Events of the past few months have cast a decidedly negative light upon the nation's fraternities and sororities. John Muckle '99, who was elected president of the Coed, Fraternity and Sorority Council earlier this term, wants to change that image.
Muckle, a geography major from Prospect, Conn., hopes to improve the CFS system's public image through community service and better public relations.
"I'm a large fan of group programming and philanthropy events," Muckle said.
He plans to use the CFSC to organize a large community service day sometime during Spring term, when all the CFS houses will work together and contribute to various philanthropy projects.
A community service day would be a highly visible opportunity for College students to "impact the community" in a positive way, he said.
To aid in improving the CFS system's image, the CFSC has begun publishing a newsletter to "advertise positive programming" in various CFS houses. Muckle said publicizing these events will aid houses in fulfilling the minimum standards programming requirement.
Muckle, a brother at Alpha Chi Alpha fraternity, is not taking classes this term. However, he is working a 40-hour-a-week job with Hanover Green Card. The remainder of his time is going to work with the CFSC.
"I've put my other activities on hold for this term," he said. Normally, he works for the Programming Board, Dining Services and the Green Key Society.
"I love to do stuff for them," he said, referring to Green Key.
Muckle enjoys running in his spare time, in addition to activities with the Dartmouth Outing Club "from time to time."
Sara Zrike '99, a friend of Muckle's, said he has a "drive to excel" that is "unparalleled."
He is a very involved person, who knows everyone on campus, she said. "Whatever the year, John will know everyone. It's so hard to eat in food court with him because he knows everybody."
The biggest trial of Muckle's presidency will probably be the controversy over the College Committee on Alcohol and Other Drugs's proposal, which has much of the student body, and especially the members of the various CFS houses, concerned.
"The CFSC is taking a very responsible approach" in this situation, he said. "We've spent hours researching and hours writing a proposal that represents a lot of work on behalf of a lot of people who care about the future of this system."
The CFSC used their research to draft a counter-proposal to the CCAOD's recommendations, which was given to Dean of the College Lee Pelton last week.
"We're waiting for a response from the administration," Muckle said.
