Over the past couple of years, Bradley University’s Greek life members have been noticing some changes around campus. The Greek life organizations they are used to are becoming modified. These changes are thanks to the Interfraternity Council, also known as IFC.
Interfraternity Councils are seen at many college campuses, used to regulate parties to make sure students are safe, and to oversee the fraternity chapters on campus. While many students don’t approve of IFC because of the “fun” they take away, they are creating these changes to ensure the safety of students in the Greek life system.
Bradleys IFC not only regulates parties and oversees the fraternities, but they also annually partners with the Panhellenic Council and the National Panhellenic Council to generate programs like Greek Week, National Hazing Prevention Week, Greek 101, and all-Greek philanthropy and service events.
Isaiah Harlan and Russell McCormic are two students who are a part of the Interfraternity Council.
Harlan, the IFC director of Philanthropy, explained that joining IFC is a way for him to help contribute to the continuation and prosperity of Greek life on Bradley’s campus. “Since coming to Bradley I have always been very passionate about being involved on campus. I have always believed it is each person’s responsibility to leave a place better than what they found it and being involved at Bradley is the best way to leave a legacy for those who come after you.”
For McCormic, being involved with IFC gave him the opportunity to gain leadership roles. “The Interfraternity Council posed a unique opportunity for me to enter into a Greek leadership role that had a larger and more immediate impact outside of my own fraternity,” said McCormic, IFC director of judicial affairs. McCormic went on to explain how he had heard of some mistakes previous IFC members have made and he wanted to make his own corrective mark in Greek life at Bradley.
While annually, Greek life numbers have been declining three percent nationally, IFC board members believe Greek life can sustain itself at Bradley University.
Harlan discussed the measures fraternity and sorority life is taking to ensure Greek Life grows and is sustained for years to come. “Some of these positive strides include very strict zero-tolerance anti-hazing policies, proper education of chapter risk managers and leadership teams, taking hardline stances against sexual assault, and instituting preventative policies against drug and alcohol use to ensure the safety of all members and guests.”
While the Interfraternity Council may be seen as the bad guys, they ultimately want to raise awareness of how exciting Greek life can be, while encouraging safety on campus.
McCormic ended by establishing the connections he has made through IFC and how it is vital resource for any interfraternal communication.