UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State President Eric Barron has appointed a diverse 25-member task force to study fraternity and sorority life University-wide, offer suggestions for ways the University can have a positive influence on Greek life and propose opportunities to evaluate the organizations and share that information publicly.

“It is my hope that this group will identify and describe the current state of Penn State’s fraternity and sorority system — its strengths and weaknesses, challenges and opportunities — and define ways to build upon its successes and improve its outcomes,” Barron said in a letter to task force members.

Barron notes that the task force should focus on broad ways the University can have an impact on the system. Possible areas of focus of the Fraternity and Sorority Life Task Force include:

Developing criteria that students and their parents can use to evaluate fraternities and sororities;

Proposing user-friendly ways to publish data about the organizations based on the criteria, and ways data and information could serve as an early-warning system for potential problems;

Examining the balance of the University, local communities, fraternity and sorority governing councils, advisers and housing corporations and national Greek-letter organizations; and

Seeking student opinions on the fraternity and sorority system at Penn State.

In Barron’s letter charging the task force, he notes the contributions of fraternities and sororities, the students involved and the network of organizations.

“The individual organizations that comprise this community develop strong connections for their alumni, bridging members to one another and enhancing their deep and abiding connections to Penn State,” Barron said. “The importance of this network of organizations cannot be overstated. We are proud of its rich history and many of the traditions it sustains. We are grateful for the tireless support of fraternity and sorority advisers, the oversight of national Greek-letter organizations, the contribution of the many housing corporations involved, and the partnership between town and gown that encourages the best outcomes for this highly visible part of our University community.”

Barron also noted the challenges fraternities across the nation are facing and concerns about alcohol, sexual misconduct, hazing, racial and other biases, whether they encourage scholarship, and town-gown tensions.

Vice President for Student Affairs Damon Sims will serve as chair of the task force, which includes administrators, students, faculty, fraternity and sorority representatives, along with members of the State College community and beyond.

The task force members are:

Diane Andrews, assistant vice president for Housing, Food Services and Residence Life

Patricia Antolosky, chapter adviser, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority

Roy Baker, director for Fraternity and Sorority Life

Ankit Bhasin, president, Multicultural Greek Council

Ron Binder, associate dean of students, University of Pittsburgh Bradford

Jeff Bower, chapter adviser, Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Mark Brennan, chair, Student Life Committee, University Faculty Senate

Gina D’Amato Kaufman, director for Student Affairs, Penn State Abington

Brittany Fisher, president, National Pan-Hellenic Council

Tom Fountaine, manager, State College borough

Rick Groves, president, Interfraternity Council

Peg Hambrick, resident, Highlands neighborhood, State College

Tom King, chief, State College Police Department

Rod Kirsch, senior vice president for Development and Alumni Relations

Shawn Lichvar, president, Council of Commonwealth Student Governments

Emily McDonald, president, University Park Undergraduate Association

Earl Merritt, director, Multicultural Equity Programs, College of the Liberal Arts

Rob Pangborn, vice president and dean for Undergraduate Education

Abby Renko, president, Panhellenic Association

David Rodriguez, president, Phi Delta Psi Eta Hispanic Fraternity

Jeff Rundle, director of chapter services and general counsel, Beta Theta Pi Foundation

Danny Shaha, director, Office of Student Conduct

Damon Sims, vice president for Student Affairs

Jim Strauss, chair-elect, University Faculty Senate

Susan Venegoni, president, Highlands Neighborhood Association, State College