The Inter-Residence Council will hold elections for its officers in about four weeks, and the group’s leaders said they have expanded programs and initiatives during their tenures that they want future leaders to continue.

Anna Patton, vice president of Hall Council Affairs, said that one of IRC’s biggest accomplishments this year was defining the role of the organization. One of her goals has been to give the future office-holders a concrete definition of what the position does, and that is why the IRC has been working to provide more structure for hall councils.

“We are taking programs to the next level to make them enriching and a community-building experience,” Patton said.

One of the IRC’s new programs is WOLFPACK, which stands for Wellness, Organization and study skills, Lifestyles and diversity, Free programs, Partner programs, After-college, Community service and Kicking back. It’s used to set a criteria that IRC uses in its events, which Patton helped to create earlier in the year.

Patton said that in the past, the council members have had situations where people would come to events for free food, but would leave without participating, but IRC has been working on changing that by giving the events more meaning.

“Our goal for the past two years was to change from ‘Let’s go have fun,’ to giving the events an education or diversity component,” she said.

Nicholas Dippel, freshman in First Year College and member of Tucker Hall Council, said he likes the new changes this IRC is trying to bring about.

“[Patton] has been really effective,” Dippel said.

He said he agrees with the new focus to make the events more educational to keep the interest of participants.

“There should be more value to the programs,” Dippel said. “And the whole point was to make the programs relative to school.”

Dippel said Patton has also helped to make a form to complete when planning hall events that helps conform them to the WOLFPACK model.

“It runs smoothly,” he said. “I can’t complain.”

Patton also helped to set up a plan called the Hot System. The Hot System strives to encourage residence halls to be active in IRC and hold IRC-sponsored events.

Patton said she wanted to give IRC more workspace to allow the organization to expand and gain more members.

Brian Mathis, president of the IRC, said while he has been president he has been trying to address students’ needs.

According to Mathis, he has been working to get vending machines in all residence halls, to extend visitation hours to 24 hours a day and to bring DVD kiosks to Bragaw.

Mathis said he gathered 2,000 resident students’ opinions on the visitation policy, and the majority wanted a 24-hour policy.

Peter Umstead, freshman in First Year college, said Mathis’ efforts are appreciated.

“Nobody really follows the visitation rules anyway, and now I think he needs to look to surpass other universities and residence hall amenities and programs,” Umstead said. “I know that UNC residence halls already have a number of DVDS that you can rent for free, so I’m glad we’re catching up.”

According to Patton, she and Mathis will be on the board of the IRC until Dead Week and elections for the incoming

council will begin in four weeks.

“If anyone wants to get involved, every campus resident is a member,” Patton said.