Outside insight -

External review of Greek, UNC relations will be helpful

Board of Trustees Chairman Bob Winston’s decision to tap Jordan Whichard to examine the UNC administration’s interaction with the Greek system is a necessary move to ensure a sustainable partnership between the two parties.

It is clear, following the events of last semester, that the Office of Student Affairs, and specifically the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, has failed to execute its duties as an adviser to Greek organizations.

Whichard, who graduated from UNC in 1979, was president of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity while he was in school.

Whichard’s review of the system will bring a fresh perspective to a situation that has grown increasingly amiss during the past year.

The University’s punitive and abrasive manner in which it interacts with Greeks has formed a rift between the two entities, when they should instead have a mutually beneficial relationship.

Nearly 20 percent of the student body is Greek, and fraternity and sorority alumni have historically given back to the University in disproportionately high amounts.

An external review of the University’s interaction with the Greek system is essential in order to sustain such a positive relationship.

Many strides have been made within the Greek system to improve organizations’ self-governance and change the perception of fraternity life.

Several members of the Greek system have said that they expect to hear that many of their own reforms are working well and should be continued.

Interfraternity Council President Tucker Piner recently echoed his desire for the fraternities to remain independent, self-governing bodies.

The UNC administration must find a way to allow Greek organizations to hold themselves accountable while simultaneously providing positive, partnership-oriented oversight of the system.

Ideally, the new special advisor of Greek affairs will help to facilitate such a process.

A continued partnership between the University and Greek system is in the best interest of both parties.

And an administrative review by Whichard, an individual who has been removed from the recent controversies but is familiar with the Greek system, is imperative to ensure a viable, long-term partnership between the University and UNC fraternities and sororities.