New Greek Life adviser ready to challenge Greek stereotypes

By Elizabeth Leffall
The Collegian

After more than two years without an adviser, Greek organizations at Fresno State are under new management.

The new Adviser of Greek Life, Laura Williams, 26, accepted the position after interviewing last April.

Williams said her greatest challenge literally met her at the front door.

“The biggest difficulty was walking into my office, opening files and seeing no history for the last two years,” Williams said. “Two and a half years without a Greek adviser is too long.”

Williams said she previously worked as Greek adviser at a smaller, private college back East, Randolph Macon College of Virginia. While studying for her master’s degree at Indiana University of Pennsylvania she worked as a graduate assistant where she managed 37 chapters. There she heard about the job at Fresno State.

“I did a lot of Internet research before coming here,” she said. “I was worried about the lack of support, but after watching the university’s handling of the Danny Daniel’s situation last semester I saw them pass their own litmus test.”

With so much information being distributed about Daniels, a member of the FIJI fraternity who died from alcohol poisoning last January, Williams said she was impressed how the university was able to control the information that went out.

“In situations like that, information can easily get distorted,” she said. “That’s how rumors get started.”

Williams said she’s very optimistic about governing the nearly 900 students involved in fraternities and sororities at Fresno State.

“It’s such a great diverse group of students compared to Macon, and the administration is more open and accepting,” she said.

When asked how she would approach the dark stigma that is sometimes associated with Greek life, Williams said, “Even if I have on my Wonder Woman underwear I can’t get rid of all the negative stereotypes.”

“Greek life is judged by that one idiot,” she said. “There’s a misunderstanding of Greek life, in fact sometimes I don’t understand Greek life.”

A Greek herself, Williams said she will push for more accountability by building better relationships with the presidents and the councils and reducing the animosity and competition among the chapters.

“As a part of Alpha Chi Omega I learned leadership ability, I developed,” Williams said. “I just want to make sure that all students involved in Greek life have that same opportunity.”

After talking with students of local chapters, Williams said she was surprised that many didn’t even know where her office was.

Senior Charity Agomuo, a dual major in history and Africana Studies is a member of Beta Phi Epsilon, a newly added multicultural sorority.

Although she knew where Williams’ office was, for more than two years there hasn’t been anyone there.

“She has an open door policy and that’s a good thing,” Agomuo said. “She’s visible.”

After meeting with Williams, Agomuo said she expects change because she’s “really understanding and very welcoming to the diversity of the campus.”

Agomuo attributes Williams openness to coming from a smaller, more conservative college.

Noe Sacoco, 22, is the former president of the Filipino-based Chi Rho Omicron Incorporated. He said Williams will be an asset to local Greek life.

“She struck me as very professional, studious, not your typical sorority girl,” he said.

When asked what his expectations of her were, Sacoco said she is someone who can keep up with the fast pace of fraternity life.

“I expect her to clear the tainted images of Greeks,” he said.

And although Sacoco is excited about the new change, he recently resigned as president of the United Greek Council.

“Greek life has drained me for the last two years,” Sacoco said, “It’s time to take a more backseat involvement in activities on campus.”

Junior Shandi Jennings, a member of Delta Gamma said she was introduced to Williams by hearing about some of the new changes that have been implemented.

“She’s already been in contact with our president and she’s really taking a leadership role,” Jennings said. “I think [Williams] is really trying to be a liaison for us ‘cause I know before her we didn’t know where to go, the police didn’t believe anything we’d say.”

Jennings said Williams’ biggest challenge on campus will be getting positive feedback about Greek activities.

“We do so much for the community and I don’t think people even know.”

Comment on this story in the Features forum >>