In an attempt to improve communication between Evanston officials and members of the Greek community, the Interfraternity Council created a position for a delegate who would attend City Council meetings and serve as a liaison between the council and IFC.
A city liaison — who will represent all 18 fraternity chapters on campus — will be appointed in the next two weeks, said Jay Ward, IFC president.
Ward, a Weinberg junior, said he first envisioned the liaison position when running for the IFC presidency in February as part of an effort to increase communication between the Northwestern Greek community and Evanston residents.
The city liaison will alert members of the IFC to city matters that may affect them and connect aldermen to IFC, Ward said.
IFC’s president and executive vice president used to be responsible for communicating with the City Council. This position eases some of that responsibility, said D.J. Eckert, IFC’s vice president of judicial affairs.
In November, the council passed an ordinance that requires hospitals, hotels and dorms, including fraternities and sororities, to install fire sprinklers within the next five years.
Greek leaders were concerned about individual chapters bearing the cost of installing the sprinklers, but no members of the Greek system spoke against the ordinance at the meeting. Many fraternities have since renegotiated their leases with NU.
“Rather than stemming from a crisis or problem, the creation of this position is an attempt to strengthen ties and improve relationships,” Ward said.
Conflicts between the university and Evanston have arisen in the past because of off-campus parties, some of which are hosted by Greek-affiliated students, said Eckert, a Weinberg junior.
In addition to reporting to IFC about relevant city issues, the city liaison will help city and Greek leaders talk more regularly.
“Communication is the first step towards cooperation, and we recognize how important it is to remember that we are part of the Evanston community,” Ward said.
Student participation in council meetings has been “sporadic,” said Ald. Steven Bernstein (4th).
Although relatively few students live in his ward, Bernstein said he looks forward to hearing their comments.
“The reality is for the time they are here the students have an interest in almost everything we do,” Bernstein said. “It’s very important that we get information from every source we can.”
Eckert said fraternity leaders want the city to know that they are thinking about its concerns, too.
“We take what (Evanston residents) say to heart and want to show them that,” he said.
Greg Hafkin contributed to this story.
Reach Marcy Miranda at [email protected].
