Racism, stereotypes and misconceptions were among the topicscandidly discussed at Gamma Phi Epsilon’s third annual EnlightenmentForum held Wednesday night at The Backdoor in Aztec Center.
In an attempt to unite the greek community, all four greekcouncils met to discuss different issues and gain an understandingand appreciation of their differences. Sixteen greek organizationswere in attendance, with representatives from each one answeringquestions on a panel.
Panhellenic governs sororities, the Interfraternity Councilgoverns fraternities, the United Sorority and Fraternity Councilgoverns culture-based sororities and fraternities and the NationalPan-Hellenic Council governs African-American sororities andfraternities.
Gamma Phi Epsilon President Steve Flores and Alpha Chi OmegaPresident Jena Magalit directed the forum, asking the panelistsquestions and allowing for comments from the audience. Flores urgedpanelists to be completely honest when answering questions.
“I don’t want people tip-toeing around answers,” he said. “Reallystand by what you believe in.”
One topic of concern was stereotypes that seem to prevent thecouncils from interacting with each other.
Eric Tse, president of Beta Omega Phi, said one of the stereotypeshis fraternity members have is that Panhellenic and the IFC are”white” councils.
He said the best way to eliminate such stereotypes is by beingopen-minded.
Marc Schaeffer from Tau Kappa Epsilon was in the audience and saidthe only way that all four councils can interact positively is byforming a single unified council.
“If we don’t want to interact together, then keep the separatecouncils,” he said, “but if we’re going to interact together, weshould join as one, because we all are greeks, right?”
A possible solution was offered to alleviate tensions between thegreeks, which would involve a greek week including all four councilsuniting into one large greek community.
But would the groups be willing to participate?
Juan Camorena, president of TKE, said he wasn’t sure how realisticof an idea that is.
“It would be difficult to do and I don’t know how successful itwould be,” he said. Realistically, TKE members and other IFC greeksdon’t understand a lot about the other councils, he said. A lot ofnegative attitudes exist, and if people go in with negativeattitudes, it is not going to work, he said.
Andi Jacobs, president of Gamma Phi Beta and member of the greekweek committee, said steps are being taken to combine the fourcouncils for greek week.
“I do believe it is feasible,” she said. “It’s all about theattitudes.”
Javier Barragan, president of Sigma Pi, said he welcomes thechallenge.
“It would break down the barriers that everybody feels are there,”he said.
Panelists were also asked how they felt about the recent decisionmade by the Associated Students Council to vote against granting thegreek councils a voting seat on the A.S. board.
Alexandra Lerma, president of Alpha Pi Sigma, said it is unfairfor any of the greek councils to be denied a voting seat.
“(Greeks) make up a big population of the school and we’resupposed to be participating,” Lerma said. “So how can we if we don’teven have a voting seat in (the student government)?”
Josephine Factora, A.S. Rules Committee member, was in theaudience and said she reviewed the applications made by Panhellenicand IFC for a voting seat, and although she felt both councilsdeserved a seat, the A.S. Council voted against it.
“Some council members didn’t feel the two groups met the standardsof other organizations in the council with a voting seat,” she said.
Following the panel questions an hour later, members of theaudience were invited to ask questions and make comments.
Flores said in an interview that the event was very effective intrying to integrate the greek system and cutting down on ignorance,”which is our biggest goal.”
