Penn State officials and fraternity and sorority leaders took part in a spirited discussion Friday morning concerning the perceived strained relationship between them.
The dialogue took place during the Penn State Board of Trustees meeting at the Nittany Lion Inn, 200 W. Park Ave., and came on the heels of an independent report studying fraternity and sorority life at Penn State.
The third-party study of the university's 86 fraternities and sororities -- conducted by Margaret Barr, professor emeritus at Northwestern University -- was released last February and examined critical components of the relationship between Penn State and the university's greek organizations. The report was made at the request of Vice President of Student Affairs William Asbury.
"We have a very strong system, but we are at a crossroads," Asbury said.
Scott Phelan, director of fraternity and sorority life, presented Barr's findings to the board. Among the report's primary recommendations were to establish a stronger communication relationship between the university and greek members, make a plan for risk management and social responsibility to monitor behavior, and continue to add culturally and academically based fraternities and sororities.
Phelan said small, task-oriented groups will be created to address specific concerns. Among those proposed committees is the Social Responsibility Task Force, which will look closely at social behavior.
"This is an area that has garnered a lot of negative attention, and it's definitely cause for concern," Phelan said, adding fraternities and sororities could be rewarded for holding non-alcoholic events. "We'd like to see movement on this issue by the end of the semester."
Trustee Helen Wise asked council presidents if alumni advisors feel they have strong support from university officials.
Interfraternity Council (IFC) President Max Pipman said that fewer than 10 alumni advisors of the 86 fraternities and sororities on campus are stationed in the surrounding area.
"There is somewhat of a geographic isolation, which is a problem," Pipman said.
Trustee William Weiss said he was impressed with the university's initiative and concern for the wellbeing of the greek system. But, ultimately, the responsibility of maintaining a strong fraternity and sorority community falls upon the members' shoulders, he said.
"The people who are living this issue are the ones who will solve it," Weiss said.
Trustee Ed Hintz, board president, assured the greek organizations that they have a strong ally in the board. More than half of the attending trustees are greek members or are married to one.
Several people expressed skepticism regarding the report's validity, calling attention to glaring grammar mis-
takes and an overly excessive focus on IFC.
Chris Chambers, president of National Pan-Hellenic Council, said the university's other greek councils were slightly disappointed by the report.
"The Barr report was overbearing on IFC. I don't think it was balanced," he said.
Hintz said the board will dedicate additional time at the next trustees meeting to discussion of the study.
