Greek group working for better minority relations

Fraternity and sorority members are trying to improve Greek relations with campus minority groups and teach members about diversity issues with the newly formed Greek Social Action Committee. One of the committee's projects is a forthcoming booklet about diversity issues, which College senior Dave Benowitz, a member of the Tau Epsilon Phi fraternity, said will serve primarily as "a resource guide for Greeks." The booklet will include a section devoted specifically to fliers and theme parties, prompted by protest over recent a Sigma Phi Epsilon party advertisement which depicted a "lazy Mexican." "If a frat isn't sure what might be offensive, they can call someone listed [in the booklet]," said College senior Dave Benowitz. The committee has also held a forum on diveristy issues with Eracism, and has met with leaders of several student groups, including the Women's Center, the Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Alliance and the African-American Rescource Center. The committee arose partly out of what some members said is the University's failure to provide adequate diversity education. "The Greek system, like the rest of campus, is in need of diversity education," said College and Wharton senior Jeff Furman, a member of the Zeta Beta Tau fraternity. "The University talks a lot about diversity education but not a whole lot of global action is done." Members came from the three Greek umbrella organizations -- the Interfraternity Council, the Panhellenic Council and the Black InterGreek Council. Most of the individual houses have sent a representative. In addition, there is a representative from each umbrella organization. "The Greek system has a lot of resources," said Wharton senior Allison Abell, the Panhel representative and a member of the Kappa Delta sorority. "It's easy to find people within the system interested in diversity." Furman, the IFC representative for the 30-member committee, said that members will plan events with other student groups to encourage more positive interaction between Greeks and the rest of the University community. Pi Kappa Alpha member John Gamba said that the committee hopes to abolish negative stereotypes surrounding the Greek community. "We realize that we're accountable for our past actions," said Gamba, a College junior. "Now we want fraternities to stand for something better than what we've been labeled as."

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