Campus to hold UIFI conference networking

The Bloomington campus has been selected to hold nine sessions of the 15th Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute from May 15 to July 25. \nThis year, 800 students are participating in the UIFI program this year sponsored by the North American Interfraternity Conference to help fraternity and sorority leaders improve their leadership skills and bring positive change to their chapters. \n Stan Sweeney, director of Student Activities for Greek Affairs, had been trying to bring UIFI to IU for five years, prior to last year's event. Sweeney cited the beauty of the University as one of the reasons why the UIFI should hold its function at IU.\n"IU has some very pretty sororities where the members of UIFI can be accommodated," Sweeney said. "And as a college town, Bloomington is an especially attractive place to hold the conference." \nSteve Dealph, director of Leadership Education for the NIC, said he hopes to continue the relationship with the Bloomington campus. Dealph said the beauty of the campus wasn't the only reason for hosting the conference in Bloomington. \n"IU has a long-established greek community, it is right at the heart of the Midwest and it has big houses where participants can sleep, eat and attend sessions," Dealph said.\nSenior Brandon Williams, a participant in the conference last year, said he agreed with Sweeney's assessment of the UIFI experience. Williams, who will graduate with a degree in telecommunications this summer, attended the UIFI on behalf of Alpha Phi Alpha and the National Panhellenic Council. \nWilliams said the UIFI also provides an excellent opportunity to network with members of the greek community across other campuses in the country. \n"Most importantly, UIFI is a great opportunity for building contacts with members from other universities in a short span of time," Williams said.\nJunior Allie Weiss, president of Alpha Gamma Delta and a Secondary Education major, attended the session that took place last week. Weiss said she learned how to become a better leader during the conference. \n"I learned at UIFI that when you lead with integrity, you can never make a bad decision," Weiss said. "As difficult as it is to admit your mistakes, UIFI really helped me to understand that I can only grow and improve (as a leader and as a person) by recognizing my faults and trying to fix them."\nWeiss said one of the most fulfilling aspects of greek life is the family-like support system the community provides. \n"Greek organizations allow students to find a 'home away from home' by offering a support system that is unlike any other organization on campus," Weiss said. "The support system only broadens after college once students join the many alumni of their organization."\nAs for the conference, Weiss said it allowed her to make a number of friends in an extremely short period of time.\n"Where else can you create a new set of friends, resources, brothers, sisters -- a family -- in five days?" Weiss said. "I have a group of 90 new amazing friends from across the country who will always be willing to help me out."\n-- Contact staff writer Sheeba Madan at smadan@indiana.edu.