestions have been to have an ALL Greek, Greek Week. Another school did it and the NPHC did not feel comfortable fully participating the first year so they kicked off the week with a step show and now every year that's what starts Greek Week.
Ideas are endless, you could do all types of group programming, we just did "Bridging the Greek Gap", a number of speakers and advisors spoke about the differences and the similarities of IFC, NPHC, and NPC. You could do a campus lawn party, talent show, or just a meeting with all the presidents to talk about ideas. We have just gotten an all Greek advisor and he is awesome, so we will be doing all sorts of new things to promote unity. I think anything would be good to get things started and then the suggestions/criticism will pour in!
GOOD LUCK!

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Lexi Hasapis

[IotaNet]

To Hootie (and the group):

In my experience, the thing that most often keeps the Greeks seperated is the actual structure of the governing council(s) at a given schools. Because the different councils (NPC/NPHC/IFC) tend to have different focii, they exist as fragmented entities.

The scenario that I have seen that best addresses this issue worked this way:

There is one Greek Council that consists of ALL social (non-service/honorary) GLO's on a given campus. This council is called the "Inter-Greek Council (or IGC)." All groups on this council have an equal voice and they deal with issues/activities that affect Greekdom as a whole on campus.

Reporting to this "Inter-Greek Council" are 3 sub-councils, NPC, IFC, and NPHC. Each of the sub-councils addresses concerns that are specific to its member organizations.

For example, Formal Rush and Bidding is specifically an NPC construct so discussions concerning those items are handled by NPC. On the other hand, Party Dates and Intake are NPHC concerns so those things are dealt with in the NPHC sub-council meetings.

The key is that each sub-council is treated as an equal and each organization has an equal voice in IGC matters. Under this system, I saw a great deal of unity, respect, and understanding fostered between all of the groups on campus and it led to some very interesting and gratifying inter-greek activity on campus.

If you have more questions, plese feel free to drop me a line!

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IotaNet
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc.
3AH80

Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity
Zeta Nu Chapter, Spring, 1979

[Hootie]

Thank you for the useful information IotaNet and ECUDK. I am going to approach our Greek Advisor and see what she has to say about the Inter-Greek Council!
Thank you again! I'm excited to start working on this with all your help!
Amy