Name: Mitch Reynolds
Location: Cliffwood / Quad 2
Age: 19
Major: Pre Business
Favorite Band: The Early November
Favorite Movie: Austin Powers
Favorite TV Show: The Office
Favorite Food: Pizza
Favorite Cheese: Mozzerella
Dream Girl: Sofia Bush
Attractive in a Female: Persoanlity, Pretty Face, Jakubowski Must Approve
Favorite Quote: You're my boy
Favorite Word: Lolligagger
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
A Sig Speaks Out Against Fraternity Stereotypes
Editor's Note: This article speaks about what is on the minds of thousands of hard working fraternity members around the country. What makes it most interesting to me is that this young man is a member of the Sigma Chi organization. The article cleverly ties in fraternity life with the lives of every day students who do not belong to Greek organizations. "We have secrets, Don't you have secrets with your friends?"
That's so frat
My View
By: Eric Mills, Columnist
Posted: 4/1/08
There he is, walking through the Quad with his gelled hair, designer jeans and, let's not forget, five inch letters sewn on to his shirt.
That's so frat.
There he is, out late at a party, hitting on girls and binge drinking like it's his job.
That's so frat.
There he is, with his "brothers" cleaning up a park, raising money for charity and getting good grades in school.
THAT's so frat.
With the negative stigma that is associated with fraternities and sororities across many college campuses it is amazing that Greek Life is still allowed on any campus at all.
However, those stigmas and misrepresentations of what Greek Life is cover up some of the truly positive things that fraternities and sororities do.
Forgive me for being a little biased, as I am a proud member of Sigma Chi, but not every fraternity fits the stereotype.
In fact, since joining my fraternity, when I think of fraternity, I no longer think of drinking or spikey hair.
I think of all the hard work that Greek Life members put in. Fraternities and sororities spend large amounts of their time working with each other to raise money, awareness and understanding about a variety of different causes.
An obvious example of the time and effort that goes into living life Greek happened this past weekend when thousands of dollars were raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the Chi Omega sponsored "March Madness."
"March Madness," for those unaware, is a dance competition between various fraternities and sororities.
Despite the fact that each house spends less than 3 minutes on stage, the amount of preparation and time spent on each dance would be daunting to any student.
Activities just like this happen almost every week.
Some are bigger than others, some have higher attendance rates and some have goals that are not primarily based around making money.
However, it doesn't change the amount of time and effort necessary to organize and execute undertakings like these.
I find it also necessary to note that all but a very few of these philanthropies are 100 percent alcohol free.
Movies like Animal House and Going Greek depict fraternity members as being intoxicated all of the time with a party every night of the week.
I know it's hard to believe, but that is just unrealistic and untrue.
For those non-greek members who may not understand, think about your classes. Do you have time to be intoxicated every day of the week? Didn't think so. Neither do people in fraternities.
This is by no means meant to say that Greek Life is right for everyone. It isn't.
That being said, some of the unrealistic and overtly wrong stereotypes applied to fraternities in colleges need to be clarified.
Think of it as a look inside a fraternity.
Yes, we have secrets. Don't you have secrets with your friends?
Sure some members drink, don't you have friends that drink?
Moreover, sure some people make mistakes, not everything that has happened in the nationwide Greek Community is accepted by everyone. When we hear of date rapes or kids dying because they drank too much water, we are just as disgusted as non-greeks.
The only difference is that those things affect the way we are seen to the outside world, whereas when those things happen they do not reflect on people who are not affiliated with a fraternity.
I guess that's the negative of being a member and representative of so many people. When one makes a mistake you are seen in exactly the same light as them.
However, I hope this gives a closer look into Greeks as a whole. We're not all techno pumping, steroid shooting alcoholics. In fact, we are just like everyone else.
Sometimes you have to look past the letters, to the people, to realize that not all stereotypes are true and that groups with the worst reputations can be responsible for some of the best things.
Posted By: Evan Hackler
That's so frat
My View
By: Eric Mills, Columnist
Posted: 4/1/08
There he is, walking through the Quad with his gelled hair, designer jeans and, let's not forget, five inch letters sewn on to his shirt.
That's so frat.
There he is, out late at a party, hitting on girls and binge drinking like it's his job.
That's so frat.
There he is, with his "brothers" cleaning up a park, raising money for charity and getting good grades in school.
THAT's so frat.
With the negative stigma that is associated with fraternities and sororities across many college campuses it is amazing that Greek Life is still allowed on any campus at all.
However, those stigmas and misrepresentations of what Greek Life is cover up some of the truly positive things that fraternities and sororities do.
Forgive me for being a little biased, as I am a proud member of Sigma Chi, but not every fraternity fits the stereotype.
In fact, since joining my fraternity, when I think of fraternity, I no longer think of drinking or spikey hair.
I think of all the hard work that Greek Life members put in. Fraternities and sororities spend large amounts of their time working with each other to raise money, awareness and understanding about a variety of different causes.
An obvious example of the time and effort that goes into living life Greek happened this past weekend when thousands of dollars were raised for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the Chi Omega sponsored "March Madness."
"March Madness," for those unaware, is a dance competition between various fraternities and sororities.
Despite the fact that each house spends less than 3 minutes on stage, the amount of preparation and time spent on each dance would be daunting to any student.
