A new Interfraternity Council (IFC) initiative is calling on fraternities to promote the "core" values that chapters were founded upon -- and it's offering incentives, such as reduced IFC dues and social monitor costs, for participation.
The Commitment to Outreach and Responsible Education (CORE) initiative is an update of the Fraternity Rewards for Active Service and Programming, passed in January 2009. The new IFC initiative was unanimously approved Tuesday night.
IFC President Max Wendkos said it is important to emphasize all three components of CORE -- community service, philanthropic outreach and educational programming focused on issues faced by fraternity members, such as sexual harassment, hazing, dangerous drinking and diversity.
"The Interfraternity Council strongly believes that members of the fraternity community should be educated on these issues and that having this knowledge will facilitate the personal growth of our members," Wendkos said.
Wendkos said the IFC wants fraternity members to know events such as Wednesday socials are a privilege and not a right -- and these will be offered as rewards on a very limited basis.
The details regarding discounted dues and funding toward social monitoring events have yet to be ironed out, Wendkos said, but he knows they will be based on participation.
Incentives were created based on feedback from chapter presidents, philanthropy chairmen and community service chairmen, he said.
"I think it will really motivate fraternities to do this. Now it's fair to everyone -- everyone has an opportunity to win," IFC Vice President for Programming Christian Van Horn said.
Fraternities will be broken up into three divisions based on membership, receiving points based on participation.
In order to receive credit for participation, fraternities will be required to document their events. Wendkos said the documentation will allow the IFC to inform chapters' national headquarters and fraternity alumni of positive contributions.
Chapters will not earn points for mandated community service hours, according to the initiative's documentation.
Van Horn (junior-labor and employment relations) said he and a few other IFC executive council members will oversee CORE.
"[CORE is] a great program. I'm incredibly excited it was passed so easily by the presidents and I have a lot of hope for its success," Wendkos said.
Starting at 10 a.m. Sunday, "Greek Sweep" will help kick off CORE, with members from about 10 fraternities and sororities working to clean up the Highlands neighborhood after State Patty's Day.
Once a thing of the past, the IFC plans to hold more Greek Sweeps during large events in the State College community, like home football games and Halloween.
