Greek Activities Committee interview
For members of the Greek community here on campus, there’s a wide array of events and activities to participate in. Each of the individual fraternities and sororities frequently run their own fundraisers and activities, but the responsibility of planning events involving every Greek organization on campus, such as Greek Week, falls to the Greek Activities Committee (GAC), chaired by Co-Presidents Clifton Gerring and Megan Kistner.
Both C0-President Gerring and Kistner reflected an optimistic attitude when asked what goal they would like to see GAC accomplish over the next year. “One goal that I would like GAC to accomplish this year would be to make sure that all of the Greek organizations know who we are and what we do and have more participation in our events that we hold throughout the year. The Greek community looks forward to Greek Week each year, which is held in April, but I would like to see more of the Greek community participate in other events as well.” Said Co-President Kistner. Co-President Gerring echoed similar sentiments on what he hopes to see GAC accomplish, “This year GAC is working hard to bring all of Fraternity and Sorority Life closer together. As a result, at the end of this year, I would like to see organizations hosting events with each other and having nothing but a good time.”.
With so many different organizations to take into account, GAC faces a logistical challenge of juggling the ideas and input of every organization, but the Co-Presidents are confident that GAC is up to the task of managing the wishes of each organization. “The biggest challenge would be the attendance of all organizations.” said Gerring, “With so many on campus, it’s hard to align everyone’s schedules, and get them to come to the GAC meetings. Every organization on campus has a seat in GAC so if they wanted to bring something up, they have the chance to.”. Kistner explained that attendance was crucial for both GAC and the Fraternities and Sororities, “If a chapter doesn’t show up to our meetings, then we can’t pass the information along as easily to that chapter. GAC strives to make sure every organization’s voice is heard through our delegates. Each week, we try to have something new for the delegates to bring back to their chapters to get their opinion as a whole, and that is one way for the chapters to show their voice.”.
Members of the Greek Community on campus can look forward to some great things to come in the next year, say the Co-Presidents. “Over the next year, the Greek community will have Greek Week to look forward to in April”, said Kistner, with Gerring adding “We are also looking to create T-shirts for Greek Life in general. Additionally, we are starting to look at the possibility of fundraising for those who want to go to Northeast Greek Leadership Association (NGLA).”
For students in Greek Life who wish to get more involved in the planning of activities, the Co-Presidents encourage any interested students to bring their ideas to GAC. “Advice I would give to a student in a Greek organization that wants to be more involved in activities and in GAC is to show up to events! Those students can always reach out to Clifton and I, can volunteer at our events, for example scanning Event Passes at Greek Week events, or talking to their delegate or showing up to GAC meetings if they have a new idea!”, says Kistner. Gerring adds “Talk to your fellow brothers/sisters and go to events held by your organization, GAC, or any other organization. We are all here together so make the best of it.”
GAC meets each Wednesday at 5PM in room 202 of the RCC.
