by Araceli Esparza
Editorial Assistant
Beginning next fall, the University of La Verne’s Greek organizations will be under the guidance of two separate governing bodies, each based on a Greek organization’s gender.
Both national fraternities will be governed as the Inter-Fraternity Council (IFC), while the sororities, which include two nationals and one local sorority, will be recognized as a governing body of the College Panhellenic Association (CPA). Presently, both fraternities and sororities are directed by the Inter-Fraternity Sorority Council (IFSC).
“The first time the idea was brought up was in spring 1997 when CPA was formed here,” said Sharlyn Preece, vice-president of IFSC. “Because we now have two national sororities on campus, it was required to have Panhellenic as well.”
Prior to spring 1997, the issue was not of much concern, because only one national sorority, Sigma Kappa, existed on campus. However, when Phi Theta Chi became recognized as the national Phi Sigma Sigma, the idea of CPA became more relevant.
According to Preece, CPA was created for organizational purposes. She described it as being easier and more beneficial.
Therefore, throughout 1997, as each of the five Greek organizations met weekly under IFSC, the issue was proposed, motioned for discussion and later passed.
In initial conversations the Greeks looked at IFSC as becoming an informational tool while the other two organizations would be the main governing bodies on campus.
In the future, though both sororities and fraternities will be recognized as being under their individual bodies, IFSC will not be completely eliminated.
Melissa Jaunal, coordinator of student programs said, “In just initial conversations, we’re looking at CPA and IFC as being two governing bodies, but IFSC is intended to be kept and used as an informational tool between the two.”
Complacent to plans made by the Greeks’ governing body, CPA and IFC will still continue to meet together as IFSC in the future. Arrangements will be made, in order that the two meet monthly to “promote and encourage the Greek community,” said Preece.
“We don’t really know what it’s going to look like yet,” said Jaunal. “Not having IFSC as a governing body any longer will affect the line item in ASF [Associated Students Federation Forum], eventually.”
According to both Jaunal and Preece, one of the present concerns as a result of these changes is the allocation of funds from the Forum. Because IFSC will be divided as CPA and IFC, the Greek governing body must make arrangements to allocate a funding system through ASF.
“ASF wanted to support the Greek system in some way. ASF funds are a concern, but the issue [of CPA and IFC] has not been proposed to ASF at this point,” Jaunal said. “Greeks just need to figure things out and make a proposal.”
Current actions and decisions toward the issue seem favorable as becoming realistic. If all goes as planned, each group will deal with its own issues separately.
“Sororities will be dealing with sorority issues and fraternities with fraternity [issues]. The next step is getting the guys to work on their part in forming IFC,” said Preece. “It’ll be successful, I think. Planning and putting the idea into effect is going on this year, and next year it will start up.”
In regards to future expectations, Jaunal believes the changes will be neither “better or worse. It’ll be different.”
“The women in Panhellenic are making a great effort to cut out competition, and IFC has similar goals,” she said. “Each gender group will work within its own system and structure. The idea addresses issues important to each different group.
“We want to see the Greek system progress and evolve in a positive direction. I don’t think anyone will be opposed, it’s a good idea.”
