University of Oklahoma - Sooner Yearbook (Norman, OK)

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First Row, Ictt to right: Ned Truex. Charles Taylor. Joe Hanson, Homer Biggerstaff, Dick Hull, Walter Gray. Second Row: George Barzellone. Cleve Largent, Grady Harris. James Samara. Don Hartman, Frederick Jay, Wayne Montgomery, Wendell Gates, Gene Pruet, Howard Sowers. George Higgins. Howard Goldman. Lester Lloyd, George Lieberman. Third Row: John W. Dierker, H. C. Galaway, Tom Bomford. Robert Berry, John Read, Jack Tumilty, John Klein, Gene Womble, Jack Pollock, Bob Rizley. Fourth Row: James Rodgers. C. Joe Fager, Gordon Hillhouse, Robert White. John Baumert. John Winter. Lawrence Metz. Tom Downs, George Burton, Lenton Roller, Gene Davis. Supplementing the secretary and treasurer, the Interfraternity Council at O. U. has adopted the committee system which inquires into the various aspects of campus life and makes suggestions and recommendations for the action of the Council with the betterment of college life in view. These com- mittees are appointed by the chairman and represent a cross section of the twenty-two chapters. One of the most important is the General Welfare commit- tee which, in addition to considering Council policy, also acts as a judicial board to make recommenda- tions for the punishment of fraternities who have violated regulations. It is composed of the chairmen of all other committees and the three officers of the Council. In nearly all cases, the disciplining of member fraternities has been left to the discretion of the Council. In its efforts to quiet the confusion of rush week, the Interfraternity Council at Oklahoma University had developed the rushing handbook. This hand- book is published solely for the benefit of students attending rush, and serves to acquaint them with rush procedure and other regulations. Other accomplishments of the Interfraternity Council this past academic year have added to its prestige in campus activities. KUVY. the new stu- dent operated radio station, has been set up with the financial assistance of the Interfraternity Council. A scholarship to be given to some outstanding student, has been placed at the disposal of a selection com- mittee. The freshman who received the award this year was Ross Cummings of Ponca City, Oklahoma. He was selected by placement examinations. Alpha Sigma Phi is the newest addition to the Interfraternity Council. This group was re-activated this year. The requests of several other large na- tional fraternities to establish local chapters have ne- cessitated an expansion committee. The function of this group, which works in conjunction with Paul MacMinn. the director of student affairs, is to review these numerous requests. The Interfraternity Coun- cil has adopted this new policy in an effort to encour- age national fraternities to sponsor needed local chapters on the O. U. campus. Another important function of the Interfraternity Council is its backing of the intramural athletic pro- gram. But academic standings are never forgotten. Each semester, a loving cup is given the house which comes up with the highest grade average for the term. A cup is also awarded the pledge class with the highest scholastic standing. These two cups are perhaps the most coveted awards for which the Greeks compete. Essential to the success of the Interfraternity Council is the close relations it maintains with the Independent Men ' s Association and other similar organizations on the campus. The Interfraternity Council has its headquarters in the Counselor of Men ' s office, and the Secretary of Fraternal Affairs can be contacted here, during spe- cial hours, for information on the fraternities and their members. The influence exerted by this body of men is felt by every man who wears a fraternity pin. Greeks, as well as those not associated or affiliated with a fra- ternity, know and recognize that the Council has done more than any other organization to bring about the success which the fraternity, as a college institution, enjoys. Page 375

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INTER-FRATERNITY COUNCIL The regulating body for the twenty-two social fra- ternities at the University of Oklahoma is the Inter- fraternity Council, composed of two representatives from each of the member organizations. The local chapter is associated with the National Interfrater- nity Council and abides by its constitution. We consider the fraternity responsible for a posi- tive contribution to the primary functions of the col- leges and universities, and therefore under an obli- gation to encourage the most complete personal development of its members — intellectual, physical and social. So states the creed of the Interfraternity Council, and it is to these principles that the local chapter ad- heres. The council also recognizes and seeks to meet the responsibilities which it owes not only to the University but to the hundreds of men it represents. Each fraternity is represented on the Council by its president and one elected member. Since the Interfraternity Council is one of the most important student organizations on the campus and since its decisions are sometimes all important to various groups, attempts have been made at times to put political pressure on its leaders. To remedy the situation, and to assure non-partisan control, a plan was adopted in 1937 whereby the administrative leadership of the group was assumed by a person not on the Council itself. During the past year, that position has been filled by Jack Biggerstaff. He is chairman of the Interfraternity Council and is the 1 io.MER BiGGERSTAFF, President Secretary of Fraternal Affairs. Through him the Council acts in cooperation with the administration of the University in discussion and action on such matters as pledging, rushing, pledge life and initia- tion. Any violations or deviations from the rules governing fraternal orders at the University are con- sidered by the Interfraternity Council in conjunction with University officials or the national chapters of the fraternities in question. Again this year, the University of Oklahoma was host to the regional Interfraternity Council on Febru- ary 27 and 28. 1948. Present were representatives from all campuses east of the Rocky Mountains and west of the Mississippi. This is the sixth conference to be held in this region and the second on the Uni- versity campus. Interfraternity Council in action! Page 374

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ACACIA OFFICERS, FIRST SEMESTER Don a. Hartman Edward F. Heard Howard Hurst Lloyd C. Lane Kenneth Lisle . President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Social Chairman Members of the Oklahoma Chapter of Acacia came down the home stretch to the summer session with a Hell Week, and initiated three men just in time for an Acacia regional conclave at 544 Elm. More than 60 representatives from chapters includ- ing Wyoming. Kansas State, Iowa State, Oklahoma A M and Colorado were present. It was concluded with an alumni banquet at which 250 former Sooners helped kick off another school year. After Sisco ' s victory at the Dallas game, the breth- ren practically took over the Flight 21 club as 80 members, pledges and their dates joined in celebra- tion. At the Founders ' Day banquet at Homecoming season, a huge oil portrait of the late Dr. W. B. Bizzell, former OU president, and Lew Wentz. prominent Oklahoma philanthropist, was presented to the chapter house by alumni. Mrs. Bizzell un- veiled the painting of the two outstanding honorary members. Homecoming weekend saw a little annex in the form of a little red schoolhouse pop up in the front yard, complete with rail fence, stone well and out- door plumbing. The float depicted the Cyclone team being hit by the Oklahoma Atom Bomb. The OU and A6M chapters joined Tulsa alumni in a Christmas party in Tulsa. For the second successive year the pledge class ran over the members in the annual touch football game to retain the golden trophy. A house party was held just before Thanksgiving in memory of that one-day holiday, followed by a trip to Austin, Texas, by 25 members where they spent a three-day period initiating a new chapter at Texas University. u — Page 376