Activities just like this happen almost every week.
Some are bigger than others, some have higher attendance rates and some have goals that are not primarily based around making money.
However, it doesn't change the amount of time and effort necessary to organize and execute undertakings like these.
I find it also necessary to note that all but a very few of these philanthropies are 100 percent alcohol free.
Movies like Animal House and Going Greek depict fraternity members as being intoxicated all of the time with a party every night of the week.
I know it's hard to believe, but that is just unrealistic and untrue.
For those non-greek members who may not understand, think about your classes. Do you have time to be intoxicated every day of the week? Didn't think so. Neither do people in fraternities.
This is by no means meant to say that Greek Life is right for everyone. It isn't.
That being said, some of the unrealistic and overtly wrong stereotypes applied to fraternities in colleges need to be clarified.
Think of it as a look inside a fraternity.
Yes, we have secrets. Don't you have secrets with your friends?
Sure some members drink, don't you have friends that drink?
Moreover, sure some people make mistakes, not everything that has happened in the nationwide Greek Community is accepted by everyone. When we hear of date rapes or kids dying because they drank too much water, we are just as disgusted as non-greeks.
The only difference is that those things affect the way we are seen to the outside world, whereas when those things happen they do not reflect on people who are not affiliated with a fraternity.
I guess that's the negative of being a member and representative of so many people. When one makes a mistake you are seen in exactly the same light as them.
However, I hope this gives a closer look into Greeks as a whole. We're not all techno pumping, steroid shooting alcoholics. In fact, we are just like everyone else.
Sometimes you have to look past the letters, to the people, to realize that not all stereotypes are true and that groups with the worst reputations can be responsible for some of the best things.
Posted By: Evan Hackler
Monday, March 31, 2008
Alumni Day
For alumni day we drove out to Brooklyn to visit and pay our respects at William Lewis Lockwoods grave. On the ride over I got a chance to talk to some of the alumni as ask them question about how Sigma Chi affected their lives. I was impressed by the cemetery and how elaborate most of the graves were. Finding his grave was a little tough especially because my pledge brother Mitch can't read a map if his life depended on it. All in all it was a great experience.
Posted By: Esteban Escobar
Posted By: Esteban Escobar
Friday, March 28, 2008
Road Trip Reflection
Reflection
While I road trip, i was amazed that the brothers from outside the chapter. They barely even knew who we where, yet they had no problem letting us into their house and allowing us to sleep there. We hung out with them and acted if they had known us since for us for years. We have heard that this is a brotherhood, but you do not really know what that means until you have actually gone to out of chapter houses. Before, when we only saw they brothers hanging out with their in chapter brothers, it just seem to me that they were only really good friends. Then while on road trip, it was the first time that I actually realized that this truly is a brotherhood. Also, you could tell that Greek life was very important at UPenn. Their house was huge and right in the middle of downtown Philly. They ate together which showed that they enjoyed being around each other all the time. I am disappointed that I did not get to go to Penn state because I am sure that would have been as equally as impressive as UPenn.
Posted By: Michael Schroeder
While I road trip, i was amazed that the brothers from outside the chapter. They barely even knew who we where, yet they had no problem letting us into their house and allowing us to sleep there. We hung out with them and acted if they had known us since for us for years. We have heard that this is a brotherhood, but you do not really know what that means until you have actually gone to out of chapter houses. Before, when we only saw they brothers hanging out with their in chapter brothers, it just seem to me that they were only really good friends. Then while on road trip, it was the first time that I actually realized that this truly is a brotherhood. Also, you could tell that Greek life was very important at UPenn. Their house was huge and right in the middle of downtown Philly. They ate together which showed that they enjoyed being around each other all the time. I am disappointed that I did not get to go to Penn state because I am sure that would have been as equally as impressive as UPenn.
Posted By: Michael Schroeder
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Road Trip Reflection
Reflection
During Spring Break, some Brothers and some new members went around P.A. to check out some different chapter houses. This was a very fun experience. Our first stop was UPenn. UPenn was pretty amazing. Their house was historic and the Brothers were really cool. It was my first time seeing UPenn, so it was a different experience for me. The best part was being able to see how the chapter was different from us, but still the same. It was possible to see the common bond, of a Sig in any chapter. Our next stop was Penn State; all I would like to say about that, WOW! Their chapter house was quite impressive. The Greek Organizations at Penn State was impressive in its own self. At Rutgers, Greek Life is taken for granted, which is a big disappointment, but at Penn State and UPenn, it is a very important community. The brothers at Penn State were really awesome. It was here where I realized each chapter has its own traditions that make them stand out from the other Sigma Chi Chapters. I like this a lot, every Chapter is special in their different way. Another thing that stood out to me is how their alumni are very active. During our stay, we ran into an alumnus, which shows the dedication. I can only hope one day that I am the one who is able to help future Sigma Chi members, as the alumni who have helped us. Road trip was fun, and hopefully I will be able to do it again.
