With 68 percent in favor, Student Government approved a resolution to establish a Greek Life Caucus for Senate after more than an hour of debate at Wednesday’s Senate meeting.
The Greek Life Caucus would only apply to Greek organizations recognized under the Interfraternity Council, Pan-Hellenic Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council.
“Twenty percent of LSU’s student body is made up of Greek Life, so I think that it’s definitely appropriate for there to be a Greek Caucus,” said University Center for Freshman Year College Senator Alexande DeBlieux.
A Greek Caucus would save Senate time debating matters concerning Greek Life students, said College of Engineering Senator and Vice Chair of the Committee on Rules Dustin Campbell, who wrote the resolution.
Not everyone agreed with Campbell, especially College of Music and Dramatic Arts Senator Morgan Taylor.
“We have controversial issues hit the floor, and it’s our job to decide what is best for the student body,” Taylor said.
SG President Taylor Cox reminded Campbell that Greek Life was already included in SG since the president from the Interfraternity Council, president of Pan-Hellenic Council and president of National Pan-Hellenic Council held seats on the President’s Cabinet.
“We’re one Student Government, so I work with all of you to ensure that everyone’s voices will be heard,” Cox said.
Campbell said there should be representatives for Greek Life specifically in Senate.
“Although some students in here are Greek, we’re not cohesive – we’re standalone individuals. We can work together, but there’s no official committee with all of us together,” he said.
Previously, SG’s only caucus was the Black Caucus, which was debated contentiously in the spring of 2011.
However, Director of Academic Affairs Thomas Rodgers pointed out that other caucuses have existed.
“We’ve had caucuses before, we dissolved them, we added them back – notice the cycle here. … The Greek community has a 92.8 percent retention rate, and you know how I love retention rates,” he said. “Last year, they did 50,000 hours of service and raised more than $250,000 for charity. If the Greeks want a caucus, we’ve given other people a caucus, we should give them a caucus.”
