U. to reevaluate Greek housing capital funds

IFC to implement spring rush University President Judith Rodin dispelled rumors Wednesday that part of her plan for improving undergraduate education would dismantle the Greek system. But funding for Greek housing improvement projects will remain on hold for now -- to face "strategic" changes in the near future-- and the InterFraternity Council will implement spring rush next year. During an hour-long meeting, Rodin told officers of the Greek Alumni Council that fraternities and sororities will play a role in the 21st Century Undergraduate Initiative. But the system may face some changes as a result of new efforts. Rodin also said speculation that plans included reducing the campus Greek population from 30 percent to 10 percent is nothing but rumor. "Her position last night was that the Greek system can be embraced by a new University system," GAC Chairperson and Alpha Chi Omega alumnus Andrea Dobin said. Dobin added that the mission of Greek organizations may have to change in order to be competitive in the new system. "Her position, which I think is absolutely appropriate, is that the Greek system will be subjected to a market force test," she said. "If the University can now create its own social life on campus, it will just mean the Greek system will have to provide as good or better social life." Although specifics were not outlined at the meeting, projects that will affect fraternities and sororities include the implementation of a "college house system" and changes in the funding structure for chapter renovation projects, according to Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Director Tricia Phaup, who also attended the meeting. Rodin emphasized that the current moratorium on capital funding for house improvement projects will not mean the end of University funding to Greek organizations. "Greek groups will not be coddled, but they certainly will not be dismantled, either," Dobin said. The current freeze, which applies to all major investment initiatives across the University, is designed to give the new administration time to evaluate the system and organize funding in a more goal-oriented fashion, according to Associate Vice Provost for University Life Larry Moneta. "We need to put it in a big package rather than having a component here, a component there," Phaup said. Rodin said the capital expenditure program and the program to improve Undergraduate life will work together, rather than having funds dispersed through unrelated projects. Because Rodin did not specify a timetable, GAC members will still await a date on when any projects will be implemented. "I think she's got some good ideas for housing in the future," said GAC Assistant Vice Chairperson Bill Staples. "Hopefully they won't wait too long to implement it all." Ideas concerning the "college house system" are part of the 21st Century Undergraduate Education Initiative, and Rodin said Greek organizations are part of the plan. "Clearly we're going to want the fraternity system to relate to the undergraduate college house system," Moneta said yesterday. He added that he does not see an inherent conflict between University housing and Greek housing, and that the administration has not planned to build more housing to compete with the Greek system. Also discussed at the meeting was the alcohol policy -- including the InterFraternity Council's new "Bring Your Own Beer" rules. "[GAC is] asking the University to look at alcohol concerns across the board for all students," Phaup said. Perhaps the most important development, according to Phaup, was the communication between the president and GAC. "Basically the tenure was the opportunity for them to meet one another and to know that they can be resources for one another," she said.

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