Posted By: Sagar Agrawal
During Spring Break, some Brothers and some new members went around P.A. to check out some different chapter houses. This was a very fun experience. Our first stop was UPenn. UPenn was pretty amazing. Their house was historic and the Brothers were really cool. It was my first time seeing UPenn, so it was a different experience for me. The best part was being able to see how the chapter was different from us, but still the same. It was possible to see the common bond, of a Sig in any chapter. Our next stop was Penn State; all I would like to say about that, WOW! Their chapter house was quite impressive. The Greek Organizations at Penn State was impressive in its own self. At Rutgers, Greek Life is taken for granted, which is a big disappointment, but at Penn State and UPenn, it is a very important community. The brothers at Penn State were really awesome. It was here where I realized each chapter has its own traditions that make them stand out from the other Sigma Chi Chapters. I like this a lot, every Chapter is special in their different way. Another thing that stood out to me is how their alumni are very active. During our stay, we ran into an alumnus, which shows the dedication. I can only hope one day that I am the one who is able to help future Sigma Chi members, as the alumni who have helped us. Road trip was fun, and hopefully I will be able to do it again.
Posted By: Sagar Agrawal
Thieves Caught Stealing from a Sigma Chi Chapter House
Editor's Note: Risk Management is a major concern in our Fraternity and it includes protecting the Chapter House from vandals and thieves. This article shows how it is important to make sure that the Chapter House is secure and safe from unwanted outsiders.
Two arrested for stealing from Lincoln frat house
Associated Press - March 25, 2008 10:05 AM ET
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Two Lincoln men remain behind bars after being arrested on suspicion of stealing numerous big-ticket items from a University of Nebraska-Lincoln fraternity house.
Campus police arrested 19-year-old Zhan Li and 20-year-old Kyle Marquis around 2:30 Friday morning. The arrests came after Sigma Chi fraternity members reported seeing the two men carrying objects from the frat house.
Police say a vehicle registered to Li found in the Sigma Chi parking lot held a guitar, amplifier and a projector belonging to the fraternity.
Police say Marquis had acquired a code to get into the fraternity house. Officers say a big screen TV, several video game consoles and dozens of DVDs and video game reported stolen from the frat house were found in Li's home.
Li and Marquis are not fraternity members or UNL students.
Posted By: Mitch Reynolds
Two arrested for stealing from Lincoln frat house
Associated Press - March 25, 2008 10:05 AM ET
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) - Two Lincoln men remain behind bars after being arrested on suspicion of stealing numerous big-ticket items from a University of Nebraska-Lincoln fraternity house.
Campus police arrested 19-year-old Zhan Li and 20-year-old Kyle Marquis around 2:30 Friday morning. The arrests came after Sigma Chi fraternity members reported seeing the two men carrying objects from the frat house.
Police say a vehicle registered to Li found in the Sigma Chi parking lot held a guitar, amplifier and a projector belonging to the fraternity.
Police say Marquis had acquired a code to get into the fraternity house. Officers say a big screen TV, several video game consoles and dozens of DVDs and video game reported stolen from the frat house were found in Li's home.
Li and Marquis are not fraternity members or UNL students.
Posted By: Mitch Reynolds
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Meet the New Member
Name: Hadey Salem
Age: 18 soon to be 19
Location: Carney's Point NJ, Livy
Major: Prebusiness, economics
Favorite Movies: The Usual Suspects, Reservoir Dogs, Rendition,
Half-Baked, and others
Favorite Bands: Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Pearl Jam, Jimi Hnedrix, Queens
of The Stone Age, Radiohead Bump J, Saigon, Tupac, 50 cent; I listen to a
lot of music
Favorite Cheese: Gouda, Brie, I like varying cheeses
Favorite Sport: Football and Hockey (Flyers)
Favorite TV Show: Entourage, Scrubs, The Simpsons
Most attractive in a girl: Personality, Eyes, Physique, Smile, and Humor
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Meet the New Member
Name: Chris Algiere
Age: 19
Location: Durham CT, Livy
Major: Pre business, economics
Favorite Movies: Weekend at Bernies (I and II)and the 2004 Red Sox World Series Commemorative DVD
including the miraculous comeback from three games down in
ALCS against the Skankees!Favorite Bands: Led Zeppelin G-UNIT and any 90's rock
Favorite Cheese: Provolone Baby!!! what??
Favorite Sport: Baseball
Favorite TV Show: Redsox beating the Yankees/ The Office (thats what she said).
Most attractive in a girl: Physique, smile, easy ....to hang out with
Additional Comments: I'd like to know what exactly the Hackler Standard is. And maybe it should be lowered...Favorite Cheese: Provolone Baby!!! what??
Favorite Sport: Baseball
Favorite TV Show: Redsox beating the Yankees/ The Office (thats what she said).
Most attractive in a girl: Physique, smile, easy ....to hang out with
Posted By: Chris Algiere
Fraternities Forced Out of Lehigh
Editor's Note: This article is about Lehigh's decision to remove the Beta Theta Pi and the Sigma Alpha Mu fraternities from the school. Beta Theta Pi will not be able to return for ten years due to issues with alcohol and drugs while Sammy will face a lesser penalty. This shows why it is important to have a strong sense of personal responsibility and act within the guidelines set by the College and the IFC.
Alcohol forces out Lehigh fraternities
Two organizations to be off campus for several years.
Saturday, March 22, 2008 The Express-Times
By BEVIN MILAVSKY
BETHLEHEM | Two Lehigh University fraternities are closing after underage drinking incidents, including one that landed two students in the hospital.
