SGA Welcomes Panhellenic Council

Barnard College is an inclusive college that promotes unity on campus. Recently, the Student Government Association extended the spirit of unification and camaraderie to the Columbia University community by committing to a more comprehensive policy regarding Greek life at the University. SGA recognizes the Columbia University Panhellenic Council, which is composed of four sororities, Alpha Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Kappa Alpha Theta, and Sigma Delta Tau. The recognition of the Panhellenic Council incorporates a diverse group of women—one hundred of whom are currently Barnard College Students—who promote active student life on our campus. SGA hopes that recognition of the Panhellenic Council will continue to promote and extend community involvement and leadership among Barnard women.

Although now officially recognized by SGA, their recognition is of a special sort with specific limitations not imposed upon other groups. The recognition of the Panhellenic Council in many ways mimics the current status of Student Governing Board groups on Barnard’s campus, in that they will not receive advising from SGA or the College Activities Office. While the council will not be receiving funds from SGA, the Student Government Association has nonetheless extended the material resources offered at the College Activities Office and has committed itself to permitting the Panhellenic Council to reserve space on Barnard campus to promote and hold events for the entire community. The ability for their groups to reserve space on campus will allow more students to come to better know the women who participate in sororities and the charitable activities they take on.

The Barnard administration has not changed its stance on the issue of recognizing the Panhellenic community, and therefore continues to view it as separate from the Barnard community. President Shapiro and Dean Denburg have been made aware of SGA’s decision to officially recognize the Panhellenic Council as a student group. However, the college will, as it has done in years’ past, recognize Barnard leadership within Greek life, through the awarding of Leadership Awards to deserving women.

Recognition of the Panhellenic Council makes the fabric of the Barnard community stronger. We applaud the charitable work of these strong women and are excited to have more of their programs on our campus. Recognizing the Panhellenic Council will contribute to the community by bring more activities to Barnard’s campus and by creating more opportunities for women from various walks of life to unite.

Kate McNamara is a Barnard College senior majoring in political science and Vice President of Communication of the Student Government Association. Laura Stoffel is a Barnard College senior majoring in political science and the President of the SGA.