There is nothing like the power of oikogenia – or family, for those who do not speak Greek. Every year, Kean University holds a Greek Senate Conference to remind all members of campus Greek life on what exactly it means to be a part of their organizations. This year, on September 4, 2015, the annual Greek Senate Conference proved to be a success when over 150 “Greeks” gathered in Downs Hall to honor the teachings of a timeless society.

The event’s opening remarks were spoken by Alex Louis, assistant director of the center for leadership and service (CLS), Ms. Janice Murray-Laury, vice president of student affairs, Scott Snowden, director of the CLS, and Whitney Wanton, the Greek Senate president. With one look around the room, it was clear that Kean’s Greeks were dressed to impress on that humid Friday morning. Members from all organizations brought their A game – especially the sisters of sorority Sigma Gamma Rho who all chose to wear only their colors of blue and gold.

Janice Murray-Laury welcoming the crowd at the Greek Senate Conference
Ojilvis Nunez l The Cougar's Byte

When all was said and done, enter David Stollman, co-founder of CAMPUSPEAK, HazingPrevention.org, and Recruitment Boot Camp. A graduate of the University of Maryland and still-active member of his fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, Stollman has dedicated his post-graduate life to a career in consulting, motivating, and advocating for sororities and fraternities on a national level.

“I am not here to blow sunshine at you. I’m here to challenge you,” said Stollman as one of his opening statements.

Behind him, the hashtag BIOGO was plastered in contrasting colors of red, black, and white. BIOGO stands for, “Buy in or get out”, Stollman’s message for all those who do not adhere to the lifestyle or morale that should be upheld by all Greek organizations. This concept is a call to arms for all Greeks across the country to clean up their acts and stomp out the stereotypes.

David Stollman speaking to the crowd at The Greek Senate Conference
Ojilvis Nunez l The Cougar's Byte

Stollman is more than passionate about Greek life than most – spending 125 days out of the year on the road to share his gospel with college students. His expertise is met with humor yet a stern and strong message of power and pride, creating a magnetic pull for a room full of sleepy 18-21 year olds. He takes the time to remind Greeks everywhere of the clichés that surround their lifestyles – partying, hazing, and worst of all: rape. For every fit of laughter that Stollman delivers, there is a deeper meaning to what is being said. He believes it is more than important to “grow the hell up or take the letters off.” Jacquelynn Rice, a senior special education and psychology double major and sister of Sigma Gamma Rho agrees strongly with Stollman’s message.

“Your letters are more than just something to put on a t-shirt,” says Rice.

After everyone had time to let the lecture sink in, groups broke off into separate info sessions based on the caliber of their organization. There are four different types of Greek organizations: National PanHellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, Multicultural Greek-Letter, and local based. Even though the names are similar, the National PanHellenic Council and Pan-Hellenic Council are two entirely different things. The National PanHellenic Council is an international umbrella organization that houses 26 sororities and the Pan-Hellenic is a collaborative organization of nine historically African American sororities and fraternities. In these break out sessions, members discussed their philanthropic plans for the upcoming year.

By 2:00 p.m., the Greeks reconvened in Downs Hall for closing remarks by Stollman in which he played a video to remind those present on why they do what they do. The presentation recalled statistics of charitable achievements of Greek organizations from a multitude of different colleges and universities around the country. Greeks have tackled everything from suicide prevention to the Special Olympics – totaling over 10 million hours of service on average a year. These final words struck chords with everyone on what it means to be Greek, especially one member of Delta Phi Epsilon, Abigail Ragan.

“[Being Greek] means making relationships that will last a lifetime,” says Ragan.

Members of Greek Senate addressing the crowd at the Greek Senate Conference
Ojilvis Nunez l The Cougar's Byte

Treasurer of the Greek Senate Jordan Cahill regarded this year’s conference as success as well as many others who attended – from the speakers to the gift card raffle for one lucky Greek. This event served to remind all members of fraternities and sororities “right now, you hold your chapter and your communities’ future in your hands.”