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(10/20/00 6:02am)
There was an unexpected win at Alumni Hall Thursday night. \nVarious IU organizations competed in the annual Yell Like Hell spirit competition to kick off Homecoming. It was sponsored by the Student Athletic Board, IU Alumni Association and the Student Alumni Association. Students sang, danced and performed skits. \nBut one act stole the show.\nThe students of Read Quad performed a song from the Beatles. They changed the lyrics and sang about the typical life of an IU freshman living at Read. At the end of the night the judges announced them the winners.\nRead participants jumped up and hugged each other. Aimee Dawson, a sophomore and the president of Read, said the win came as a shock.\n"This is unbelievable," Dawson said. "It is about time. The residence halls are trying to make a name for themselves. In the past, the support was lacking."\nThe acts were judged by five IU alumni. Jerome Tardy, a judge for the competition said Read won because of the amount of spirit their act instilled in the audience.\n"Their reaction with the crowd and the crowd's reaction with them was great," Tardy said. "It's a win, win situation. They just looked like they put a lot of effort into this. I will be looking for Read at IU Sing."\nThe Homecoming theme, "Back where you belong," centered around IU alumni coming back to IU and realizing it was where they should be.\nMembers of Kappa Alpha Theta and Delta Chi portrayed this year's theme in their skit. It was the year 2060 and an old IU alumni couple was reading the a newspaper. They reminisced about their IU memories as members danced and sang "This is us at IU baby -- this is us at IU Homecoming."\nPatricia Surfus, a junior and vice president of SAA, said the goal of the event is to make students realize Homecoming isn't just about a game, it's about spirit.\n"It's the first event where all the students come together," Surfus said. "...it's an especially good time to get the spirit started for the rest of the student body."\nThe acts are judged on their creativity and their success in making the crowd cheer. Meredith Suffron, senior and vice president of SAA said a lot of preparation goes into the competition. All the acts and scripts are screened by SAA before hand.\n"It's more than just a competition -- you have to entertain the crowd," Suffron said. \nScott Siegel, a representative of IU Alumni Association said every year they try to bring in a variety of performances in addition to the acts.\n"It's to add flavor to the show," Siegel said.\nWhen the members of Straight No Chaser took the stage all eyes were on them. The crowd cheered and danced to their songs and they received a standing ovation.\n"I love Straight No Chaser. They are awesome," said sophomore Kristin Modrowski. "They are laid-back and fun. They bring a great energy to the show. They are like IU's Backstreet Boys"
(10/18/00 4:45am)
A 19-year-old sorority woman attends a formal dance held in Chicago. She consumes too much alcohol and dies. Who should be held liable for her death?\nThis case was presented in a mock trial format to IU sorority women in a seminar called "Something of Value." The seminar, sponsored by the Panhellenic Association, was an all-day event held Saturday at Wittenberger Auditorium.\nK J Powell, team leader and coordinator of the program said the National Panhellenic Council started offering the seminar to chapters four years ago. They now have presented 10 programs across the country. The programs are tailored to the social environment of each university. Issues addressed range from sisterhood to underage drinking.\n"The goal is to find an action plan to decrease consequences of risky behavior," Powell said. "It's to create a safer environment for our chapter members. These greek women are ready to talk about these issues. The hard part is implementing and encouraging them to follow it."\nPowell said the success of the program varies with each campus. There were some campuses that implemented a non-alcohol policy after the program. The sorority women of one university burned their fake IDs and eliminated drunken serenades.\nStan Sweeney, greek adviser, said he is optimistic about the program.\n"My hope is that after this program the women are empowered to address these issues," he said. "They do have a voice, and they have a power to confront and a power to care -- that's what it's about."\nThe executive board of each chapter attended the seminar, along with two sophomores and two juniors from each house.\n"We brought them together to help them identify what are the values of being in a sorority, and to help them realize what is important about being a member," said Jaime Hockensmith, a senior and vice president of risk management for Panhellenic Association. \nThe event consisted of a mock trial, which was facilitated by a lawyer. Later in the day the women were grouped in break-out sessions where they identified risky behaviors and a plan of action to eliminate those behaviors. A member of PHA and a national representative facilitated the break-out sessions. Each group was responsible for creating a plan of action for the risky behavior they identified. \nFraternity men did not attend the event.\n"This event is to unite us, and it is a way for us to get together as women," Hockensmith said. "It's intimidating when the men are here, and this program only works with honesty."\nSweeney said he believes the fraternities will follow the decisions of the women if they still want to have functions with them.\n"It's not a control issue-- it's about protecting your members," he said.
