COUNCIL Coverage

Last Wednesday's University Council meeting consisted mainly of presentations and discussions on two topics: Greek organizations and procedures for submitting complaints on police conduct.

The Update on Greeks in the 21st Century by the three major Greek organizations--Interfraternity Council, Panhellenic Council and Bi-cultural Intergreek Council--drew an unusually large contingency of student observers who came to show their support. Scott Reikofski, director of the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs, provided some background about the long tradition of the Greek system at Penn.

Tia Rideout, C'02, president of the Big-C, said that the three fraternities and four sororities that comprise this umbrella group rely on students from not only Penn but from other schools in the area. She mentioned COLORS, the campus organized lectures on racial sensitivity, which are being held again this semester.

Alison Ng, W'03, president of Panhellenic Council, talked about some of the sororities' achievements including raising money for the Rena Rowan Breast Cancer Center and having sorority members in student government leadership positions.

Conor Daly, C '03, president of the IFC, said his group, which is a confederation of 29 fraternities, is held to certain standards and policies that should apply to all student groups at Penn. He cited three concerns: the need for open and honest communication with the faculty and administration; the need for a consistent enforcement of rules such as the Alcohol Policy, and underground pseudo-Greek organizations which had formerly been recognized fraternities or sororities and engage in high-risk activities.

Provost Robert Barchi said that Penn's Alcohol Policy "clearly applies to all undergraduates" not just Greeks. He also noted that off-campus activities are not directly under Penn's purview therefore Penn can't legislate or control such behavior.

The next agenda item, concerning procedures for submitting complaints on police conduct, included a presentation by UA chair Dana Hork who discussed the UA resolution on the recommendation for the creation of a Community Review Board. The resolution is on the UA's website, at http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~ua/.

Chief of Police Tom Rambo then presented the current complaint process (IN THIS ISSUE) which is available to all citizens, not just students.

Vice President for Public Safety Maureen Rush said that these procedures were put in place prior to the department's accreditation last year. She also said that the Public Safety Advisory Board would discuss adding an additional seat to provide representation for a minority.

Dimitri Dube, the Council representative from UMOJA, expressed thanks to Police Chief Rambo and VP Rush for their efforts to improve communication with the community.

President Judith Rodin said that there is a need to develop respect for one another and focus on mutual responsibility.