Saturday, December 22, 2007
I was informed of Dr. Binder's decision just before 2pm on Friday afternoon. It was certainly very surprising to hear his intentions of leaving the university. I know that most of you gentlemen are new in your presidential terms, and many of you might not know exactly what to think. There is undoubtedly a wide spectrum of different opinions among you on this situation.
With that said, I think the one thing that is common among all of us is a feeling of uncertainty. What are the changes in Residence Life that were drastic enough to make him resign? What if Dr. Binder's successor wants to change around a lot of programs that have been effective in the past? How will his departure affect the Greek system as a whole? All of these are legitimate questions, and are unfortunately questions that there are not yet answers for. The point of this letter is not to predict the future, but it is to say that this is a time to be optimistic.
While this is not the time to critique Dr. Binder's term as Greek Affairs Advisor, we do have a unique opportunity as a council to have a fresh start. We have the perspective of how things have been in the past, and what has worked. I believe that our chapters also have a sense of areas where we would like to see change, and where we think Greek Affairs has gone too far with past policies and requirements.
I think we could have more of an impact in the direction in which Greek Affair's policies go in the future. While the current policies were all in place before any of you became presidents of your chapters, and therefore occurred without your input, I think we are in a stronger position in the future if we stand together as a council to see changes in areas that the council does not see as beneficial. Greek Affairs was created for the chapters not the chapters for Greek Affairs.
I am excited about the future. I am excited about you men, the new chapter presidents. I am excited about the rest of IFC exec and the work which they have already done. I am excited about this year and the things our council can do. And I am excited about where our council will be and the shape we will be in when the new Greek Affairs Director arrives on campus.