In spite of the recent decline in attendance at weekly fireside chats discussing the steering committee proposal, several leaders of Greek organizations told The Dartmouth that they do not believe this is a result of Greek apathy towards the issues discussed in the report.
Several of the students interviewed said they believe the lower attendance may be a result of midterms and other important events over the past two weeks, though others added that some students may feel that discussion on the issue has been exhausted over the last year.
"I think at this point some people are just burning out," said President of the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council Eric Etu '01, adding that the lengthy process has led some to feel that they have "already heard everything there is to be heard."
Etu said that he is currently meeting with as many people and groups as possible and that he is constantly surprised by the number of new suggestions and proposal that arise.
Greek leaders also said that they are encouraging the members of their organizations to attend the fireside chats, though the results of this have varied widely.
"Attendance from our house has been mixed," said President of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity Isaac Berniker '01, however President of Alpha Theta coed fraternity Michelle Anatone '01 said that members of her house have been attending the events regularly.
Anatone added that she felt the chats are effective because students have the opportunity to speak with trustees and administrators.
Berniker agreed saying that "personally my concern is that my opinion would [not] be heard by someone that would be in a position to make a decision ... there were several trustees at the meeting I attended."
Many also said that their organizations are planning to submit proposals to the Task Force in the coming weeks and that the process has been going well so far.
"We're writing a response and it's been coming along fine," President of the Panhellenic Council Alex Kremer '01 said. "There's been a surprising amount of consensus."
Etu said his group will be submitting a comprehensive proposal as well.
He added that the CFSC had been considering many different issues to include in their proposal, but said it would likely focus on guarantees that CFS houses will be able to continue, preferably in a residential form.
Etu also said they have also discussed the report's proposals on moving rush to Winter term, having an undergraduate advisor in Greek houses, and the banning of summer residency in the houses.
"I'm not sure if we'll agree on all of these issues," he said, adding that if some do not agree the council may indicate in its proposal that there was a majority consensus but that some members did not concur with the majority.
Etu said the report will be completed by the February 25 deadline to submit proposals to the Student Response Task Force.
All of the Greek leaders that spoke with The Dartmouth last night said that they were keeping closely in touch with their alumni organizations, and some groups said that they were keeping in touch with their national organizations as well.
Some local houses said they plan to stress in their proposals to the Task Force that their groups have ties only to the Dartmouth community and not to a larger external organizations.
Etu said that he was pleased with the way the process has been going so far and that he is also happy with the structure of the Task Force.
"This is something that our group proposed," he said, referring to the similarities between the current committee and the Task Force last spring headed by Dan Nelson.
Etu said that he is "especially pleased" with the fact that all proposals received by the body will be published, along with an executive summary.
