University of Illinois Chicago Circle - Circle Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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INTER FRATORITY COUNCIL While awaiting full recognition for its componentorganizations, the Inter-Fralority Council has been instrumental in solidifying the role of fraternities and soro¬ rities on campus. Under the lead¬ ership of Howard Rubin the group has worked to establish a well-balanced program for its member units. During the past year, the IFC has made great strides toward achieving the rec¬ ognition of fraternities and soro¬ rities on campus. Its efforts were climaxed this May when, after nearly six months of investigation and de¬ bate, the Committee on Student Affairs agreed to recognize local fraternities and sororities on campus providing they present suitable constitutions to CSA. In the process, a referendum was held and of the 2,596 students who voted, recognition was sup¬ ported by a 5 to 1 margin. IFC Fraternity and Sorority Representatives Howard Rubin, President of the I.F.C. Officers of IFC

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Two years ago, I entered the University of Illinois, Chicago Under¬ graduate Divis ion as number 107673 and found all the grandeur of Navy Pier was at my beckon. As Imadethe daily trek down that long corridor, I became keenly aware of some of the rare distinctions that went with attend¬ ing Harvard on the Rocks. Few universities can claim the proud heritage of both an amusement park and a naval training station and scarcely any could be sunk by a torpedo. However, the era of blasting foghorns and equally noisy sailors came to an abrupt end last February. There lying under a foot of snow and grime was Chicago Circle. But to the five thou¬ sand freezing students who had followed that long fight for the Circle with keen interest, it surely stood as bright as Emerald City. The Circle is more than the excitement of a new campus. While en¬ gineers are able to explore the mystical world of energy, and artists are able to recreate themselves with mere canvas and paint, and students of the liberal arts are able to ask those pertinent questions about the society in which they live, the Circle is clearly more than that. It is that rare opportunity to be an uncommon man, to think otherwise and get away with it. It makes us take the talents given us and put them on the line with our peers to succeed or fail not as fate would have it, but rather as we would make it. It makes our future the sole product of our creation and thus teaches us the meaning of reality - the hard way. But that’s just fine, because in a way . . . isn’t that what the world is all about? And yet the Circle means even more. It represents the trust of millions of people in us and the thousands of students who will follow. It indicates a strong faith in the future - not blind faith because this is backed by a sound investment. But even that ' s not all. It provides a challenge to us individually and collectively to build something permanent - a great Chicago Circle. Stu¬ dents are not naive to the role they must play in achieving that goal. They do indeed-realize that the university is judged by its participants and its participants by the university. A paradox? Maybe, but terming it appro¬ priate seems more to the point. And so limited by the power of mere words, how does one express the feelings of some eight thousand students to the men and women whose energy and courage has resulted in the community of scholarship of which we are all a part? I think one begins by saying thank you. - Andrew K. Dolan October 13, 1965