(10/17/00 4:48am)
Alpha Gamma Delta, 1314 N. Jordan Ave., kicked off its annual Teeter-Totter-a-Thon Saturday. The goal of the philanthropy event was to teeter-totter for 24 hours to raise money for juvenile diabetes.\nSorority members signed up for one-hour shifts for teeter-tottering and for supporting the participants. Representatives from nine other chapters also participated in the fund-raiser.\nJunior Renee Chafitz, Alpha Gamma Delta philanthropy coordinator, said they raised $2,000 - $3,000. The money goes to the Alpha Gamma Delta foundation and is then donated to juvenile diabetes research.\nChafitz said the strength of the event was the help of the greek community.\n"It's a good time and it's a bonding experience," said Chafitz. "We know it's for charity and it's worth it."\nChafitz said in the past only AGD members teeter-tottered while other chapter members came to support and cheer them on. This year, the house purchased another teeter-totter so other chapters could participate.\n"This was an attempt to get the other houses involved," Chafitz said. "There are 30-something houses -- there is still room for involvement. The more support we get from the community and the campus, the better."\nColleen Sullivan, senior and president of Alpha Gamma Delta, said she participates in the event because it is fun.\n"Everyone is out here almost all throughout the night. People come by (at) 2 and 3 in the morning," Sullivan said. "When they see everyone out here and they ask us what we are doing, we tell them about our philanthropy."\nSullivan said greek support for the event has improved over the years.\nAlpha Omricon Pi members and juniors Amanda Eich and Beth Hendricks said they participated in the event because the activity reminded them about their childhood memories.\n"When I was a kid in grade school I would be the first one to run out to the teeter-totter during recess," Hendricks said.\nAlpha Gamma Delta met its goal by noon Sunday. Participants cheered and had a countdown for the last 30 seconds of the event.
(10/12/00 6:10am)
Although he chooses to remain anonymous, he still shared his story Wednesday night, at a lecture called "Out in Greek Life."\nHe joined a fraternity for brotherhood and leadership. He made many new friends, but became depressed his junior year. He felt he was living a lie.\nHe was gay.\nSenior year, he made the decision to come out to his fraternity brothers and was struck by the positive responses he has received.\nThis story and others were shared during the lecture as a part of National Coming Out Day. Pam Freeman, assistant dean of students, was the guest speaker.\nFreeman co-edited a book titled "Out on Fraternity Row" along with IU alumnus Shane Windmeyer. The book presents personal testimonies of gay men in fraternities as well as the reactions of straight men. \n"One of the goals of this book is to make organizations think 'is there anything in my organization that would prevent a member from coming out?'" Freeman said. \nJason Jones, a senior and president of OUT, said many greek events are surrounded around heterosexuality.\n"Greek culture breeds a normal mainstream heterosexuality way of thinking and that makes it difficult to address homosexuality," he said.\nBut Jones said he is hopeful the greek system will change over time.\nGay men join fraternities for many reasons similar to the ones of heterosexual men, Freeman said.\nIf fraternities and sororities went back to the values they were founded on and made it their focus, then gay members would be more accepted, Freeman added.\n"Reading someone else's account can make someone feel less alone -- this was a great motivation for doing this book," she said. \nFreeman shared some of the testimonies in the book with the students who attended the lecture. This led to a discussion and a forum for students to share their personal stories.