New executive boards elected for IFC and PHA on Sunday
Both presidents said they want to make recruiting practices more fair.
Published Nov. 14, 2006
The Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Association elected new executive boards on Sunday. Jim Barry, a senior of Beta Theta Pi fraternity, was elected president of IFC. Tara Smutz, a junior of Chi Omega sorority, was elected president of PHA.
Barry and Smutz replace Dan Fletcher and Erica Lindner.
Emphasizing formal recruitment for fraternities without a house and permitting recruiting during Summer Welcome are two of Barry's goals for this term.
Barry said this measure is meant to level the playing field in recruiting.
Smutz said she wanted to open discussion about "no-frills recruitment."
No-frills recruitment is an attempt to reduce chapters' recruitment costs.
"The goal is to lower cost and make it more fair," she said.
Smutz said that the matter has been under consideration for a while, but she said that more communication could possibly lead to it finally passing.
"There's a reason it hasn't passed for so long," she said.
Barry said he wanted to improve programming by improving the online resources for fraternities. This includes use of Blackboard and updates on the Greek Life calendar.
Barry said that he would like to lighten the burden of fraternity attendance at events.
Smutz described over-programming as when there are too many events and when sororities do not have enough notice. She said that many sororities want to consolidate events so that they will have plenty of notice.
Barry said he also wants to improve fraternities' communication with the media through media training and other methods.
In a document listing his goals, he wrote "continue to emphasize the importance of sending press releases to the media about all activities we do."
Barry said he also wants to emphasize preparation for the new Brady Commons, social registration on Blackboard and further development of Hazing Prevention Week.
"I want to provide more resources on history of other chapters and the Greek community at Mizzou," Barry said.
Barry said each fraternity has its history posted on its Web site. He wants to consolidate information into one place so new members can access them more easily.
Smutz said that she wants to initiate communication, not legislate based on opinion.
Out-going IFC president Dan Fletcher said the presidents should work closely with Student Life Director Mark Lucas and Greek Life Director Jana Basler.
"It took me two months to realize they were there and willing to help," Fletcher said.
Acacia President Joel Brown was present at the election. He spoke on the behalf of the two candidates.
"I am excited about this new exec because it's filled with big chapters and small chapters," he said.