Beta Theta Pi and Sigma Alpha Mu have been ordered to shut their doors, according to John Smeaton, vice provost for student affairs. Hearings were held on campus earlier this week.
In Beta Theta Pi's case, the fraternity's international headquarters, based in Ohio, stepped in before the hearing and disbanded the chapter. The fraternity is not permitted to reopen at Lehigh for 10 years.
Sigma Alpha Mu was already on disciplinary probation from drinking-related incidents in the fall semester, Smeaton said. So when Alexander Freeman and Nicholas Benintende were charged with underage drinking, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia Feb. 3, it was the last straw.
Smeaton said Sigma Alpha Mu's sanction is in effect for four years. Both houses have a week to appeal, but Smeaton said Beta Theta Pi would have to win at the university and the national level to keep the house.
Neither Thomas Olver, director of communications, or Judson Horras, administrative secretary at the chapter's headquarters in Ohio, was available for comment Friday.
There are 19 other fraternities and nine sororities at Lehigh. The last house closed for disciplinary reasons was Alpha Sigma Phi in 2005, Smeaton said.
Students in the two fraternities that have been ordered to close won't be without housing. Lehigh officials are permitting them to remain in the fraternity houses for the remainder of the semester, as long as they do not violate any more rules.
"Our number one priority is to protect the health and safety of our students, and clearly in that case that was jeopardized," Smeaton said. "That simply cannot be tolerated."
From 1996 to 2005, Lehigh had a grant that targeted problems associated with underage drinking. Since then, Smeaton said, the university has continued to fund educational programs and policies to teach students what is expected of them and consistently enforce violations.
"We look at the entire campus environment and try to identify with our students, with our alums, with our faculty and staff, opportunities to promote a healthy culture," he said.
Posted By: Evan HacklerMonday, March 24, 2008
Sigma Chi / Gamma Phi Beta Derby Days Video
This is the video of the Gamma Phi Beta Sorority dancing for Sigma Chi's Derby Days.
Posted By: Evan Hackler
Posted By: Evan Hackler
Fraternity Stabbing
Editor's Note: This article discusses a stabbing that occurred at a fraternity party one Saturday night. Something like this could tarnish the integrity of the fraternity and is probably irreversible. They should have made sure that they let in the right people as that things like this do not happen.
Student stabbed at fraternity
An unknown assailant snuck into the Lambda Chi Alpha house early Sunday morning
By: Ryan Knutson
Posted: 10/15/07
A University student was stabbed while inside his fraternity house around 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning by an unidentified assailant who wore a bandanna covering his face, sources say.
The assailant snuck into Lambda Chi Alpha through a back staircase and knocked on a third-floor door. When the student opened the door he was attacked and stabbed in the upper abdomen and the calf.
The fraternity asked the Emerald not to disclose the name of the injured student, but Sacred Heart Medical Center confirmed that he is in fair condition.
"We're going to support our brother through this difficult time," said fraternity President Jonathon Johansen, adding that the fraternity is considering the assault a random act of violence.
The fraternity declined to release additional details, but said it would issue a statement sometime this week.
Eugene Police spokeswoman Kerry Delf was unable to reach the responding officer Sunday night, and couldn't provide the Emerald with additional details. She did, however, confirm that police responded to an assault at the Lambda Chi Alpha house around 3:30 that morning.
After the stabbing, another member of Lambda Chi Alpha chased the assailant from the house, located at 18th Avenue and Onyx Street, but couldn't catch him, sources say.
Multiple sources said a group of people were asked to leave a Lambda Chi Alpha party earlier that night, and as they left, the group made threatening remarks to fraternity members.
Johansen said that if anyone has questions about the incident, they can call John Holloway, the director of chapter services, at (317) 872-8000.
Sources asked not to be named in this story because they didn't want to act contrary to the fraternity's wishes by releasing information to the press.
Editor-in-Chief Laura Powers contributed to this report.
Editor's note: The Emerald has a policy of not basing stories completely on anonymous sources. Nevertheless, the danger to the public that the assailant may still pose persuaded us to disclose as much information as we could without going against the wishes of our sources.
rknutson@dailyemerald.com © Copyright 2008 Oregon Daily Emerald
Posted By: Michael Schroeder
Student stabbed at fraternity
An unknown assailant snuck into the Lambda Chi Alpha house early Sunday morning
By: Ryan Knutson
Posted: 10/15/07
A University student was stabbed while inside his fraternity house around 3:30 a.m. Sunday morning by an unidentified assailant who wore a bandanna covering his face, sources say.
The assailant snuck into Lambda Chi Alpha through a back staircase and knocked on a third-floor door. When the student opened the door he was attacked and stabbed in the upper abdomen and the calf.
The fraternity asked the Emerald not to disclose the name of the injured student, but Sacred Heart Medical Center confirmed that he is in fair condition.
"We're going to support our brother through this difficult time," said fraternity President Jonathon Johansen, adding that the fraternity is considering the assault a random act of violence.
The fraternity declined to release additional details, but said it would issue a statement sometime this week.
Eugene Police spokeswoman Kerry Delf was unable to reach the responding officer Sunday night, and couldn't provide the Emerald with additional details. She did, however, confirm that police responded to an assault at the Lambda Chi Alpha house around 3:30 that morning.
