By Katelin Paiz

Daily Titan Staff Writer

At a time when Cal State Fullerton is concerned with campus leadership and economic policy, the agendas of student leaders have been put under a microscope. Among the factors being examined is Associated Students Inc.’s longstanding relationship with fraternities and sororities.

While many students remain happy with the policies of ASI, some have voiced concern over the number of student government leaders who are involved in Greek Life.

ASI’s executive staff is comprised of six members, five of whom have been involved in Greek Life. Three are active members and two have served as presidents of their fraternities.

As student leaders, the executive board is involved in the process of allocating funds to ASI-sponsored clubs.

Some of these organizations include the National Pan-Hellenic Council, which has been approved for $8,465 for the 2009-10 fiscal year; the Multicultural Greek Council, which has been approved for $10,880; the Panhellenic, which has been approved for $23,470; and Inter-Fraternity Council, which has been approved for $16,035, according to ASI’s 2009-10 Budget.

“(ASI) would definitely favor toward the Greeks for sure,” said Michael Rodriguez, 23, an economics major, when told the number of student leaders involved with Greek organizations. “I think it’s probably more indicative of them being able to get a large number of people to vote for them.”

Fellow CSUF student Jessica Merriam, 21, a health science major, also voiced concern.

“I think in general it’s hard for anyone not involved in the Greek Life to get into the student government,” Merriam said. “I know I’ve had friends who tried and it was really difficult.”

In response, executive staffers were happy to offer their take on the situation.

“Honestly, the stuff that we do doesn’t affect one person or one group,” said Kathy Ting-Ting Yu, ASI chief administrative officer and alumna of one of the Panhellenic sororities. “The decisions we make affect the entire school. I know it sounds like we have the power to (affect policy in favor of Greek organizations) but we actually don’t.”

Executive staff members are quick to point out that there are checks and balances involved in the disbursement of funds, which are designed to prevent any misappropriation. In the allocation process, every ASI-funded organization submits a budget according to its needs. The budget goes to various parts of ASI, including the Finance Committee, the Board of Directors, the ASI President and ultimately to President Milton Gordon for approval.

“One of the great things is that there is always a conversation going on at every single point in the process at every single step so that everyone that is requesting funds does have a voice and they do have a say in what’s going on,” said Henoc Preciado, ASI vice president of finance.

In stark contrast to their counterparts, many students are in favor of the idea of Greeks in student government.

“I think it’s cool,” said Megan Tito, 18. “It seems that the members of fraternities and sororities are involved in school and that’s admirable.”

Kristie Castaneda, 18, a civil engineering major, agreed.

“Sororities and fraternities have a long history of leadership,” said Castaneda. “I think the people that join are the type of people that like to be involved. Naturally they would seek out leadership opportunities.”

Some executive staff members are very involved with other activities throughout campus that have little to do with Greeks. Gregory Washington, for example, has served as a New Student Orientation Leader for the Office of New Student Programs and as a member-at-large for Student Organizations Accessing Resources Communications Interclub Council. Conversely, some Greek organizations encourage their members to be involved with other organizations as well.

“If you are a member of the Greek community you are more likely to get involved not only in just ASI, but the other clubs, organizations and areas on campus. My organization in particular encourages our chapter to have at least 80 percent of our members involved in another aspect on campus besides Greek Life,” said Joseph Lopez, ASI executive vice president and president of the Sigma Nu fraternity.

ASI President Juliana Santos, a former member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority, also touted the great experience that she gained from both. “I think that people who are involved with Greek Life want to be part of a community and want to be involved in something and Greek Life and ASI are both things that provide a community and provide a way to get involved and I think they draw a certain kind of personality in that it’s a person who feels like they want to be connected with something. They want to be part of something bigger and I think that both of those organizations offer that.”