Editor’s note: Look in the Daily next week for a semester update about the Panhellenic Council.

The Interfraternity Council, which governs fraternities in the greek community, has a new leader at its helm.

Zach Mitchell, senior in art and design, is the council’s newly elected president for the year. A member of Sigma Pi fraternity, Mitchell has been active in Interfraternity Council for three years, most recently as a co-chief of investigative affairs. He also has served as council representative for his fraternity.

The council has many goals for the greek community this semester, Mitchell said.

“Our goal as a council is to take more of a proactive step in the education of alcohol issues,” he said.

A representative from each fraternity attends council meetings and votes on issues that affect the fraternities.

Mitchell said he wants the council to serve as a resource for the greek communities rather than a policing body. Education and preventative measures concerning alcohol also are high priorities, he said.

The council is focusing on implementing current policies for alcohol-related programs instead of creating new ones, Mitchell said. The council wants to prevent problems before they happen, he said.

“We’re available at any time if anyone needs us,” Mitchell said.

Ben Stealy, newly-elected treasurer of the Interfraternity Council, is optimistic about the semester.

“We have a lot of great guys with a lot of great ideas, and we’re going to do our best for the greek system,” said Stealy, junior in finance.

Other goals include establishing better relations with the Inter-Residence Hall Association and the National Panhellenic Council, Mitchell said.

The Interfraternity Council will send some members to Chicago in February to represent Iowa State in the Mid-American Greek Council Association.