Danielle Durante, Cal Poly Panhellenic Council president, said all nine Panhellenic chapters’ national organizations have concerns about the policy and are being consulted during the negotiation process.
Brooke Sperbeck
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Concerns from Panhellenic Council national organizations over a proposed greek life party registration policy may prolong greek probation for another week, Cal Poly Panhellenic Council President and business administration junior Danielle Durante said Tuesday.
Durante said all nine Panhellenic chapters’ national organizations have concerns about the policy and are being consulted during the negotiation process.
“Most of the nationals are confused why we are involved with a contract like this when it really is geared towards IFC (Interfraternity Council),” Durante said. “We follow most of the rules that are already in these policies, so they just want to make sure the school’s policy does not conflict with National Panhellenic Council’s regulations.”
Interfraternity Council President and business administration junior Domenic Hjerpe added that fraternity chapter presidents have also reached out to their national organizations for consultation regarding the policy.
“I know many fraternities have outreached to their national organizations, especially for guidance,” Hjerpe said. “Because this is a whole new process for everyone, not just myself, but as chapters and as a whole greek community, this is a whole new step.”
Though Durante said she must receive approval from all nine national Panhellenic organizations in order for the policy to pass, Hjerpe said IFC’s interactions with their national organizations has been to receive input.
“We’re more on a consulting basis just reviewing it and giving advice,” Hjerpe said.
Because of involvement from national organizations, Durante said she estimates fraternities and sororities will continue to be on probation for another week.
“I’ve already told everyone at our Panhellenic meeting today that we will probably be on probation for another week,” Durante said.
This is the second delay in negotiations this week, after Dean of Students Jean DeCosta was out sick yesterday and unable to meet with Greek leaders.
A meeting between DeCosta, Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life Kathryn O’Hagan, Durante, Hjerpe, and United Sorority and Fraternity Council (USFC) President Edward Yanez is now scheduled for Thursday morning at 9 a.m. The group will review a new draft of the policy that includes revisions made by IFC and Panhellenic chapter presidents Monday, Hjerpe said.
“We need to update her with our current progress and make sure communications stay strong between greek life and administration,” Hjerpe said.
Changes to that policy include requiring birthdays of only those who are 21 and older, as well as clarifications on what defines a fraternity party, he said.
There were no changes made to the policies that ban drinking games and hard alcohol, he said.
“We are more concerned right now with the big picture of what defines a fraternity party, and liability for individuals and for the chapters, and the overall concern for the welfare of all individuals who will be in attendance,” Hjerpe said.
Hjerpe said roughly 80 percent of IFC presidents approved the revised draft at Monday night’s meeting, which would be enough to pass the policy if administrators approve. Panhellenic, however, did not vote on the revisions because of its national chapters’ concerns.
“I have spoken with Panhellenic yesterday and a few times today, and they had their Panhellenic meeting today,” Hjerpe said. “However, they did not conduct a vote because the Panhellenic sororities need to consult their nationals.”
Even if DeCosta and O’Hagan both approve the revised draft at Thursday’s meeting, greeks must also receive approval from Vice President of Student Affairs Keith Humphrey, who will not be in attendance at the meeting.
“We’re confident that we’ll be able to relay all of the presidents’ concerns to the best of our ability,” Durante said.