After the stabbing, another member of Lambda Chi Alpha chased the assailant from the house, located at 18th Avenue and Onyx Street, but couldn't catch him, sources say.
Multiple sources said a group of people were asked to leave a Lambda Chi Alpha party earlier that night, and as they left, the group made threatening remarks to fraternity members.
Johansen said that if anyone has questions about the incident, they can call John Holloway, the director of chapter services, at (317) 872-8000.
Sources asked not to be named in this story because they didn't want to act contrary to the fraternity's wishes by releasing information to the press.
Editor-in-Chief Laura Powers contributed to this report.
Editor's note: The Emerald has a policy of not basing stories completely on anonymous sources. Nevertheless, the danger to the public that the assailant may still pose persuaded us to disclose as much information as we could without going against the wishes of our sources.
rknutson@dailyemerald.com © Copyright 2008 Oregon Daily Emerald
Posted By: Michael Schroeder
Friday, March 14, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Meet The New Member
Name: Evan Hackler
Age: 18
Location: Bayonne / Livingston NTWAAAHOOO
Major: History? might change to Criminal Justice
Favorite word: Brah
Favorite Movie: Anchorman
Favorite Band: The Early November / Underoath
Favorite Cheese: Brie
Favorite Sport: Baseball
Favorite TV Show: XFILES / CHUCK
Most attractive in a girl: Face / Physique / Passing the Hackler Standard
Additional Comments: I love Stacy Keibler
Editor's Note: In this article it is written about the party aspect of a fraternity and how the neighbors of a community really did not like the fraternity in that neighborhood. It was mentioned yesterday that the media and others only see the party aspect of a fraternity and they do not see the charity work that we do, visiting sick kids in the hospital, raising money for those kids, and all the other good things to help out the world.
IF zero tolerance resides here, so be it. The homeowners of Fox Hollow Road blame the Stony Brook University fraternity that came to play — and not by suburbia’s rules.
Free of Frat Parties, Neighbors Still Worry
Credit: New York Times
Setauket
IF zero tolerance resides here, so be it. The homeowners of Fox Hollow Road blame the Stony Brook University fraternity that came to play — and not by suburbia’s rules.
Less than a year after it revved up the action ante on this dead-end street, the house at 9 Fox Hollow is empty: no more Zeta Beta Tau fraternity brothers, and drunken legions of not-so-Greek gods and goddesses of their acquaintance, raising the roof in the wee hours, neighbors say. No more testing the patience of this once-tranquil community to the point where a neighborhood association was formed expressly to retract the welcome mat and apply pressure on town officials to address their complaints about noise and constant traffic. Some wives said they feared — not fantasized; this is no Wisteria Lane — that their sleep-deprived husbands might take vigilante action against the collegiate revelers/renters incongruously in their midst.
What was once inconceivable became a recurring aggravation on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, residents say: the trill of cellphones, the slamming of car doors and the reverberation of inebriated farewells at 3 a.m. Kids urinating on shrubberies, vomiting on lawns, tossing their empties into hostile territory. The new normal? Party central.
“It was the so-called ‘Animal House,’ which means you can call me the party pooper,” said Paul Degen, the Brookhaven official who, as senior investigator for the town attorney’s office and goaded by the neighborhood’s ire, coordinated a multimonth investigation that culminated in a raid last month by town investigators and the Suffolk County Police.
The fun house was shut down for numerous nuisance and occupancy law violations, Mr. Degen said. In exchange for exiting, the renters were not prosecuted by the town. (Mr. Degen vowed not to be as understanding if he runs into the group again.) The absentee owners were fined.
When the violations are corrected and the flophouse floor plan is converted back to a single-family residence (the town says the renters made many unauthorized alterations), Mr. Degen predicts the house will be sold. Any peep of impropriety, he added, and he and his squad will be back. The neighborhood has suffered enough.
“The era of the town turning its back on this kind of stuff is not going to continue; it’s over,” Mr. Degen said, hinting that a reconfiguration of residency laws to protect residential neighborhoods from similar abuses is possible this year.
The only sign of recent occupancy at 9 Fox Hollow is nearly hidden in the trampled foliage by the front stoop: a forlorn aquarium with a red beer cup — not dead goldfish — floating inside. The illegal accessory apartment over the garage is empty, too. But the shellshocked neighbors across the street still block the entrance to their driveway with a chain; hard-learned habits die hard.
Perhaps they aren’t being paranoid, just protective. Why? Because of the adjacent threat that lurks at 11 Fox Hollow: another absentee owner and a houseful of male renters with ties to Stony Brook. This house, unlike the one at No. 9, has a valid rental permit, and the tenants are members of the university’s lacrosse team. A pre-Thanksgiving bash they had — called the Executive Party for its black-tie dress code and costing five bucks a head — brought a visit by the police and was the talk of the block. Not because the neighbors attended, but because it triggered memories of their extended duel with the half-dozen frat boys (as well as a few nonstudent residents) who had so boldly inhabited No. 9. Never fear; Mr. Degen is watching.
Now the frazzled homeowners of Fox Hollow, a tranquil enclave a few minutes’ drive from campus, are hoping winter break lasts forever. And that the street’s sudden Internet repute as a party-friendly fraternity row is fleeting.
