Abby McHenry
The 2019-2020 academic year has see The 2019-2020 academic year has seen some changes in the recruitment process, one being formal recruitment period being changed from fall to the spring. Alex Van Ryne loves the Greek community as a whole and decided to embrace these changes as take on the role of Panhellenic President at Florida Southern.
Van Ryne is a member of the Eta Beta chapter of Gamma Phi Beta at FSC. She served as Panhellenic Affair Vice President for her chapter in 2019 and loved being able to work and continuing working with organizations outside of her own as Panhellenic President.
“I love that in my new role I can help work towards the growth and development of every single organization on campus,” Van Ryne said.
This year, Van Ryne said that FSC’s Panhellenic Council and Interfraternity Council are working on merging a little more to focus on Greek Life as a whole rather than two separate organizations. This will include higher participation in each organization’s philanthropy weeks, a fraternity and sorority event together, and overall more involvement between IFC and Panhellenic.
Van Ryne said the Panhellenic Council is looking into several bylaws changes in the coming year, including some alterations to recruitment rules.
“I think sometimes there gets to be a little bit too many that get to be a little too nit-picky,” Van Ryne said. “Sometimes they can get confusing for some people, or there’s so many to have to remember and abide by.”
Van Ryne wants the Greek community to be involved in the decision making process in order to initiate changes that benefit everyone in the coming year. The Panhellenic Council holds general body meetings on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., and any sorority member can attend.
Sorority members can also speak with their chapter’s Panhellenic Delegate about any Panhellenic related questions or concerns. The delegate can then bring this information to the Panhellenic Council.
“I really believe in Greek life can provide incredible leadership experience to its members, help develop a value in philanthropy, and overall give back to the community,” Van Ryne said.