SBP, Greeks rarely interact

The death of Courtland Smith, several alcohol violations and a string of cocaine arrests this school year brought the Greek community to the forefront of the University’s attention.

Now the Greek system — which makes up about 20 percent of the student body — is being subjected to Universitywide criticism and a review of sororities and fraternities on campus.

But next year’s student body president will likely have little influence on reforms planned for next year.

 

Greek life in the platforms

Monique Hardin* “One of the things I want to do is strengthen the Greek affairs
committee.”
Nash Keune “We will provide wood for building horses.”
Joe Levin-Manning* “We need to recognize the Greek system’s self-governance. I want to work with them to establish a plan of action.”
Hogan Medlin “Establish a communications liaison within the Greek affairs committee …
dialogue will enhance collaboration and improve unity.”
Shruti Shah “The Greek liason will be responsible for communcating and collaborating... to
better support Carolina’s Greeks.”
Greg Strompolos* “Everything in moderation. Make sure there’s a fair balance of what these organizations are doing.”
*Candidates who did not mention Greek life in their platforms were asked for elaborate on their plans.

 

Several University officials and members of student government and the Greek community said the student body president has traditionally had only a few avenues to affect fraternities and sororities.

Still, representatives of the Greek community said the winner of this year’s election could expand the reach of the student body president’s influence on Greek community through increasing communication between the two groups.

“We represent about a fifth of the campus, so I think a good student body president would want to make sure those people are spoken for,” said Interfraternity Council President Tucker Piner.

Smith, who was president of Delta Kappa Epsilon, was shot to death by police outside Greensboro on Aug. 23.

Shortly after, the 13-member Board of Trustees began efforts to improve sorority and fraternity life.

One of the few avenues the student body president has to Greek life is his or her role as the sole student voice on the board.

Bob Winston, chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the Greek community could be largely shaped by the board’s efforts.

At the end of last semester, Winston recruited alumnus Jordan Whichard to examine UNC’s and other school’s Greek communities and make suggestions to the board regarding improvements.

Winston said the board’s goal is to begin implementing change by the end of the semester.

But Winston said the student body president will have an impact on the issue only slightly.

“I don’t see a student body president having a major impact on this issue at all, other than weighing in,” Winston said.

Representing student opinion to UNC administrators is the primary role of the student body president. Some Greeks have had tense relations with University administrators over the past year.

“Times are changing, and the organizations are either going to change with them or not survive,” said Winston Crisp, assistant vice chancellor for student affairs, to fraternity members in September.

“You need to understand that the Board of Trustees and the administration are perfectly willing to shut your doors.”

Trustee Alston Gardner said current Student Body President Jasmin Jones has had little impact on the issue while sitting on the board.

Much of Jones’ interaction with the Greek system has occurred through the Greek affairs committee of student government, said Jenny Levering, the assistant dean of students for fraternity and sorority life.

Jones said this committee has been the source of collaborative events and initiatives.

But members of the Greek community said Jones’ efforts to collaborate with the Greek community have been lacking.

“I don’t think Jasmin has done very much as far as reaching out to the Greek community,” said Patrick Fleming, former president of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity and editorial board member of The Daily Tar Heel.

Leaders in the Greek community said a student body president could improve communication through establishing a Greek liaison on student government’s cabinet.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.