Jeffers, president of the BIG-C.
Aside from Panhel and the Interfraternity Council, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs oversees the Bicultural Inter-Greek Council (BIG-C), which is the umbrella organization for Penn's historically African-American, Latino/Latina, and Asian Greek letter organizations.
Explain your sweatshirt.
I am a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. which is one of 13 groups under BIG-C. And I'm the president of BIG-C this year.
When did you become involved?
Sophomore year. I joined last year. I joined and then became president.
Are you glad you're president?
I am, I am. It's an experience I'll never forget. I think of everything as a learning experience. Everyday that I'm in class, things will stress me out, but I have to look at the big picture.
So there is a pretty set recruitment for Panhel. How is the recruitment process different for historically African-American sororities?
Well, I guess walking down Spruce and seeing all of the young ladies going to the different houses. With BIG-C each chapter is in charge of their own recruitment process and intake process. Each chapter is very different.
Are you aware of the Panhellenic sororities and are Panhel sororities aware of BIG-C soroities?
Somewhat. There is always room for improvement.
Does your sorority have a stereotype?
Um.I guess so. I guess we're stereotypically known as the "snooty" sorority. Which is unfortunate because I don't think that it's true. I think it's a great, dynamic sorority where a lot of people are doing a lot of different things.
How many people are in Alpha Kappa Alpha worldwide?
Our goal is to have about a million members next year to celebrate our centennial.
And on this campus?
We have 13 people right now.
Does each sorority or fraternity have their own step routine?
Yes. It is part of the historically African-American sorority and fraternity history that originated from African dancing. We perform in the Penn Relays competition every April, and my sorority is stepping at our regional competition.
I guess now people will think of Stomp the Yard.
Yeah, I guess it's a great publicity for historical African-American sororities and fraternities.
What are three words to describe your sorority?
Dynamic. Ground-breaking. And sisterly.
You thought of those fast.
Thanks!