Not just the residents’ sanity, but also their property values may depend on it. Hell hath no fury like a property owner who senses his equity going down the drain because of an influx of bad neighbors. Stony Brook, which does not provide housing to its 33 registered fraternities and sororities, says that it suspended Zeta Beta Tau (the fraternity whose members lived at No. 9), and that it cautioned the lacrosse players against any inappropriate behavior, but that mollified the locals only slightly. Neighbors want the university, which has no jurisdiction over off-campus housing hijinks, to put its foot down.
“It’s like being held prisoner in your own neighborhood,” said Ken Bencal, a former New York City police officer who moved to Fox Hollow 21 years ago with his wife, Peggy. “I used to say that even if I won the lottery, I’d still want to stay. We built our dream house here. Now I don’t know. All I can say is, when those kids moved out of No. 9, it felt like a gift from heaven.”
And when those kids moved into No. 11? They and their neighbors braced for purgatory. “You’ll never fit in,” Peggy Bencal said she told the students, “and we want you out.”
Posted By: Kevin Naranjo
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Favorite Founders
James Parks Caldwell
Caldwell is my favorite founder because he was so well rounded. Not only was he smart, enthusiastic, and multitalented, he founded a Fraternity at the age of 14. When I was 14 I was happy to have survived math class.
Posted By: Esteban Escobar
Greeks Take Philanthropy to a New Level
Fraternity brothers to cycle cross-country for philanthropy
Editor's Note: This story is about two Phi Kappa Phi brothers who will be cycling across the entire country from California to the capitol in order to raise awareness for the disabled. These men are clearly men of good character and are possessed of good morals because of their extraordinary devotion to helping others and participating in an event that is larger than themselves.
Brittney Moore
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 issue
For most students, summer vacation means driving to the beach or relaxing at home. But for two fraternity brothers, this summer will be a Journey of Hope.
Pi Kappa Phi brothers Tripp Plaskett, an undecided sophomore, and C.J. Musta, a senior in biological sciences, will be cycling 4,000 miles from San Diego to the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington this summer for Journey of Hope, a cross-country bicycle trek to raise awareness for the disabled.
The Journey of Hope began in 1987 when a brother made a cross country cycling trip for Push America, a non-profit organization started by Pi Kappa Phi to benefit those with disabilities, according to the organization’s Web site. In 1988, the fraternity expanded the trip to found the “largest fraternal fundraising and awareness event of its kind, the Journey of Hope.”
The trip will begin on June 8 and will finish on Aug. 16.
Plaskett said he decided to take part in JOH “to help benefit people with disabilities so that hopefully they can enjoy life to the fullest, as I strive to do.” After he spoke with a fraternity brother, Plaskett looked into JOH and submitted an application. “It seems … that it was ‘life changing.’ (The) stories are why I have committed to give up a summer of my life to benefit others in hope that they will get the same enjoyment from our interactions as I hope to,” Plaskett said.
Musta joined JOH for personal reasons.
“There are two people from back home that I am making this bike ride for,” Musta said. “My grandfather, whom I am named after, died last April and my friend, Daniel Watkins, that got hit by a truck while riding his bicycle when we were 9 years old,” Musta said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. Helping kids with disabilities and getting to see America from coast to coast … on a bicycle is truly amazing.”
There are three teams of approximately 20 to 25 men from across the United States, Plaskett said. The teams have activities planned every day to work with local communities, including bowling, puppet shows for children, dances, themed dinners and wheelchair basketball.
To prepare for their journey, Plaskett and Musta started training on stationary bikes shortly after they were accepted to JOH.
“We both have continued this as well as light weight lifting daily, and more recently (we) have started cycling on the roads when the weather is favorable,” Plaskett said.
Plaskett said he hopes to brighten the lives of those he comes across this summer.
“I also hope to learn more about myself and find new ways to fully enjoy life,” he added.
The only obstacle Plaskett fears is making the fundraising goal while keeping up with his training regimen. Each team member in Push America is required to raise $5,000. Plaskett said that he and Musta have raised about $4,500 so far, and they plan to have a spaghetti dinner to help raise the last of their donations. A table will also be set up on the Pedestrian Mall to help raise donations and inform the campus community about Push America and JOH.
Plaskett hopes to complete his fundraising by mid-April and said that he is confident he will make his goal.
“I am so excited to begin this trip that it will take something immense to stop me from making it to the finish,” he said. “I have no doubt that in August I can start classes knowing that I cycled over 4,000 miles across the country in just one summer.”
Posted By: Evan Hackler
Editor's Note: This story is about two Phi Kappa Phi brothers who will be cycling across the entire country from California to the capitol in order to raise awareness for the disabled. These men are clearly men of good character and are possessed of good morals because of their extraordinary devotion to helping others and participating in an event that is larger than themselves.
Brittney Moore
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 issue
For most students, summer vacation means driving to the beach or relaxing at home. But for two fraternity brothers, this summer will be a Journey of Hope.
Pi Kappa Phi brothers Tripp Plaskett, an undecided sophomore, and C.J. Musta, a senior in biological sciences, will be cycling 4,000 miles from San Diego to the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol building in Washington this summer for Journey of Hope, a cross-country bicycle trek to raise awareness for the disabled.
