The Interfraternity Council began its executive election process last night with open nominations during its first meeting of the semester.

The council will continue to accept nominations for the positions of president, administrative vice president and secretary/treasurer Jan. 22 and on election night, Feb. 5.

The newly elected council will begin its one-year term March 12.

Nominees traditionally meet with each fraternity president to exchange ideas about the future of the fraternity system and the IFC's role within it, IFC President Tom Lynch said. Additionally, candidates have an opportunity to detail their qualifications and ideas in a 15-minute speech at the Jan. 22 meeting, Lynch said.

At elections Feb. 5 candidates will be allowed a final one-minute speech to convince the fraternity presidents of their qualifications, Lynch said.

Besides running the council, the executive board appoints five executive committee members, IFC adviser Rick Funk said. These members chair specific departments of the council including fraternity discipline, University relations, membership and community relations, Funk said.

Those seeking office must have previously served as an IFC executive committee member or chapter president, Lynch said. They must live in their respective fraternity house and be a full-time student, he added.

Brian Kredo, IFC board of control chairman, said being a member of the executive council is a worthwhile experience he recommends to his peers.

"Being a member of exec council is an opportunity to lead a group you really believe in. I think we're a strong governing body -- it's a great opportunity," Kredo said.

Some offices of the executive council may lead to specific experience.

"I gained a lot of experience with a variety of borough offices which is very helpful for a political science major," said Chris Curley, IFC community relations chairman.

Curley added that he was glad to receive a chance to help steer a committee which has an effect on the fraternity and community.

"Most of all I got a chance to steer (community relations) away from public relations and focus on community service," Curley said.

In other business, Funk said the combined fraternity grade point average of 2.67 for the fall semester came within a hundredth of a point of the all men's average of 2.68. These scores were a significant improvement over last spring when the fraternity average was six-hundreths of a point below the all men's average, he said.