\nA student who chose to remain anonymous shared her story of the consequences of becoming a member of OUT and being a sorority member. She said she isn't a lesbian but she joined the organization because one of her good friends was a member. Although some of her sorority sisters were supportive, others changed the way they acted around her.\n"I think coming out in a sorority may be more negative than a fraternity," she said.\nFreeman said her next book focuses on homosexuality in sororities. She said it was harder to get stories from women.\n"I don't know if it's because there are fewer lesbian women in the greek system or if it's just not a big issue," Freeman said. \nJunior Amanda Thompson, an Alpha Delta Pi member, said she thinks the greek community might have a fear of homosexuality because the members might not know anyone who is gay.\n"If speakers come and talk to them, I think the fraternities and the sororities could be very receptive to their message," she said.\nSarah Savino, a sophomore, said she was encouraged by Thompson's optimism. Savino came out to her all-female residence hall and the response was positive.\n"I am not the stereotypical girl, and I don't like people thinking I'm straight when I'm not," Savino said. "It would be interesting to go through rush and see how girls would react to me."\nAssociate Director of Student Activities for Greek Affairs Stan Sweeney said the greek community is moving in a positive direction. This year, they have been responsible for starting a program called Pillar. It is a support group for greek members who are gay, lesbian or bisexual.\n"Creating more awareness is key," Sweeney said.\nClick For excerpts from the book "Out on Fraternity Row"
(10/02/00 5:23am)
Phi Mu sorority celebrated its 80th anniversary of the Delta Alpha chapter of IU at the chapter's house at 1442 N. Jordan Ave. Saturday afternoon. The festivities included an open house for students, faculty and members and a special initiation ceremony. \nJoanna Shalin, a senior and 80th anniversary chairperson, said the celebration plays an important role in the lives of the members.\n"It is a great way of uniting everyone," Shalin said. "To hear the stories of how IU was like in the '50s is a lot of fun."\nOne of the highlights of the anniversary was the initiation of former house mom Norma Jo Cooley. She served the Phi Mu house from 1992 until the spring of 2000.\n"She's done so much for us, and it be a nice way to honor her since she is no longer our house mom," Shalin said.\nCooley went through formal initiation Saturday night. \nDuring the open house, current Phi Mu members set up stations throughout the house offering information about the events they take part in. One of those activities is the upcoming philanthropy event "Phi Mu Chili Cook Off" which will take place during the Homecoming game. \nFor $5, participants can taste three types of chili. Greek members have an opportunity to enter in a drawing for the top prize. Senior and philanthropy chair Holly Miller said proceeds will go towards Riley Hospital for Children.\n"Just the fact we make a lot of money from these events is great -- it's helping kids," Miller said.\nPhi Mu members also shared their scholarship achievements with the attendees. For the past two semesters, the sorority has had the top GPA in the Panhellenic Association. Their GPA for spring 2000 was 3.3.\nBeth Myer, class of 1947 and Phi Mu alumna, said the organization is proud of the achievements of the active Phi Mu members.\n"They are top quality of women, so very talented and dedicated to doing things for other people," Myer said. "We are so proud of them."\nMyer said the anniversary is exciting for Phi Mu alumnae because of the opportunity to see and meet past and current members.\nTo remember its members, Phi Mu is selling bricks engraved with their names. The bricks create a walkway in the backyard. \n"It will be fun to come back to the house for the 100-year anniversary and show the house and the bricks to our families," Shalin said.
