MGC, NPHC opt out of events
Published April 18, 2008
Time commitments and financial constraints kept the National Pan-Hellenic Council and the Multicultural Greek Council away from Greek Week this year.
Last year, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity, an NPHC chapter, competed in Greek Week, but this year, only Interfraternity Council fraternities and Panhellenic Association sororities are taking part.
Both NPHC and MGC were invited to participate.
Last fall, members were also invited to apply for the steering committee, Greek Week Tri-Director Erin Beagan said.
NPHC President Andrea Lee said time conflicts prevented NPHC fraternities and sororities from getting involved in Greek Week this year.
Greek Week also coincides with Black Love Week, which is sponsored by the Legion of Black Collegians and includes forums, parties and other events throughout the week.
NPHC does hope to compete in Greek Week in the future when availability isn’t such an issue, Lee said.
“I think it’s important, especially on a campus like ours, that we are all together as one,” she said. “A lot of the school population thinks we’re all basically different, but we’re all founded on the same principles. We’re all Greek, and there should be nothing to divide us.”
Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity President Kernef Jackson also said time conflicts kept his fraternity from competing again this year.
Last year, Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity competed in Greek Week with Pi Beta Phi sorority and the Acacia and Sigma Chi fraternities. Together, the groups placed in the Fling and Games competitions.
Jackson said Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity plans to participate in Greek Week again.
“We wanted to do it this year, but we have a lot going on, so we didn’t want to stretch ourselves too thin,” he said. “We want to definitely be in it next year, definitely.”
Working together with the entire Greek community unites MU students with a common purpose, Jackson said.
“It’s good because we’re all Greek, and we do some of the same things, such as study halls and community service,” he said. “Why not work together on events?”
MGC spokeswoman Mari Moseley said MGC’s limited budget makes it hard for their sororities to compete in Greek Week. Because MGC oversees only three chapters, the council has a smaller budget than PHA and IFC.
“We’re so small, and money’s still an issue for us,” Moseley said. “We want to participate, but we have to get the numbers up and membership up as well.”
As MGC membership increases, MGC will be able to participate in more events with the other councils, Moseley said.
“The more members we get, the more money we get, and the more we’ll be able to participate,” she said. “As for now, we have to build up to it, work our way up.”
Because NPHC and MGC have not always been involved in Greek Week, it might not be a priority, Beagan said.
“Their involvement in the past has been minimal, but hopefully in the next four years, it will be different,” Beagan said. “I would love, love, love to see their participation. I think that would be fantastic.”
NPHC and MGC involvement will make Greek Week even better, she said.
“There are four councils that make up the Greek system, and the four of us together could work to raise more money for our beneficiaries,” she said. “With their involvement, we could definitely raise more money. We’re definitely on our way to that.”