Opinion | Diversity, together

Rob Farmer, Interfraternity Council President, senior data analytics and economics major

The Interfraternity Council (IFC) has been given the opportunity to set a new precedent for what it means to be included. No matter the letters we wear upon our chest, we are all part of the same fraternal body. Chapman’s IFC is composed of all nine fraternities and responsible for the well-being of the fraternities as a whole on our campus.

In the past, fraternity life has been marred by an unhealthy focus on pitting fraternities against one another, perpetuated by baseless rankings. This issue has been exacerbated by white privilege in universities permeating student-body organizations.

In late 2019, I was elected President of the IFC, with my campaign platform emphasizing unity and safety among all members and increasing the participation of students from all walks of life in fraternities.

There has been pushback from higher-ups in Chapman's administration in creating a socially equitable Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) system, but we will not let their efforts stop our progress. The administration has proved to resist the will of the student body, be it in BIPOC or LGBTQIA+ matters.

The administration may determine what statues line the walkways, what posters are displayed, which speakers are invited to campus, who may report on campus events and what facilities may be installed on campus, but they do not determine the path of our organizations.

You do. I do.

We do, together.

Students must push onward and create the Chapman they want, not the "Chapman experience" currently provided.

The IFC has been in talks for months now about how we can most effectively use our role for the good of the community. We've had great success in our efforts in diversity and inclusion as a unified front with the Panhellenic Council (PHC), the IFC’s counterpart in sorority life. 

I cannot thank my board on the IFC and counterparts on the PHC enough for their continued ambition in establishing the Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Farhan Khan, my vice president of Administration and Standards, has stepped into the role of fraternal director of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and will be leading all 10 fraternities on campus in the creation of programming for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+. The committee will bring speakers to events to inform the student body about the struggles of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ students in fraternity and sorority life. Members should also expect additional guidance to promote inclusive language and conduct in fraternity and sorority life events.

This committee is composed of all 10 fraternities and eight sororities on campus. In the past eight weeks, they have begun the creation of programming for BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ individuals to create a more well-rounded, informed and socially cognizant student body.

The IFC will continue to lead this charge. With action over inaction, tolerance over intolerance and inclusion over exclusion, there will be unity among all members of our fraternities and sororities.