U-Talk

Posted Thursday, September 20, 2018 @ 7:26 PM

September 19, 2018

The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at the University of Central Florida held a peer-to-peer educational program about the Greek Councils entitled U-Talk. U-Talk is a peer-to-peer educational program held semesterly that Tim Donovan, Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life, described as “think Ted Talks, but a with slightly lower budget”. The program was facilitated by four representatives from their respective council, Alyssa Ledesma, Bethanie Derice, Sam Brantley and Carlos Jara. The panel, held at the Barbara Ying Center on September 19, was an opportunity for students to receive insight on what each council does, as well as having a chance to ask questions to the representatives. Representatives talked to students about the perceptions people have about Greek Life including the stereotypes presented by the media as well as the misconceptions of the councils. However, as Carlos from the Interfraternity Council (IFC) stated, “What you don’t hear on the news is all the good that we do.” From workshops to fundraisers to volunteering, each council was also able to discuss all the hard work that goes into making each event possible. Samantha from the Panhellenic (PAN) Council also shared about the struggles students may experience when they first come to college, and how the expectations and the bond shared within a sorority can encourage and enhance the college experience.

At the end of the program, a Q&A was held to allow students a chance to ask any questions and engage with the representatives. One student who attended stated they learned so much about the other councils in the room, and had already made plans to co-host an event with a chapter from another council as a result of the program. Take a look at the gallery below for photos of U-Talk.