Diversifying the Greek system

Information from Siobhan, Edited by Christina.

Diversifying the Greek Series: Race and Ethnicity took place 8 p.m. on Feb. 26 in the Terrace Room. It was hosted by Interfraternity Council and facilitated by Common Ground.

The event highlighted issues and conversation surrounding race and ethnicity in the Greek System.

This event, only open to Greek members, was comprised of student-led discussion and safe space conversation. Students were not allowed to wear their letters.

“The purpose of the event is to talk about how race and ethnicity become a factor in the Greek community and how that relates to someone of a different color or background in terms of comfortability and brotherhood/sisterhood,” said Alex Sandoval ’15, GAME Chair of IFC and one of the hosts of the event.

Members of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and Mu Sigma Upsilon Sorority expressed their experiences regarding not having housing in Hunt Hall and having much smaller numbers in their organizations.

Students discussed ways to make Greek life a more open and engaged community to all, as well as how to diversify Greek life, combat the idea of social hierarchies, refrain from excluding students through the hosting of offensive themed parties (South of the Border, Ghetto Fabolous, Bat Mitzvah) and finally how to reach out to all students on campus for recruitment.

Over 70 members of different Greek organizations attended this event. Next month the program will develop discussions surrounding gender.