SGA explores possibility of Greek life at Xavier

Senior Student Government Association senate members Phil Krzeski and Desmond Dodd are heading what they
are calling the "Go Greek?" initiative, a committee surveying student interest in increasing Greek life activity on Xavier's campus. Their aim is to assess whether or not Xavier students feel the university could benefit from
starting chapters of nationwide fraternities and sororities on Xavier's campus. Krzeski and Dodd wish to
determine the interest in Greek life at Xavier by surveying the interests of the student body and running a dialogue open to the Xavier community. "We are a neutral and research- based project. We're trying to raise awareness while
at the same time attempting to understand overall sentiment," Krzeski said in an e-mail. "['Go Greek?'] is students working together and trying to form a comprehensive image of the student body's desire or lack thereof for Greek life." Krzeski said that the committee's plan is to eventually work with Xavier's administration in developing a systematic survey that will assess students' feelings about Greek life in general. Should the committee's research
determine a majority of students are interested in furthering Greek life, Krzeski said he and his colleagues would
make a presentation to the administration to initiate the process. "Go Greek?" hosted an open forum for discussion about the possibility of increased Greek life on Nov. 8 in the atrium of Gallagher Student Center where student volunteers from the crowd presented their cases both for and against an increase in Greek life on Xavier's
campus. A panel of students currently involved in the five fraternities and sororities already on campus
also spoke about their experiences with Greek life. While officially a non-Greek campus, Xavier already hosts
chapters of five historically black Greek-letter organizations. SGA has looked into the possibility of increasing Greek life activity on campus in the past, but the results of their research have either been inconclusive or determined that Greek life was not a feasible or appropriate option for Xavier.  Despite results from previous evaluations, Krzeski, Dodd and their team believe that the time has come to reevaluate student interest in the issue in a way that is central to the Jesuit concept of learning. "Our project falls in line [with] the concept of Ignatian dialogue," Krzeski said. "We
see a potential issue here at Xavier and in order to make the best decision possible, we have called attention to this issue by raising awareness through information and discussion." "Go Greek?" encourages students to engage in debate about Greek life either on their Facebook page or through their Twitter handle (@ XavierGoGreek). "Everyone is welcome to participate in the project in whatever capacity they desire," Krzeski said. "We are completely open
with our entire project and look to incorporate all opinions and comments in our research to make sure that our project concludes with a benefit to the entire university community."