(09/29/00 5:53pm)
Some say it's done for tradition. Some say it's for fun. Others think it's pointless. \nStill, each year around Homecoming many greek houses take part in serenades. Wednesday night, several sororities and fraternities took turns singing, dancing and performing skits for each other. \nAlthough not a national greek system tradition, each school and chapter makes the decision to take part in serenades. IU greek chapters have an opportunity to participate in the event twice a year, during Homecoming and Little 500. The purpose of serenades is for the houses to get to know each other so they can choose pairs for the event. \nEach house can serenade up to four houses. Afterward, houses rank who they want to pair with for Homecoming.\nJohn Perry, a senior and president of InterFraternity Council, said 11 fraternities and one sorority could not take part in serenades or homecoming activities this year due to probation, rush violations or academic issues.\nJennifer Teipen, a senior and vice president of membership development for the Panhellenic Association, said the system had problems with the dances and the performances being inappropriate in the past. She said this year they encouraged their members not to perform lap dances.\n"It's up to individual chapters to do lap dances," Teipen said. "Panhel encourages them to portray themselves in a positive way this year." \nTeipen said PHA would deal with any reported inappropriate behavior.\n"If they didn't want to perform it in front of their house mom, then it wouldn't be appropriate."\nSerenades at Sigma Nu fraternity, 1015 N. Jordan Ave., had a party-like atmosphere. Many people were talking and dancing to popular songs, but quickly cleared the floor when it was time to begin. Several fraternity members went on stage to sing love ballads to the members of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. \nSophomore Chris Graebe, a Sigma Nu member, performed a solo for the women. He said he takes his performance seriously.\n"This is what I want to do for a living -- be a performer," Graebe said. "It's a fun thing for the house, but I'm filming this to send out to record labels."\nAfter the men's performance, the women went on stage to perform a fast dance number followed by a slower one.\nSophomore Ali Gardner, an Alpha Chi Omega member, said serenades provide great entertainment for those involved.\n"I\'m having a great time, it's wonderful and in good fun," Gardner said. "We tried keeping our performance clean."\nBut Stan Sweeney, associate director of student activities for greek affairs, said serenades don't have value for the greek system.\n"From what I have seen in the past, it wasn't positive," Sweeney said. "I've seen people put themselves in compromising situations just to get picked. (Serenades) should be light-hearted events -- nothing to degrade yourself as a woman."\nSweeney said the system is moving in a positive direction by trying to implement random pairing in the future years.\nMelissa Weir, a senior and president of Delta Delta Delta sorority, said they decided not to participate in serenades this year.\n"It brings out competition. What's the use?" Weir said. "There is no purpose behind it; the dances get out of hand"
(09/15/00 3:36am)
A white limousine pulled up to the house and Playboy playmate Tiffany Taylor, Miss November 1998, walked in. She smiled shyly as fraternity members greeted her.\nThe fraternity arranged the event as one of its rush activities. \n"There is no better way to meet the guys, but to sit down and have dinner with them," said Nick Mcleland, junior and rush chair. "Tiffany is here for the Playboy golf tournament. She\'s trying to promote herself, and we thought it was a good dinner gig."\nThe Delts had a formal dinner with Taylor along with their rushees. At the end of the night Taylor thanked the members for having her and took pictures with them. Senior fraternity members received an autographed picture.\nThe members agreed to donate five dollars for each picture Taylor signed. \n"The house is doubling the amount, and we will donate over $100 to a soup kitchen. We want to give something back to the community," said Matt Glasser, junior and treasurer of Delts.\nTaylor, a junior at University of Maryland said she was happy to be in Bloomington promoting the event.\n"The Delts seem to be unified as a fraternity and have a good spirit. They were very well behaved," Taylor said. "I am very happy to be here, I party with the Delts at school."\nAs a part of a resolution that was passed last spring, fraternities can no longer have alcohol-sponsored events. The celebrity dinner was one of their nonalcoholic events for rush. \nA lot of members are not happy with the new policy.\n"It\'s depleting our greek system...," Mcleland said. "It\'s hindering rush, and it won\'t let us do rush like it has been done for 100 years. Like Bob Knight said, times change and so do people."\nBut Frank Miller, public relations for Delts and a junior said the new policy is not hindering the rush process.\n"It\'s just hard on the living situation, it\'s like living in a dorm again," Miller said. "It doesn't affect the fun and the brotherhood, but it restricts personal freedom."\nRyan Evans, a freshman and a rushee said the policy is not coming in the way of their good time.