As president-elect of the University’s Panhellenic Council, Laura Hinman@@http://directory.uoregon.edu/telecom/directory.jsp?p=findpeople%2Ffind_results&m=student&d=person&b=name&s=Laura+Hinman@@ wants everyone to know that during her term, one thing will be certain: Transparency is a priority.
Although Hinman doesn’t want those in the community to think that transparency is the only thing she can promise, she thinks it’s an issue that has caused problems in the past.
“There’s been a lack of discussion and a lack of transparency,” she said, while adding she doesn’t want to be seen simply as someone in charge, but rather as someone who can be available and provide resources for those in the community.
Hinman, a University junior who recently finished up her term as president of Kappa Kappa Gamma, also feels that her experience as chapter president will help her to understand the unique challenges that different chapters face.
“Each sorority is very different to what constitutes their mission and their goals,” she said, acknowledging another challenge is making sure new sororities on campus feel just as welcomed as everyone else.
She also serves as an ASUO senator, and she understands the importance of both groups maintaining a positive alliance.
“It’s a very important relationship,” Hinman said. “We want to branch out.”
One way to do this is by bridging the gap between PHC and the rest of the community and getting involved in different ASUO programs.
Hinman is happy with where things stand but sees the potential for an even brighter future.
“Fraternity and Sorority Life is at a place right now where we’ve grown so much in numbers, and we’re about to grow on campus, just by being seen,” she said.
She also realizes that being the president of PHC will bring about a set of unique challenges and that problems will undoubtedly arise, but she insists that she’s prepared.
“I’m all about compromise,” she said. “I’m big on listening to each other and recognizing that there’s a bigger picture.”
She also added that taking a step back and reflecting upon overall goals can often help people find a common ground. Balancing each chapter’s needs against the needs of the entire community will be one area that Hinman may need to use this skill, and like other parts of the job, it’s an area in which she feels confident.
One of the perceptions of sorority life, in her eyes, is that it is an independent community lacking involvement on campus, but she intends to break away from this stigma and create a new perception by encouraging FSL to be involved in all organizations.
“We’re more than just the connotations of being a Greek,” she said.
Community involvement, supporting other campus organizations and improving the perception of Greek life headline Hinman’s goals, but for her the key to accomplishing these things remains the same: transparency.
Hinman will work with newly elected IFC president Jeff Rodgers.
Transparency key to success says new PHC president Laura Hinman
Daily Emerald
November 27, 2011
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