Trinity Reacts to SGA Denying Funding for the Greek Council

By Carlie McCrory

Trinity’s Greek life community erupted this week after SGA voted 7-4 to not approve Greek Council’s funding proposal. Within two days of the vote, a meeting of the Greek community was organized and Greek life alumni were lobbying SGA senators to reverse the decision.

In an email to the student body, SGA president Nick Santulli wrote, “When the Senate denies the concept of an organization’s proposal, they are, in effect, stating that they are not in favor of the organization’s proposal or the idea of the organization receiving funding in the manner requested”.

He went on to say that the decision does not mean the end of Greek Council nor does it mean Greek Council is not able to receive funding from SGA. “If the decision stands, Greek Council will instead apply for funding on an ad hoc (or as-needed) basis, similar to the process by which Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) seek funding.”

Jeremy Allen '07 and Coordinator of Fraternity and Sorority Life, said the process of having to request funding for up to 15 events a year will be cumbersome for Greek Council. Such funding situation sends a message “that Greek Council has become delegitimized.”

Greek Council as a University Sponsored Organization (USO) is allowed to request an annual operating budget from SGA. This is the first occasion of a USO having the budget fully denied.

Ten representatives of the Greek community form the Greek Council. They serve as a regulating and organizing body for Trinity’s Greek life. Their funding goes towards the Welcome Back Tailgate, Alumni Carnival, recruitment events, seminars, speakers, leadership retreats, and alumni connection events.

Dr. Jacob Tingle ’95 said that many of these events are essential to strengthening the connection between alumni and the university, which is a key part of the Trinity Tomorrow Strategic Plan.

“With events like the carnival, the Greek U leadership retreat, and hosting important guest speakers and programs, Greek Council has been great at both building significant bridges to current alumni and to helping prepare students to lead meaningful lives after graduation,” said Tingle. “As such, it saddens me that even the direct operating costs aren't being considered for funding.”

The move to not approve Greek Council’s proposal shocked many, including student senators. Sam Afshari, a sophomore class senator and member of Chi Delta Tau, said there was some discussion about Greek Council’s budget, but not enough to warrant the decision, and he was surprised. The decision "effectively eliminates the importance of Greek Council,” said Afshari. “In my opinion, there is no group of students better fit to allocate spending on Greek life than Greek Council”.

Lavanya Hospeti, a junior class senator and member of SPURS said that “the senate made this decision because there have been doubts in Greek Council’s classification as a USO in terms of percentage of students who benefit from their services.” She added that she had received many emails in support of SGA’s decision.

Dr. Pippa Evans, a Trinity graduate and SPUR alumnae, said SGA’s decision is wrong and that Greek Council plays a much larger role in the campus community than just students who are involved in Greek Life. “Through Greek Council, alumni have worked with students directly in matters of alcohol responsibility, sexual consent, hazing, and other issues that are societally and personally important and that have effects beyond even the 25% of Trinity that is the Greek community”.

Afshari said he will motion for a re-vote of the funding decision at the SGA meeting on Monday. April 24. By Friday, 130 people have RSVP’d to a Facebook event created by Greek Council inviting people to attend the meeting, which will be at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, in the Waxachachie Room in Coates University Center.