This fall there are some good VIBES radiating from the Student Activities Center.

A recently re-energized student group is making waves within the greek system at Iowa State by giving educational presentations on alcohol-free activities and much more.

Last spring four students founded the organization Variations In Better Education For Students.

Liz Gries, a junior in English; Megan Heitzman, a junior in sociology; Wyatt Hollesen, a sophomore in agricultural studies; and Matt Kroneman, a senior in exercise and sport science set a goal for VIBES to promote awareness of many different issues by offering greek houses a choice of educational programs.

From the original core of founding members, VIBES has grown to 82 members this fall, said Gries, VIBES president.

“Thirty-six houses are represented in VIBES,” Gries said. “We are being taken seriously by the students, even in our first semester. I think we will be even a more pro-active group in the future.”

Heitzman, co-chair of the VIBES education committee, said the group’s focus this fall has been on alcohol awareness and safe party planning. She also said VIBES hopes to help combat some of the stereotypes of greek houses.

VIBES offers programs such as “Fake ID, real trouble,” “Life after the party,” “Cocktails and condoms” and “Alcohol poisoning: how to help a friend.”

“We are also in the process of developing a program on domestic violence and date rape with a focus on problem solving,” Heitzman said.

VIBES members will give presentations to any group on campus, even though its original goal was to meet the special needs within the greek system.

Organizations wanting to request a specific program can schedule it through Dave Haden, Student Activities Specialist and adviser to VIBES, at the Student Activities Center, 294-1174.

“All programs are given by students,” Haden said. “Students on campus are more apt to take a message if it comes from peers than if I was speaking to the houses. The students are vital to our educational efforts.”

Gries said they have plenty of people to give the educational presentations, so they should not have to turn any requests down.

“We’re finding that students are more educated than we expected,” Gries said. “Students are eager to talk about the issues.”

Haden said the group is still in the process of defining their role at ISU.

He said he sees VIBES taking a leadership role, doing positive things in the community and good things within the greek organization.

Haden said VIBES has committees which deal with planning alcohol-free activities, provide basic “Alcohol 101” information and give presentations on legal and liability issues related to greek houses.

Haden said four members of VIBES will be sharing their experiences at the General Assembly of the National Peer Education Network, Nov. 13-16 in St. Louis. Gries, Heitzman and Mike Lund, a junior in agricultural studies and Tim Coughennower, a freshman in liberal arts and sciences, will give a presentation on creating or revitalizing substance abuse education programs in the greek community.

Gries said VIBES representatives talked with ISU President Martin Jischke to make him aware of their organization, although they are not actively involved with Veishea planning.

VIBES has offered its support to the Panhellenic and Inter-fraternity Councils.

The group has been operating without a budget, but IFC recently approved some funding.

VIBES is beginning a new application process and will be sending out more than 80 applications to greek houses this month.

“I see VIBES having a bigger role in the future because these programs are necessary to create awareness, especially with incoming freshmen,” Heitzman said. “We are a major resource in getting the programs out there and creating an awareness of issues.”