The Journey of Hope began in 1987 when a brother made a cross country cycling trip for Push America, a non-profit organization started by Pi Kappa Phi to benefit those with disabilities, according to the organization’s Web site. In 1988, the fraternity expanded the trip to found the “largest fraternal fundraising and awareness event of its kind, the Journey of Hope.”
The trip will begin on June 8 and will finish on Aug. 16.
Plaskett said he decided to take part in JOH “to help benefit people with disabilities so that hopefully they can enjoy life to the fullest, as I strive to do.” After he spoke with a fraternity brother, Plaskett looked into JOH and submitted an application. “It seems … that it was ‘life changing.’ (The) stories are why I have committed to give up a summer of my life to benefit others in hope that they will get the same enjoyment from our interactions as I hope to,” Plaskett said.
Musta joined JOH for personal reasons.
“There are two people from back home that I am making this bike ride for,” Musta said. “My grandfather, whom I am named after, died last April and my friend, Daniel Watkins, that got hit by a truck while riding his bicycle when we were 9 years old,” Musta said. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity for me. Helping kids with disabilities and getting to see America from coast to coast … on a bicycle is truly amazing.”
There are three teams of approximately 20 to 25 men from across the United States, Plaskett said. The teams have activities planned every day to work with local communities, including bowling, puppet shows for children, dances, themed dinners and wheelchair basketball.
To prepare for their journey, Plaskett and Musta started training on stationary bikes shortly after they were accepted to JOH.
“We both have continued this as well as light weight lifting daily, and more recently (we) have started cycling on the roads when the weather is favorable,” Plaskett said.
Plaskett said he hopes to brighten the lives of those he comes across this summer.
“I also hope to learn more about myself and find new ways to fully enjoy life,” he added.
The only obstacle Plaskett fears is making the fundraising goal while keeping up with his training regimen. Each team member in Push America is required to raise $5,000. Plaskett said that he and Musta have raised about $4,500 so far, and they plan to have a spaghetti dinner to help raise the last of their donations. A table will also be set up on the Pedestrian Mall to help raise donations and inform the campus community about Push America and JOH.
Plaskett hopes to complete his fundraising by mid-April and said that he is confident he will make his goal.
“I am so excited to begin this trip that it will take something immense to stop me from making it to the finish,” he said. “I have no doubt that in August I can start classes knowing that I cycled over 4,000 miles across the country in just one summer.”
Posted By: Evan Hackler
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Sigma Chi First Place in Fryberger Sing Competition
Editor's Note: This discusses two Greek organizations, Sigma Chi and Sigma Kappa, who participated in and placed first in a singing competition and fundraiser. This was a good idea for it aloud all of the Greek organizations at the University of Louisville to compete against each other and at the same time raise money.
Sigma Kappa, Sigma Chi top 71st Fryberger Sing competition
March 6th, 2008
By Sarah Kayrouz
Months of preparation paid off for Sigma Kappa sorority and Sigma Chi fraternity March 2 when each claimed first place honors in their divisions at the University of Louisville’s Fryberger Greek Sing competition and fundraiser.
The competition, a 71-year tradition that began with groups singing a cappella on the steps of Grawemeyer Hall, now sees fraternities and sororities focus their creativity into full-scale musical productions complete with elaborate costumes and choreographed dance steps.
An 18-member board and Joni Burke, an assistant director of student life, produce the entire competition doing everything from securing the location to positioning each microphone on stage.
Fryberger is one of the few Greek-wide events that parents are invited to, Burke said. It is a special event for some of those parents who participated in the sing when they were students.
This year’s event saw all six sororities compete. Sigma Kappa’s winning performance was a medley from the Broadway show and film “A Chorus Line.”
Eleven of UofL’s 12 fraternities competed. Sigma Chi extended its winning tradition to 12 years with a program of songs that have the word “girl” in the title.
The Fryberger Sing was started in 1937 for Agnes Moore Fryberger, a music teacher at UofL in the 1930s. Her students arranged the musical competition to honor her when she was forced to leave the university due to illness. It remained a university-wide event for several decades until waning interest threatened its existence. The Greek community then adopted it as its own.
The event has grown tremendously since then. It now takes place at Memorial Auditorium, a venue that seats 1,700 people — which it has outgrown. Fryberger Sing regularly sells out.
In 2000, organizers began to charge admission. Proceeds help fund student attendance at leadership conferences. Starting this year, they also go to a new $1,000 scholarship for one sorority and one fraternity member. The Fryberger scholarship is rewarded based on financial need, academic achievement and campus and community involvement.
Posted By: Mike Schroeder
Sigma Kappa, Sigma Chi top 71st Fryberger Sing competition
March 6th, 2008
By Sarah Kayrouz
Months of preparation paid off for Sigma Kappa sorority and Sigma Chi fraternity March 2 when each claimed first place honors in their divisions at the University of Louisville’s Fryberger Greek Sing competition and fundraiser.
The competition, a 71-year tradition that began with groups singing a cappella on the steps of Grawemeyer Hall, now sees fraternities and sororities focus their creativity into full-scale musical productions complete with elaborate costumes and choreographed dance steps.
An 18-member board and Joni Burke, an assistant director of student life, produce the entire competition doing everything from securing the location to positioning each microphone on stage.
Fryberger is one of the few Greek-wide events that parents are invited to, Burke said. It is a special event for some of those parents who participated in the sing when they were students.
