Greeks re-evaluate risky situations

In 1999 a bonfire collapsed, killing 12 people and injuring countless others at Texas A&M University. The bonfire had been an ongoing tradition for decades, and the administration had never paid any attention to the dangers of it.

Seemingly irrelevant, the story revealed risk management specialist Kim Novak’s purpose for visiting IU: The greek community needs to learn how to care for each of its members.

“I’m not telling you not to party. I’m telling you to party and to party with care for the people around you,” Novak said.

Administrative changes and mounting violations have forced the greek community to take responsibility for and re-evaluate its behaviors and procedures, said Interfraternity Council Vice President of Risk Management junior Justin Shukas.

Shukas has a budget for guest speakers, and the Student Activities Office suggested he invite Novak to speak to IU’s campus. Novak has been touring the country giving similar lectures and advice for nearly a decade.

“She’s known by a lot of greek communities,” Shukas said. “So I think it was the perfect fit for what we need right now. She has been on our campus for the past 10 years, so she really has an understanding of what’s going on.”

Novak was at IU for three days last week giving structured lectures to chapter officers and meeting with greek organizations, including IFC and the Panhellenic Association, to restructure how they hold chapters accountable, patrol parties and keep their members safe.

“I really wish more people could have heard her message of care and community,” Shukas said. “She really talked about the changing atmosphere and stressed that our community is so large that change takes more than one person. We have to start being more accountable to ourselves.”

Shukas estimated that between 100 and 125 members from the four greek organizations  were present at each lecture.

Alpha Epsilon Phi’s New Member Educator, sophomore Emily Feinstein, attended Novak’s first presentation and said it forced her to appreciate how big the greek community is and how important its members are.

“That whole thing about A&M,” Feinstein said, “No one seemed to know it was wrong at the time. It opened my eyes to kind of be looking around all the time.”

Phi Kappa Psi President senior Chris Held attended more of the intense, specific lectures. He is familiar with Novak and has previously attended her conferences. He said this year’s topic was more personalized and pertinent. He said he has already sensed changes.

“In the immediate sense we’re going to tighten our risk management procedures and make them more effective,” Held said. “Furthermore, I’m hoping that this serves as a stepping stone in IFC and PHA improving relations with the University.”

In an era when college enrollment, scholarship money and diverse educational opportunities are available to the masses, Novak pointed out that the greek community remains steady and is not gaining in popularity. It all comes down to safety. In a greek community of this size, its officers and Novak agree that extra precautions become necessary.

Shukas said IU needs to set an example for other greek communities.

“I think a lot of people are watching our greek system right now,” Shukas said. “And I think we have to be the start of change. It’s not easy, but it’s something that has to be done. We’re going to be proactive and be more accountable than we have been in the past.”