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Show "'· - THE UNIVERSITY JOURNAL· SOUTHERN UTAH UNIVERSITY· THURSDAY, . SEPTEMBER 3, 1998 ]F(O)(C[J§g <G~ IB.1IJ§IHJ O ~ Greek fraternities and sororities sho"" their colors By LISA DAWN PERRY JOURNAL STAFF WRJTER Rush Week has hit the campus of SUU with full force. Various Greek organizations arc vying for the attention of students-potential pledges-hoping that they wiJI join their respective groups. Each Greek organization has a unique background, and different personality. The following profile gives a general synopsis of the different Greek organizations present at SUll. AJphaPhl Alpha Phi was founded in 1872 at Syracuse University, in Syracuse, New York, co provide a social and academic support group for women. Senior Denise Dalley, vice president of membership development for Alpha Phi, saic.l that the sorority encompasses many dilferent aspects, ranging from the needs of its sisters to community philanthropic work. "We believe in "the four Ss": Sisterhood, scholarship, service and social," said Dalley. The communication major said that sisterhood is reflected ..., in their organization ~ through the bone.ling, 5 :rnd closeness ~ surrounding rnsh week ~ ~ and other sorority u activities. >Dalley, a Bounciflll, ::1 Utah, native, said that ~ ..... ,. the sorority was established on a base of high principles. "The common stereotypical view of sororities docs not apply co Alpha Phi. We do not tolerate any form of hazing, inebriation or mean spiritedness within our sorority," she said. "In addition to sisterhood, scholastics, the second "s," is a priority for Alpha Phi members, " said Rush Chair Cherilyn Snow. "We have the highest GPA out of all the Greeks on campus," the senior art major added. The sorority's philanthropic project is the Alpha Phi Foundation for Women's Cardiac Care. Dalley said that Alpha Phi has many fund raisers planned including the third annual Alpha Phi-esta Week, scheduled for February. "This is a really fun week. We have bands, a lip-sync contest, a Mr. Alpha Phi-esta pageant , and a service auction. All of tl1e money we earn is donated to the foundation ," Dalley added. The sorority also participates in other forms of community service throughout the year. Snow said that ocher service projectS include a closet clean-out for the Women's Crisis Center, the St. Jude's Bike·a·thon, and the Multiple Sclerosis Walk. According to Dalley, the fourth "s," social, is the most misunderstood aspect of the sorority. She said that the social ... bonds created within the sorority come because of the interplay between the other three "Ss." "Alpha ?hi sisters are f1.111 girls who know when to be serious." Dalley concluded. Zeta Tau Alpha Founded at Longwood College in FamwiJle, Virg., in 1898, Zeta Tau Alpha espouses a creed focused on service, love, and honesty. "Our creed is beami.ful. It's really complete, " said junior Emee Drews, rush chair for Zeta Tau Alpha. Zeta Tau Alpha sponsors the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Beck-y enhance students college experience. women on campus could feel "We all experience the same things. A comfortable.in. fraternity gives the student an Delta Psi Omega's creed focuses on respecting the environment, embracing ' opportunity to see things through other people's eyes," he said. diversity, and encouraging integrity. Sigma Chi's philanthropic Reese, a marine biology major, said that the sorority tries to exemplify their creed organizations are the Children's Miracle Network and the Make a Wish through community service. She said Foundation. Peterson explained that the that for every social activity the sorority proceeds from fund raisers are donated sponsors, tJ1ey also sponsor a service to these two charities. activity. American Fork, Utah, resident, Facing the negative stereotypes Peterson , said that rhe one thing that surrounding Greek organi1~1tions, Delta Psi Omega president Kasey Faircloth said makes Sigma Chi unique is the diversity among its members. He said that the that girls need co come out and variety of backgrounds and upbringing experience rush week before passing judgment. She said that the sorority gave allows Sigma Chi's brothers to be able co see and understand experiences in different ways. Sigma Nu Sigma Nu was founded in 1869 at Virginia Military Institute, in Lexington, Virg. President Francisco "Chuc·· Machuca, senior, said that the fraternity was formed on the principle of honor. The biology major said, "Honor is everything. If you don't have honor. you are not a person. The best compliment you can receive is that you are an honorable person." Rush Chair Ro,gelio Machuca explained that Sigma Nu supports the Canyon Creek Women's Crisis Center. The fraternity sponsors ,1,~~~~~~~~~~~~Fl~~~~[~LtE:!::!lt!:~~JiiJ adisco haunted house, a dance and an ii annual Cedar City Easter egg hunt each year. Rogelio Machuca, her inclusion and accepted her without a junior biology major, said that the Beiler, chapter representative from the proceeds generated from the fund bias. Beta Tau Chapter at New Mexico State, Delta Psi Omega sponsors C.1mp Good raising activities are donated to the crisis said that their philanthropy reflected the center. The L-is Vegas, Nev., native and Days and Special Times, a camp for sorority's desire to reach out to women terminally ill children. Reese said that the rush chairman added that in addition to suffering from breast cancer. "We all fund raising, the fraternity brothers also sorority eams money for itS charity know someone, a sister, a mother, an during Delta Psi week, held in October. do repairs for the center on a weekly aunt, a friend, who has had breast basis. cancer. We feel it is our privilege to help In addjtion to Camp Good Days and Fraternity brother Parker Boone, a Special Times, the sorority also serves educate women about the disease and the local care and share, the cancer walk sophomore from Lake Forrest, Calif., said contribute toward research for a cure," and rakes leaves for senior citizens. "We that the one thing that setS Sigma Nu Beiler added. apart from the other fraternities is its do whatever needs to be done," said Drews, a communication major from tight brotherhood and diversity. Boone, a English major Faircloth. Salt L'lke City, said that the one thing business major, also said that Sigma Nu that sets Zeta Tau Alpha apart from the helps the brothers develop leadership other sororities is its diversity. She said Sigma Chi skills through a four·phase leadership Sigma Chi was founded in 1855 at that they are all as tightly knit as sisters, program designed by Sigma Nu alumni Miami University, in Oxford, Ohio. The and that each sister has her own distinct and by providing leadership experience. fraternity espouses the virtues declared personality. She added that Zeta Tau Rogelio added, "Sigma Nu enabled me to by founding brother Isaac M. Jordan. Alpha has sisters involved in all aspects receive leadership skills. They had faith Jordan said that no man would be of campus life. in me, they believed that I could be a admitted to the membership of the fraternity who was not believed to be: "A leader, and provided the opportunity for Delta Psi Omega me to prove myself.· man of good character; a student of fair Local chapter, Delta Psi Upsilon, is not "Chuc" said that the common problem ability; (a student) with ambitious a nationally affiliated sorority. Delta Psi facing all fraternities is the negative purposes; a congenial disposition; Omega was founded in 1993 when stereotypes commonly associated with possessed of good morals; having a high founding mother, Jeni Millar, decided the Greek organizations. He sai<;J that the sense of honor; and a deep sense of that there was a need for a more diverse fraternity is trying to overcome this personal responsibility. " organization on campus. According to stereotype by emphasizing that its Sigma Chi Consul Todd Peterson said Kellie Reese, rush chair from Brigham members are alcohol free, and focusing that the fraternity is focused on self· City, Millar was not happy with the way on philanthropy. "Our service will improvement. The senior biology major she was treated by the other sororities overcome the stereotypes," he said. and decided to organize a sorority that all s:.id that Sigma Chi is designed co |