Greek governance to split into IFC, CPA
Campus Times
December 12, 1997
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."
