The Interfraternity Council is trying to work with the university by improving its Judicial Board for better self-government.

IFC President Rob Martin said he worked over the semester break with Greek Adviser Mary Ronan and Michelle Emmett, director of University Programming and Activities, to tighten the IFC Judicial Board Constitution and bylaws.

Ronan said the council will vote on approving the changes at the next IFC meeting.

Ronan said, “The fact that they’re (IFC) putting a lot of effort and paying attention is a sign that they are going to take things seriously. They are working toward gaining credibility.”

Martin said one of the proposed changes is a more defined separation of powers in the IFC.

“The j-board’s job is to interpret the law. The IFC legislative body is the policy maker. The executive board enforces the policies,” he said.

“We are going to work with the university. The university always has original jurisdiction. We have concurrent jurisdiction. We want to get this j-board going,” Martin said.

“Sanctions of the fraternities will fit the crime,” Martin said. The board would not necessarily use the “$1 first offense” sanction, used in the past.

Another proposed change limits the period of time an incident can be issued against a fraternity.

IFC party patrol, which began to oversee parties, will also be in effect this semester. “Without party patrol, there won’t be any parties. It’s in the best interest of the houses that they are monitored,” Martin said.

The Judicial Board will have the power to issue “stiff sanctions (not excluding dismissal)” against fraternities that violate the IFC Hazing Resolution.

“To the best of my knowledge, no national (chapter) condones hazing. IFC is one hundred percent against hazing. We want pledge programs to be an educational time,” Martin said.