\n"I think it\'s great, it shows we can have a good time without the alcohol," he said. "You see all the crazy guys still, just without the alcohol."\nTaylor is in town for the Playboy Scramble, a national golf tournament hosted by local radio station B-97.\nBloomington\'s Eagle Point golf course was chosen as one of the sites for the event. Winners of the regional tournament move on to nationals, which are held at the Playboy mansion. The event is held to raise money for Athletes and Entertainers for Kids. \nChuck Bolanis, the promotion director for B-97 said the event would not be complete without having a playmate. \n"This event is tasteful and is done with a lot of class," Bolanis said. "It\'s a great sport benefiting the community. There are no bunnies, and the dress is conservative. It's a first grade event, and we didn't feel it was detrimental to the image of B-97."\nTaylor visited Nick's English Hut, 423 E. Kirkwood Ave., and Kilroy\'s Sports, 319 N. Walnut Ave., Wednesday night to sign autographs. \n"We came to the Delts as a favor for my friend Ryan Hagan," Bolanis said. "Delts were the most cooperative. They were a class act and they did everything we asked them to do"
(09/14/00 6:04am)
The news of a pregnancy can be the joy of one woman, or the crisis of another. In the United States one million teenagers become pregnant each year. Indiana accounts for 12,000 of them. \nAn expectant mother has three options. She can have her baby and choose to be a parent, carry the baby to term and give it up for adoption or terminate her pregnancy. When a teenage girl chooses to have a baby, she might face pressure from her family and friends. \nThe woman might be facing a crisis pregnancy and does not know where to turn for help. Hannah House is the place for answers, hope, love and education for many women who are experiencing crises pregnancies.\nSix years ago the Crises Pregnancy Center of Bloomington saw a need in the community for a maternity home for young women, said Myra Kinser, executive director of Hannah's House. The center conducted a needs assessment survey. The surveys were sent out to various communities to find out the level of need for a maternity home. Kinser said it was important for them to attain the community's support.\n"The results from the needs assessment were overwhelming," Kinser said. "People were very positive, and it gave us the green light."\nIn 1996 the center bought the old William Lowe Bryan house, and started renovating it in 1997. Hannah House opened its doors Aug. 30. Kinser said volunteers did the majority of the renovation on the house. Various businesses and community members in Bloomington donated their time and money to the project. \n"Everyone has dropped their differences to come and work," Kinser said, smiling. "People from all walks of life have walked through this house. This is a choice for women."\nHannah House, 812 N. College Ave, is an old spacious Victorian house, which at one time belonged to IU's President William Bryan Lowe. Kinser said it is named after Hannah from the Bible. \n"Hannah is the story of a mother who couldn't have a child," she said. "After praying to God, she tells him that if she becomes pregnant she will dedicate her child to him."\nHannah House is a Christian Pro-Life organization, but the residents do not need to be Christian to take advantage of the services.\n"People need to see that it's a choice. If she terminates her pregnancy we are still going to be there for her," Kinser said. "We don't use gruesome videos, we educate women about prenatal education."\nTwo young women live in the house, and Kinser said she hopes the house will soon be full. The house can accommodate up to 10 residents. The women who want to live in the house will go through an interview process, but Kinser said it's first-come, first-serve.\n"There are different levels of need, so we look at that," Kinser said. "We look to see if the needs of the girl matches what the house has to offer. If Hannah House is not the right for them, we will find them another place."\nThe residents can live in the house throughout their pregnancy and up to three months after they give birth. Room and board is free, and the only requirement is the residents have to take classes offered by the Crises Pregnancy Center. \n"There are a lot of life classes such as prenatal care, parenting, nutrition and cooking," Kinser said. "We also want the girls to pursue their education ' that's vital."\nKinser said the organization will continue to be in the lives of the women after their stay at Hannah House. There is a two-year case management program if the women still need them.\nHannah House Director Tina Tuley said the goal of the program is for the girls to develop the life skills to support themselves.\n"It's a comprehensive treatment program to meet their physical and emotional needs," she said. \nTuley said education is necessary in crisis pregnancy situations. The center will also be starting an outreach program for children.\n"If we can reach the kids when they are younger, maybe they won't need us when they are older," Tuley said.\nAccording to statistics compiled by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, preliminary data for 1999 shows a 20 percent decline in teen birth rates between 1991 and 1999. But the U.S. teen birth rate remains higher than the rates in other industrialized democracies. \nBill Albert, communications director of the campaign, works closely with the entertainment media.