This year’s event saw all six sororities compete. Sigma Kappa’s winning performance was a medley from the Broadway show and film “A Chorus Line.”
Eleven of UofL’s 12 fraternities competed. Sigma Chi extended its winning tradition to 12 years with a program of songs that have the word “girl” in the title.
The Fryberger Sing was started in 1937 for Agnes Moore Fryberger, a music teacher at UofL in the 1930s. Her students arranged the musical competition to honor her when she was forced to leave the university due to illness. It remained a university-wide event for several decades until waning interest threatened its existence. The Greek community then adopted it as its own.
The event has grown tremendously since then. It now takes place at Memorial Auditorium, a venue that seats 1,700 people — which it has outgrown. Fryberger Sing regularly sells out.
In 2000, organizers began to charge admission. Proceeds help fund student attendance at leadership conferences. Starting this year, they also go to a new $1,000 scholarship for one sorority and one fraternity member. The Fryberger scholarship is rewarded based on financial need, academic achievement and campus and community involvement.
Posted By: Mike Schroeder
Monday, March 10, 2008
Greek Education
Editor's Note: Everyone has the assumption that people in Fraternities and Sororities are dumb. Whenever a movie or TV shows, shows a Fraternity, no one gets to see the academia side of Greek Organizations, all people see is the drinking and other bad news sometimes associated. This article shows how scores in the University of Delaware compared for Greek Organizations and regular students, what is amazing is that most of the Fraternities have higher overall GPAs than guys not in a fraternity. Many people have to realize that Greek Organizations are well rounded. Also they need to realize just because maybe one Organization may have a bad name, you can’t stereotype them all. This article also shows the amount of money raised and hours of community service by Greek Organizations; this is more of the positive side that I personally like about Greek Life. This is why I chose to be part of a Fraternity, to help out the community in a way I can enjoy and give back at the same time. I would also like to note that the Sigma Chi at University of Delaware was in the Gold Level, which is the rating they have gotten from the Inter-Fraternity council, which appreciates the Sigma Chi Chapter for their well roundedness.
Greek CAP Scores Show Improvements
By: Adam Thomas UDaily News
3:35 p.m., March 4, 2008--Chapter Assessment Program (CAP) scores for fall 2007 are in, and most of UD's 35 fraternities and sororities have outdone themselves.
Sorority sisters' GPAs averaged 3.31 for the fall semester while their non-sorority counterparts earned an average of 3.10. Fraternity brothers earned an average 3.04 GPA for the fall semester compared to the non-fraternity male average of 2.86. The all-Greek GPA rose to an all-time high of 3.2.
The Greeks saw a 92 percent New Member Retention rate, showing that more people are completing the new member programming. Two new chapters, FIJI and Lambda Theta Alpha, colonized on campus and both received bronze-level recognition.
CAP is an evaluation system created by the Interfraternity Council and the Panhellenic Council, in coordination with the Student Centers and the Faculty Senate, to improve the management and the quality of sorority and fraternity chapters.
Scores are based on four standards--academics, chapter management, membership development and community involvement. This year's scores are on the CAP Web site at [www.udel.edu/student-centers
This year saw a 50 percent increase in gold chapter status, with 28 gold-level chapters total, and all Interfraternity Council (IFC) and Panhellenic Council chapters received gold status.
Ranked at the gold level for fraternities are Alpha Epsilon Pi, Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Phi Alpha, Kappa Delta Rho, Kappa Sigma, Lambda Chi Alpha, Lambda Theta Phi, Phi Sigma Kappa, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Alpha Mu, Sigma Chi, Sigma Phi Epsilon, Sigma Pi (colony), Tau Epsilon Phi and Theta Chi.
Ranked at the gold level for sororities are Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Alpha Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Xi Delta, Chi Omega, Chi Upsilon Sigma, Delta Gamma, Delta Sigma Theta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Sigma Alpha and Sigma Kappa.
Ranked at the silver level for fraternities is Lambda Sigma Upsilon, and there are no silver sorority winners.
Ranked at the bronze level for fraternities are FIJI, Kappa Alpha Psi and Phi Beta Sigma.
Ranked at the bronze level for sororities is Lamba Theta Alpha.
In the 2007 calendar year, more than $135,000 was donated to charities and the Greeks completed more than 4,500 hours of community service for the 2007 fall semester.
Reaction
Everyone has the assumption that people in Fraternities and Sororities are dumb. Whenever a movie or TV shows, shows a Fraternity, no one gets to see the academia side of Greek Organizations, all people see is the drinking and other bad news sometimes associated. This article shows how scores in the University of Delaware compared for Greek Organizations and regular students, what is amazing is that most of the Fraternities have higher overall GPAs than guys not in a fraternity. Many people have to realize that Greek Organizations are well rounded. Also they need to realize just because maybe one Organization may have a bad name, you can’t stereotype them all. This article also shows the amount of money raised and hours of community service by Greek Organizations; this is more of the positive side that I personally like about Greek Life. This is why I chose to be part of a Fraternity, to help out the community in a way I can enjoy and give back at the same time. I would also like to note that the Sigma Chi at University of Delaware was in the Gold Level, which is the rating they have gotten from the Inter-Fraternity council, which appreciates the Sigma Chi Chapter for their well roundedness.
Posted By: Sagar Agrawal
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