The University's largest women's organization will focus on improving ties between sorority houses. Over the next year, the new Panhellenic Council Executive Board, elected last night by fellow sorority sisters, will focus its attention on issues facing women while strengthening unity between sorority houses. College junior and Pi Beta Phi sister Janelle Brodsky, elected president after serving as chairperson for Panhel's Penn Watch and safety committee this semester, said she hopes to see chapters supporting each other at philanthropy and joint social events. The board hopes to improve programming by conducting surveys to get sisters' feedback about past Panhel and chapter events, she said. Brodsky added that the board will provide more programs open to all women, stressing that Panhel is the University's largest women's organization. College junior and Sigma Delta Tau sister Liz Bernard, elected as Panhel's new executive vice president, will oversee the body's various committees and activities. Nursing junior and Chi Omega sister Meredith Lahl, the new vice president for publicity, said Panhel members plan to become more involved with various Philadelphia-based community service and volunteer organizations, in addition to their current philanthropy projects. "We want to make ourselves more available to the community," she said. She added that Panhel will take a stronger stance promoting alcohol awareness, an issue that has gained increased attention this semester after several alcohol-related assaults. Elected as the body's new vice president for rush, College junior and Kappa Alpha Theta sister Julie Galluzzo will be the first to administer Panhel's new, less formal rush process. The process will be "toned down," allowing women to spend more time talking with each other rather than being "bombarded the first day" with information, Brodsky said. Galluzzo said she will re-evaluate the new process afterwards by collecting feedback from women who have rushed. Galluzzo, who had served as the assistant vice president of rush, praised the outgoing board for its ability to work as a "cohesive group," adding that she hopes the new board will be able to build on the body's past success. "We helped each other out," she said. "[Officers] did not just focus on their own job." Panhel also elected Wharton junior and Sigma Delta Tau sister Stacey Finerman as treasurer, College junior and Alpha Chi Omega sister Michelle Fliman as secretar, and College sophomore and Alpha Phi sister Cara Schmid as assistant vice president for rush. Brodsky said she is confident in the new board's ability and level of experience. "I think we have a great group of women, and I am very excited to work with them," Brodsky said. She added that her own experience on a Panhel committee has given her a "solid understanding of the way the executive board works." The new board will officially take office February 4.
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