\n"There is a lot of crap and junk in magazines," Albert said. "There is a lot of work to do, but there is a growing recognition amongst writers and editors that sex for teenagers has consequences. It's a long battle but you have to start somewhere." \nAlbert said the reason for decline in teen births is due to less sex and more use of contraceptives. He said many teens are more cautious about casual sex because of the fear of contracting AIDS and other STDs.\nKinser also said he believes teen births are on the decline because sex is a health issue.\n"There are 55 diseases out there, and one of them can kill you," she said. "I think these girls are looking for love in the wrong places. They need nurturing and to know their life can be different. Maybe all they know is someone screaming and belittling them"
(09/06/00 5:43am)
Loud music, dancing and beer in the hands of underage students are the essence of a college party, as many know. But this will no longer be true of fraternity parties. This year, the greek system is adopting the Responsible Alcohol Management Program in hopes of eliminating underage drinking at fraternity functions.\nLast year, the Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council both passed resolutions stating fraternities and sororities will no longer play host to parties with alcohol unless it is at a University approved third-party vendor site.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said the administration worked closely with IFC and Panhellenic to find other alternatives for social functions. The result was the development of RAMP.\nThe greek division received a grant from the IU Student Foundation a grant to hire Bill Aggleston, a consultant who founded and organized third-party vendor sites where the greek houses can hold parties. \nAggleston is an IU alumnus and a longtime Bloomington resident. Assistant Dean of Students Jim Gibson said Aggleston's restaurant management knowledge is a key to the success of the program. Aggleston is also affiliated with the greek system and has served as a house director for the past eight years.\nThird-party vendor sites are only one element of RAMP. The program includes a manual, which outlines information on vendor information, bus services, alcohol education programs, security and crises management plans. McKaig said he is optimistic about the program.\n"I'm very hopeful it's going to work. I'm very encouraged by fraternity leaders taking initiative in their leadership," McKaig said. "This program will provide a safer and more enjoyable situations for fraternities and sororities."\nIn addition to RAMP, there will also be close supervision of chapters and more consistent enforcement of alcohol policies. All fraternities are required to register their social events with IFC. Fraternities can still have parties, but they can't have alcohol.\n"This is the most aggressive proactive work the University has done to address the problem in the past 10 years I have been here," Gibson said. "In the past we didn't have the resources to have a program like this. Not only are we aggressive, but Bill works in enforcing the policy with the support of the IUPD."\nAggleston will be out nightly between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m., making stops at the fraternities who are having registered social functions and at houses that seem to be having an activity. Each night, he will also make stops at a certain percentage of fraternity houses even if they are not having a party.\nGreek Adviser Stan Sweeney said the feedback for RAMP seems positive, but the success of the program is dependent on the students. He said the goal is for the greek community to focus on the values they were founded upon.\n"We are a social organization, and there is nothing wrong with that, but we are about a lot of other things too," Sweeney said.\n Sweeney said the organization wanted to promote responsible alcohol drinking by eliminating underage drinking from fraternity parties.\n "One of the goals was to move (parties) to appropriate venues that could accommodate these functions (and) who are licensed to serve alcohol," Sweeney said.\n Twenty-five businesses have agreed to be third-party vendors and the administration is hoping more will agree in time. Sweeney said some businesses are skeptical and are waiting to see how it will work out.\nNick's English Hut, 423 E. Kirkwood Avenue, is listed in the RAMP manual as one of the third-party vendor sites. But General Manager Rex Barnes said he had never agreed to be one.\n"Nick's is probably not going to be a vendor," Barnes said. "I am afraid there is too much liability involved. For example, if an older fraternity brother buys beer and gives it to his younger brother, we will be responsible for the liability. I never agreed to be a third-party vendor, and I didn't realize that someone had put us down as one."\nMax Wildman, the general manager of the Gables, 114 S. Indiana Avenue, said he is supportive of this program. Gables has a reputation for hosting parties for the greek community for many years.