Student leaders receive backing at conference

By KEIGHTLEY WITTICH
Collegian Staff Writer

Three University students were elected to executive positions by about 950 students who attended the Northeast Interfraternity Council and Northeast Panhellenic Council's annual conference last weekend in Philadelphia.

Although University students usually hold positions on NEIFC and NEPC, they have never held three positions at the same time, said Gwen Nese, Panhellenic Council adviser. Nese also said the University has never filled both president positions simultaneously.

PHC President Kati Wiggins was elected NEPC president, incoming IFC President Bruce Booth was elected NEIFC president and Ed Kilpela, incoming IFC administrative vice president, was elected NEIFC secretary.

Booth said he is not worried about the time commitments of being both IFC president and NEIFC president. Most of the work for planning the conference for next year will take place during the summer.

"The amount of time is not that large. . . . Hopefully not -- I'm also president of my house," said Booth, a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, 220 N. Burrowes St.

Wiggins also said it would be helpful that she and Booth are both from Penn State.

"It will be easy for us to work together," said Wiggins, a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority, 101 Hibbs.

Both presidents already have ideas for the conference next year, including discussing alcohol policies. Hazing, rush policies at small and large schools, judicial policies and relations between IFC and PHC were brought up at this year's conference.

Although individuals may get new ideas by attending the conference, Booth said Penn State's Greek system is so large and developed that it often does not benefit from the discussions.

"The sentiment of the group is 'Let's see what Penn State does.' Penn State probably doesn't gain too much as a system when we go there," Booth said. "As a system, we'd probably be better suited if there was a Big Ten conference, but there's not."

There had been plans to develop a Big Ten conference, but they have been put on hold due to the prominent positions Penn State will have in the northeastern conference, Booth said.

"It could be a conflict of interest," he said.

Rick Funk, Greek Life coordinator and NEIFC awards chairman, presented Penn State's IFC with the Funk Award for Leadership Development, the Public Relations Award, the Publications Award and the Lunsford Award for Overall Excellence. Twenty-five universities had competed for the awards.

Penn State's PHC, competing with 15 other universities, received three awards, including the Scholarship Award, the Overall Excellence Award and the National Panhellenic Editors Association Publication Award for excellence in rush booklets.

Collegian Staff Writer Courtney Cairns contributed to this report.