It is apparent, through coverage of this weekend's tragic events and the claims made regarding the unrecognized organization known as PIGS, that there is confusion as to what a recognized Greek organization constitutes at Geneseo.
Inter Greek Council, an established governing body that works with school leaders and administration, oversees all Greek organizations at Geneseo. The council is made of representatives of all Greek organizations and is directly advised by Wendi Kinney, coordinator of Greek Affairs Off-Campus, and Lenny Sancilio, dean of students.
The regulations of IGC provide checks on the Greek community regarding rushing and pledging. These rules are placed on GPA, rush frameworks, hazing and alcohol-free pledging.
New members of IGC organizations, as well as new member educators known as pledge marshals or pledge moms, are required to attend hazing workshops. These workshops, which take place every weekend for 6 weekends throughout the pledge process, include education on alcohol and its abuse, legal liability, leadership, sexual assault, fire safety and hazing.
The workshops are put into place in order to teach attendees what types of actions are acceptable and unacceptable within the pledge process. IGC regulations require a dry pledge process. It isn't a secret that some programs have been caught using alcohol, but there are actions taken by IGC to punish violators. This is done through a judicial committee, made up of students and formed to decide the fate of organizations that violate IGC policies, including alcohol infractions.
The result of these rules is an oversight that limits alcohol use as a pledge tool. These checks are put in place in order to avert tragedies and to help maintain safety in the Greek community.
IGC would like to extend its condolences to Arman Partamian's family and friends. It is our hope that this tragedy will not only encourage Greeks, but all organizations, sports teams and students to rethink their drinking habits.
Inter Greek Council
Executive Board