\n"Regardless of this program, fraternities and sororities have always had parties here," Wildman said. "It takes the responsibilities off the hands of the leaders. We've always done parties for them anyway."\nStudents have a mixed reaction about the new program. Junior Matt Grassman, IFC vice president of education, said many students see the program as positive.\n"I don't think anyone will deactivate because of this program, but I can possibly see more live outs, and less number of students in the houses," Grassman said. "I'm sure the numbers will pick up in a couple years, but again maybe no one will move out, it's just my speculation."\nMen's fraternity rush is already under way, and Gibson said if the only reason students want to be in a house is so they can party, he discourages them from rushing.\n"Hopefully the trouble people won't go greek," Gibson said. "The houses are promoting themselves as a more responsible users of alcohol, and there is a serious market for students who want to be a part of that."\nAlthough the program eliminates alcohol from fraternities, senior M. Scott Witoszynski, of Delta Tau Delta, said it shifts the problem.\n"It moves the problem from one location to another," he said. "If it were that easy to eliminate the problem it would have been done a long time ago."\nMcKaig said the University is not directly involved with off-campus parties, but the Bloomington police department started a new program called the Quiet Nights Program to monitor off-campus social activities.\nRob Cheris, a sophomore in a Theta Chi, said although the new program may work, fraternity parties will no longer be popular.\n"If people are going to drink they will," said Cheris. "Fraternities provide a safe haven for people to drink by eliminating drinking and driving for the most part. College is the best four years of your life. They are hurting Indiana's reputation as being a fun school where people also excel academically"
(09/06/00 5:42am)
The members of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity moved out of their house Tuesday. A week ago, they had received an unexpected eviction notice from their national headquarters. The fraternity was in the reinstatement process when they received the eviction notice. Alpha Sigma Phi will be going through reorganization, and the current members will be given alumni status.\nIU administrators told the men they can move into university housing if they so chose. But senior Aaron Del Mar, a fraternity member said majority of the men moved in with older fraternity brothers who were live-outs from the previous year.\n"When you are a junior or senior, you do not want to live at the dorms. It's just like having a baby-sitter," Del Mar said.\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said he was under the impression all the men had relocated because no one approached him about housing problems.\n"Right now, we do not have room in the dorms, but if the men wanted university housing, we could have moved them into university apartments that are reserved for upper classmen," he said.\nTeresa Price, manager of assignments for Residential Programming Services, said they do not know if any of the members opted for university housing.
(08/30/00 5:50am)
At 3 p.m. Tuesday, members of Alpha Sigma Phi gathered in their house for a meeting with Assistant Dean of Students Jim Gibson and IU Alpha Sig Corporation Board President Steve Pitts. \nThey thought the meeting was about rush. Instead, members received an eviction notice, effective Sept. 6. \n"When they gave us the news, jaws dropped around the room," said Alpha Sig vice president and senior Brian Barnett. "Everyone handles things differently. Some guys were angry and shouting, while others were sad and crying. It was very sad and emotional."\nA press release from John Gibson, national president for Alpha Sigma Phi, announced today that a member of the national corporation board will come to IU to conduct formal rush this fall. The chapter will be returning to IU's campus this fall under a total reorganization, complete with an entirely new roster of members.\nSenior Kevin Gfell, vice president of rush for Interfraternity Council, said current members will be given alumni status and will be barred from participating in on-campus chapter events, although they have full membership rights on the national level.\n"The nationals are dissatisfied with the current members, so they are starting with a fresh house of guys," Gfell said. "They want to get rid of any negative influences."\nJohn Perry, a senior and IFC president, said the council supports the national headquarters' decision and is willing to help with recruitment efforts.\nLast fall the house was put on suspension for repeated alcohol violations. Barnett said the nationals gave the current members guidelines to follow in their efforts to be reinstated on campus. One of the guidelines was to be a substance-free house.\nAlpha Sig violated this guideline Aug. 21 when it had an event with alcohol.\n"It was a small event, and there were freshmen over at the house," Barnett said. "There was some alcohol involved. It was reported to the dean by an outside party."\nIt was the national organization's decision to evict the current members from the house. \n"We are not clear on the reasons for the eviction," Barnett said. "I believe it had to do with the event we had, but also I think it had to do with financial reasons. We were under pressure to rush a large number of guys to the house so we could afford to still live here."