The Coed Council elected Jason Pavel '04 as its new president and public-relations officer at elections held March 28 at Phi Tau Coeducational Fraternity.
The Council consists of two delegates from each of the three coed houses, including Justin Gary '02 and Brian Pingree '04, co-presidents of Alpha Theta; Cena Maxfield '03, president of The Tabard; and Jocelyn Miller '03, president of Phi Tau.
The Council's composition reflects a change from last year, when, in addition to a president, the Council also elected a secretary/treasurer, Zeb Lowe '03, and a separate public-relations officer, Nina Basu '02.
No one has been elected to replace Lowe, who, when reached for comment, said that she did not feel comfortable commenting on the elections since she has not been involved in Council activities since last year.
"I really was not active during Fall or Winter term," Lowe said.
The council will add a secretary or treasurer as needed, Pavel said.
Pavel, a member of Alpha Theta, said he hopes to use his influence to bring the three coed houses in closer contact.
So far, though, the Council has not scheduled regular meetings or discussed any future plans, Pavel said.
In the long term, the Council also aims to increase awareness of coed houses "so that people have a better understanding of what their social options are," Pavel said.
As an '04 who rushed just last term, improving the rush process is also a top priority for Pavel.
His first step as president will be to organize a joint rush for Alpha Theta, The Tabard and Phi Tau.
"I hope that cooperation among the houses will lead to stronger rush classes," Pavel said.
Basu explained that although Alpha Theta had a strong winter rush class, fewer '04s than usual rushed the other two coed houses.
For this reason, she said, "spring rush is huge."
Last year, the Council's major activities included scheduling all-Greek and all-coed events, including an all-Greek barbecue during Dimensions weekend, which over 200 prospective students attended, Basu said.
Pavel said he hopes to repeat the success of last year's barbecue as a way of introducing the '06s to the coed houses.
Last year's council also sent delegates to the now-defunct Coed Fraternity Sorority Council, which has been replaced by the Greek Leadership Council.
The Council has planned an informational open house for Wednesday, April 4. Coed spring rush will take place on April 5 April 13.
As part of the new, integrated rush, rushees will be able to travel freely from house to house, Pavel said.
The houses will hand out bids sometime in the week following rush.
Basu praised the Council's choice of Pavel for president.
"I have a lot of confidence in Jason," she said. "He brings a lot of energy, optimism and youth, and a fresh perspective. I'm very glad that he was elected."
