First, a straight news story:
On a campus where social fraternities are prohibited and banned from receiving University funding, the impending formation of a Sigma Phi Epsilon chapter is momentous. Since mid-January, national recruiters have been visiting Georgetown's Lauinger Memorial Library, advertising their organization's ethical premises and social benefits and interviewing potential Founding Fathers. The chapter has 31 members as of publication.
Sig Ep is the largest nationwide fraternity, boasting more than 240 university chapters, over 14,000 current members and upwards of 175,000 living alumni. According to Director of New Chapter Development Dennis Kaps, he and fellow recruiter Jason Cherish decided to target Georgetown students because of their academic excellence and campus leadership.
"We look for guys with a solid commitment to academics who are leaders on campus and who might be interested in starting new organizations," Kaps said
[...]
Assistant Director of Student Programs Kristan Cilente confirmed that the chapter will not be acknowledged by the University.
"Social fraternities and sororities do not have access to benefits at Georgetown University," she said. "The University has many open and inclusive organizations, and a rich and vibrant campus community, which provides many opportunities for student involvement without the need for a Greek system."
[...]
Keith Tabatznik, Head Men's Soccer Coach, stated that he saw a parallel between Sig Ep and Georgetown's Jesuit values. "I see a great potential for a real positive addition to the Georgetown experience for those who become members of the Sig Ep fraternity," he said. "Its mission is true to the same goals of Georgetown and the Jesuit philosophy towards educating the mind and body."
Sigma Phi Epsilon to reach Georgetown - Georgetown Voice - News
And now, the editorial comment. Don't hold back. Let us know how you really feel:
Don't let the door hit you on your way out
All around campus, the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity's national recruiters are carrying flyers, pamphlets and applications, offering them to anyone interested in joining. The largest nationally recognized fraternity is coming to Georgetown-let's hope it doesn't stay.
[...]
Sigma Phi Epsilon already has 14,000 members and 264 chapters and vast financial resources. Due to its size, SigEp is susceptible to oversights that invite trouble upon the fraternity and their universities. The fraternity's chapter at the University of Florida is facing sanctions after an unregistered "pre-party" last semester. Underage drinking was involved and a 17 year-old girl claimed to have been sexually assaulted, according to the Independent Florida Alligator.
Last December, the chapter at North Carolina State University in Raleigh was banned until fall 2005. The explanation for the action, Raleigh's News and Observer reported, was that the fraternity's pledges were forced to run naked in and out of the school's other fraternity and sorority houses.
[...]
Besides harming the campus, a frat will hurt our local community. Off-Campus students already receive noise complaints and police visits to their parties. If a noisy frat house is established in Georgetown, town-gown relations would only deteriorate further, making it even more difficult for the University as a whole to accomplish its aims. Why invite this upon ourselves?
[...]
... A new fraternity at Georgetown, not to mention the largest in the country, is not a positive development. Students should oppose the opening of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and pass up the opportunity to join, in the interest of ensuring the independence and safety of the Georgetown community.
Don't let the door hit you on your way out
Ouch! The sins of the Floridians and North Carolinians DO reverberate beyond campus borders.
