Sorenson Names Committe to Support Greek System at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ‚ University of Alabama President Andrew Sorensen has appointed a committee of alumni and students aimed at supporting individual chapters of fraternities and sororities as they deal with such issues as facilities’ improvement and membership retention.

The committee, to be known as the President’s Panel for Enhancing University of Alabama Greek-letter Social Organizations, is made up of prominent alumni who were involved in the greek system and current student leaders of UA’s fraternities and sororities. State Rep. Tim Parker will chair the committee. In addition to Parker, alumni members include Janice Clements, Jeff Cull, Betsy Gary, Marcelyn Morrow, John Murdock, Jackie Wuska and Rodney Windham as well as Kathleen Randall, UA associate vice president for student affairs, and Pat Whetstone, UA director of alumni affairs. Student members are Flynt Stebbins, president of the National Panhellenic Conference (sororities); Mark Naggar, president of the Interfraternity Council; and Jamie Allison, president of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (traditionally black sororities and fraternities).

“I am very pleased that these outstanding greek alumni and students have agreed to join us in providing support to the Greek system at The University of Alabama. Their ideas and support will be invaluable to our fraternities and sororities as they make decisions concerning all aspects of Greek life on campus,” Sorensen said.

“This distinguished panel is charged with exploring every avenue available to discover ways in which our Greek-letter social organizations can thrive today and build a foundation for their future success.”

UA’s National Advisory Board recently addressed concerns about the Greek system and endorsed Sorensen’s efforts. Discussion included the fact that membership in fraternities and sororities at UA has dropped almost 30 percent since 1988. The board unanimously passed the following resolution: “The National Advisory Board supports Dr. Sorensen’s efforts to strengthen the quality of life in the Greek system.” The 19 members of the National Advisory Board are UA alumni, including prominent business and civic leaders from across the nation.

Sorensen said he would ask the panel to recommend ways the University can encourage improvement in the Greek organizations, especially in the areas of scholarship, membership, fiscal responsibility and facilities enhancement.

“For more than 150 years, our Greek-letter social organizations have been a vital part of The University of Alabama. We remain committed to their original ideals of enhancing the undergraduate experience through individual scholastic and developmental opportunities,” Sorensen said.

Dr. Sybil Todd, UA vice president for student affairs, said the committee will help identify new strategies to support the development of individual fraternity and sorority chapters.

“A strong Greek system is very important to The University of Alabama. We’re excited that the members of this new panel are willing to take the time to help our young people as they address issues that will affect Greek life in the future,” Todd said.