\nAlpha Sig members said the fraternity had many miscommunication problems with the national organization concerning the efforts for reinstatement. \n"With our chapter being revoked we can place the blame on nationals, but our chapter didn't help the situation by breaking the rules," Barnett said. "There could have been things done on our part and nationals' part to work things out. We could have been more responsible with communication, but they could have done the same thing."\nJunior John Martorana, president of Alpha Sigma Phi, said the house was surprised and confused by the action taken by nationals. \n"We are extremely disappointed with our national organization, our alums and Dean Gibson," Martorana said. "We thought they were willing to work with us, however, the nationals pulled the carpet beneath us at the last minute by revoking our chapter."\nSophomore Matt Himsel, also a member of the house, echoed Martorana's frustration.\n"We thought we could get 100 percent support from the University and nationals, but we didn't find it at nationals. They decided to go elsewhere to find brotherhood," he said.\nBarnett said he felt Dean Gibson was helpful answering questions.\n"(Dean) Gibson and Pitts were both very helpful answering questions, and they were both emotional. They were sad to let us go."\nDean of Students Richard McKaig said he is also sad to see the chapter go.\n"I am a supporter of the greek system," McKaig said. "Alcohol is a serious violation, and today nationals are closing down chapters when they do not meet their requirements."\nMcKaig said the University will help find University housing for the members who have been evicted.\n"We are deeply upset, but we do have a positive light to look at," Barnett said. "We are still brothers and we will be always brothers"
(08/29/00 5:39am)
Alpha Sigma Phi will likely be back on campus this fall after its Nov. 3, 1999 suspension for repeated alcohol violations, Dean of Students Richard McKaig said Monday night.\nMeanwhile, junior Kevin Gfell, vice president of rush for the Interfraternity Council, said Monday night he had been told the fraternity will not be allowed to participate in formal rush. \nHe said greek advisers told him the Alpha Sigma Phi national organization will tell IU's chapter today it will not be allowed to participate in formal rush Sept. 1.\n"They are included in our rush books and in our correspondent information," Gfell said. "It's a decision from their national chapter (not to let them participate)."\nThe fraternity will have to wait to be recognized by nationals until IU and the national chapter can agree Alpha Sig has fulfilled formal reinstatement requirements, said John Gibson, national president of Alpha Sigma Phi.\nMcKaig said the fraternity should be back on campus this fall once the requirements are fulfilled. \n"There is a time period for which they are suspended for," McKaig said. "After that they have a right to request to be back. Nationals also review their membership."\nMcKaig's office conditionally agreed to reinstate the fraternity if all the requirements are completed by Sept. 15.\nMcKaig said the request for reinstatement has been received, but there are formalities and conditions he could not specify that have not been finalized. \nSophomore John Martorana, president of Alpha Sigma Phi, said he is confident the fraternity will meet the deadline. \n"The minor requirements were easy, and there is no way we won't meet them," he said.\nMartorana said one of those requirements is having a live-in adviser who will be appointed by Alpha Sig's corporate board and move into the house by October.\nSince its suspension, Alpha Sig has decided to be an alcohol-free house, with all of the current members signing contracts agreeing to this living arrangement.\n"A lot of members chose to deactivate because they didn't want to live in a substance free environment, but the ones that stayed are committed to the policy," Martorana said.\nThere are 50 members in the fraternity, and Martorana said the house is looking to recruit a pledge class of about 40 men when the house is reinstated.\n"We want to change our stereotype, and we are recruiting brothers who are well-rounded people, and we are not hiding the fact we are a substance-free house," Martorana said.\nSome prospective rushees said they feel more at ease about rush after knowing about Alpha Sig's policy.\n"If you were rushing this house it would be good because they wouldn't haze and make you drink," said freshman Kyle Harvey. "I heard stories where fraternities make you drink to the point you are sick, more than the amount you want to drink."\nHarvey's brother Kent, also a freshman, said he agreed.\n"It wouldn't be as intimidating to rush there because there would be less pressure," he said.\nAccording to an IFC alcohol resolution passed April 28, all fraternity functions are required to be alcohol-free unless otherwise approved by the University. \nMartorana said following the guidelines is the fraternity's goal.\n"We want to become the most improved chapter on campus as well as our nationals," he said. "We want to keep violations away"