John Muckle '99, a member of Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity, ran uncontested and won the Coed Fraternity Sorority Council presidency last night at elections in a year with very few candidates.
All officers were elected without opposition, except for CFSC treasurer Andrea Stenger '99 of Alpha Xi Delta sorority.
Outgoing CFSC President Chris Atwood '98 said he was very disappointed in the low enthusiasm since it is "always good business to have competition." But, he said, he is very happy with all the newly elected members of the council.
The decreased interest in running for council positions is being attributed to many Greek presidents, especially from the Class of 1999, being off-campus, the popularity of running for council last summer and the hefty upcoming alcohol policy issue, which could create more work for CFSC officer.
The CFSC, which holds their elections annually each winter, is a student body consisting of presidents from all the Greek houses on campus.
Muckle does not come to this position inexperienced. Last Summer term he served on the CFSC as a programming liaison co-chair and ran for the position of president because he appreciates "the unified strength the CFSC gives to the Greek life on campus."
"In these times of change, I want to see the many positive aspects the Greek life brought to me personally to be upheld," Muckle said.
The change Muckle refers to deals largely with the upcoming mid-February administrative decision regarding the College Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs report on alcohol, which could alter the current state of social life on campus.
Muckle said he realizes that the most weight of decision-making in this issue lies with the administration. Consequently, he stressed the need to "highlight the many positive sides of the Greek system and keep them all intact."
"One of my missions will be to make sure that the CFSC and individual houses project a positive image to the trustees and all decision makers involved," Muckle stated.
Since the Student Assembly is also taking an active role in the alcohol report issue, Muckle said "it's wonderful that the interests of the entire student body will be able to be explored."
In regards to the Assembly and CFSC working together, Muckle said he feels that "it's great to combine efforts, so as not to fight the battle alone."
Prior to the elections, Atwood stressed the importance of this year in terms of all the social policy that will be implemented. He commented that "the old council fought long and hard about the policy", and he hopes that this challenging initiative will be continued.
Atwood's parting advice was for "all houses to reach a good understanding with each other in order to work together successfully", and focus on tasks ahead.
The new CFSC vice president is David Hawkins '99, a Sigma Alpha Epsilon brother, who will be replacing Henry Rosevear '98 and overseeing the Coed Fraternity Sorority Judicial Council.
Adam Mirick '99 of Sigma Nu will be the new secretary.
No one ran for the position of programming liaison, defined by Atwood as "the least glamorous but most labor intensive council position."
Muckle said the position will be filled at the first council meeting. The presidents of all the houses will each present candidates at that time.
