Throughout my four years of greek involvement on this campus, I have pretty much seen it all. I have watched chapters succeed and fail, people rise and fall, and reputations be created and destroyed.
One of the unfortunate things I have witnessed is the decline in precedence and authority of the Interfraternity Council, or IFC. Every Thursday a group of men, who have dedicated a year of their lives, gather to give back to the community to which we all belong.
This year, more than any year I can ever remember, the IFC seems committed to making a change, making a difference and making its voice heard.
"We are working hard to make sure IFC is offering a voice for the chapters," said Jason Matney, IFC secretary. "It is time we actually get things accomplished for those we serve."
Matney is right. Through recent IFC executive boards, the IFC has lost respect, power and influence. Through this board's short tenure, though, they have shown they are already taking a proactive role in the government of our greek community.
While IFC can obviously not change the university overnight, its members are making every effort to have a lasting impact that is felt immediately. IFC president Tony Bilotto said he has been meeting on a weekly basis with university officials to try to build bridges and mend fences that were shattered a long time ago.
It is good to see an IFC executive take such an active role in the university. It is a start. We, as fraternity men, must take a role as well. Bilotto cannot do damage control by himself.
We all must strive to make ourselves seen and heard at every possible instance. The reason why tailgating is gone, our parties are dry and the general atmosphere around the greeks is negative is because no matter what is pushed upon us, we say nothing.
It is far easier to deal with and destroy a silent army led by deer than a vocal army led by lions.
At every step of the way, every bend in the road, there are people who are waiting for us to stumble. Don't get me wrong, there are those who wish us great success. They want us to succeed. They allow themselves to be a resource for all of us. Unfortunately, those are the minority.
We as greeks can help give IFC the momentum it needs. The group's leaders can try their hardest, but without a willing and receptive community, they too will be remembered as an IFC exec board that spoke of great things but accomplished little.
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