The Coed Fraternity Sorority Council's future as an overarching governing body for all Greek organizations is in jeopardy as some sorority presidents are seriously considering seceding from the organization.
"I definitely see it as a distinct possibility that there are organizations that will separate [themselves] from the CFSC," Eric Etu '01, president of the Council, said.
Etu told The Dartmouth that at least one sorority president has said that a stronger Panhellic Council -- comprised of only sororities -- will better serve the needs of her organization.
Another house is also strongly evaluating its association "with a [CFSC] with the flaws that it has," Etu said.
Although he declined to comment on the names of the sororities, unconfirmed reports told The Dartmouth that Delta Delta Delta sorority is expected to secede from the Council and the decision could be made public soon -- as early as the end of this week.
It is rumored that Tri-Delt is displeased with the level of support, including financial support, it currently receives from the CFSC. President of Tri-Delt, Cristina DeVito '01, could not be reached for comment last night.
This likelihood, which comes at a time when the Trustees' Initiative -- that calls for substantial changes to the Greek system -- is entering its implementation phase could have important ramifications for Tri-Delt and the sorority system as a whole.
According to Etu, however, the sororities' likely decision to separate from the CFSC is not a recent development, instead it is one that some organizations have been contemplating for several years.
"These conversations have been years and years in the making," Etu said. "This is not something that the SLI gave birth to."
He did say, however, that the Student Life Initiative enabled Greek organizations and the CFSC to think about and question their role.
According to Etu the CFSC is currently undergoing a self-evaluative phase about "who we are and what are we doing."
If some or all of the sororities do decide to secede, it is likely that the organization will cease to act as an overarching Greek policy-making group.
"There is a lot of motivation to move away from a governance organization and become more of an information exchange," he said.
Etu said even as an information exchange, the CFSC definitely wants to continue to maintain a healthy dialogue among all Greek presidents.
It still remains to be seen whether the sororities would even like to be members of a much less powerful CFSC.
At its regularly scheduled meeting last night, the Council members discussed the future of the CFSC and ways to improve the organization.
Etu said issues were raised at the meeting regarding the Council's image as "a male dominated organization." Financial contributions that the sororities make to the CFSC -- currently set at five dollars per member per term -- were also brought up at last night's meeting.
"There are definitely some presidents who have said, 'Maybe I can put that money to better use,'" Etu said.
Differences between the fraternities and sororities were also discussed at the meeting -- particularly the conducting of rush.
Etu said that on the request of one CFSC member, the Council will be meeting again tomorrow.
