The University of Iowa Interfraternity Council is encouraging increased community engagement throughout its 15 chapters.
The IFC hosted its first collaborative event with the UI-REACH program on March 26 and just hosted its second event Wednesday, a bingo night collaborating with UI Campus Activities Board, or CAB.
Upward of 100 people, including members of both organizations and students who saw the event advertised on social media, occupied the Iowa Memorial Union International Ballroom on Wednesday night.
Although events are not mandatory for the fraternity members, attendance is encouraged. Incentives for Wednesday’s bingo night included a mini fridge, a Nintendo Switch, a poker set, LEGOs, hockey tickets, and Hawkeye T-shirts, accompanied by merchandise provided by CAB, with all proceeds being donated to the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
The bingo night event is one of many that the IFC hopes to hold. Isaac Johnson, vice president of philanthropy and service, said he wants to stay engaged in the community.
“I think we’ve gone a long time trying to isolate ourselves, distancing ourselves and not being active in a community that, quite frankly, we should be active in,” he said.
Johnson said the IFC is trying to break the barrier between Greek life and other student organizations.
“[The bingo night] is an opportunity to meet members of other fraternities, or, in tonight’s case, members of a non-Greek community, and grow there,” he said.
Theodore Retsinas, vice president of public relations and marketing, wants to use their social media platforms to help enhance other chapters’ voices.
