The Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity
SIGMA PHI EPSILON HELPS KATRINA EVACUEE...BEING A BROTHER'S BROTHER
SigEp has assisted the Katrina evacuees directly in Houston. The Texas Delta Chapter (www.uhsigep.com) was requested by Houston Mayor Bill White to assist with setting up a relief shelter at the George R Brown Convention Center (The GRB) in Houston. Several members of the chapter responded with alumnus Bill Kelly to provide hours of hard labor to families bused in from New Orleans on yellow school buses after having endured three days without adequate food, water, or sanitary conditions at the Superdome and the NOLA Convention Center. The chapter repeated its' efforts more than once, by returning in small groups and individually to help out these citizens of the place so many of us go "to party".
From the Texas Delta webpage...'''
TX Delta Helps out.
With the evacuees from Hurricane Katrina, by volunteering at local organizations, and opening their homes to families who have lost everything becuase of this tragic incident. Bayou Oaks, Campus Activities, and others in the campus community approached various members of the SigEp family both alumni and undergrad about the possiblity of using bed space in the SigEp house for hurricane Katrina students.
The university presented us with a benefits package, and told us about the students and there situation, and after a deliberation we determined it would be the right thing to do and volenteered to house the students.
HOUSTON -- NEWS "Evacuees arrived at the George R. Brown Convention Center late Friday after it was opened as a temporary shelter for thousands of evacuees from New Orleans", Local 2 (NBC affiliate) news reported.
"Several public buildings were pressed into service when the Astrodome filled to capacity with more than 15,000 evacuees. In addition to the Houston Astrodome, Reliant Center and Reliant Arena are being used to house evacuees at Reliant Park."
"Among 24,950 Hurricane Katrina evacuees housed on the Reliant Center grounds and the George R. Brown Convention Center."
One member of the Texas Delta Chapter, Brother Sgt. Thomas L Kirby, is a member of the US Army National Guard stationed at Ellington Field in Houston. Brother Kirby spent ten days assisting elderly and critical care patients flown to Ellington from the New Orleans International Airport for treatment in Houston area hospitals. The week Brother Kirby was released from duty to return to his 15 hour class schedule and part time job with Chili's Restaurant Corp, he was told he could expect to be re-deployed locally to assist with recovery efforts from the soon to arrive Hurricane Rita (CAT 5). Kirby was very appreciative to members of the Texas Delta AVC who assisted with his academic load. Brother Don Heard, Chapter Counselor, contacted each of Tommy's professors, explained his situation, and requested they work with his situation. He was able to report back to Brother Kirby that each of them were very appreciative of his committment and would work with him to ensure he does not get penalized. Fraternity Brothers Hit Hard in Louisiana
Hurricane Katrina Hits SigEp; Undergraduates Safely Evacuated
As Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of Mississippi on Monday, many SigEp undergraduates and alumni prepared for the storm. SigEp District Governors Gary Huff and Daniel McVeigh are coordinating hospitality in Dallas for at least some evacuated Louisiana brothers. Brothers from Southen Methodist Univeristy (Texas Upsilon, Texas Christian University (Texas Gamma), and the University of Houston (Texas Delta) offered housing to displaced students' for both short term and long term if they were enrolling at their respective universities.
Initial reports show that the Louisiana Alpha and Louisiana Gamma Chapters located in New Orleans at Tulane University and Loyola University, respectively, evacuated the city prior to the hurricane with the exception of two undergraduate brothers who have since been accounted for and are evacuating. There are no reports yet as to the status of the chapter house at Loyola University, although news reports indicate possible extensive damage and flooding. Louisiana Beta at Louisiana State University reports that the brothers and the chapter house are safe—although sustained a lightening strike that may have damaged appliances.
Mississippi Alpha and Mississippi Beta Chapters at the University of Mississippi and Mississippi State University, respectively, are safe and report minor damage to their houses and campuses.
Brother Huff reports no damage to the Mississippi Gamma Chapter at the University of Southern Mississippi, located 70 miles north of the Gulf Coast in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Any brothers with information to report should email news@sigep.net. All brothers are encouraged to keep those affected by Hurricane Katrina in their thoughts and prayers HOW CAN YOU HELP ?'
Money is still needed for Katrina Relief. Donate to known, established charities...You should not give to persons collecting on the roadside or in front of a store in the name of a charity. Give online, mailing a check, or calling their office with your donation.
Brother Barry Manilow, managed by Brother Gary Kief, is tripling money donated through his webpage. [1] (http://www.manilowfund.org)
www.redcross.org
www.bushclintonkatrinafund.org
September 2, 2005
TO: Sigma Phi Epsilon Brothers and Friends
FROM: Craig D. Templeton, Executive Director
Re: Sigma Phi Epsilon Hurricane Katrina relief efforts
Last year, some of our Florida chapters got hit twice with devastating hurricanes. We thought that hurricane season tested our ability to maintain a sense of normalcy and concentration on school for the students in our chapters there. That was nothing like the havoc Hurricane Katrina has wrought on the Tulane and Loyola university campuses. The Fraternity experience can play a vital role for our brothers from those campuses to keep their college and career plans on track.
At this time, our attention turns to the relief effort and the displacement of our undergraduates and alumni. The Headquarters staff is working with local and district volunteers to provide support services to those affected by this tragedy.
Our New Orleans chapters, through the assistance of District Governor Gary L. Huff, Central Arkansas '91, have been able to confirm that all members of SigEp undergraduate chapters are accounted for and many are moving forward swiftly with alternate plans for the fall semester. Chapters in Texas and less affected areas of Mississippi and Alabama have opened their homes as refuge for our brothers.
Our reports from the Tulane and Loyola campuses indicate only minor actual damages to campus facilities, and both are on high ground presently. The universities have been able to secure campus facilities and have hired private security to secure student's personal belongings. The University of Southern Mississippi campus in Hattiesburg continues to be without power and water, though the university itself escaped serious damage.
At this time Loyola and Tulane Universities are working to establish exchange programs with other colleges and universities. We are presently offering assistance to undergraduates who are transferring to other schools. The chapters on those campuses have a unique opportunity to swing open the red door to assist their displaced brothers in acclimating to their new school and affiliating with the SigEp chapters on those campuses. In some cases, the displaced brothers will only be on the alternate campus for the fall term with plans to return to their New Orleans schools when the campuses are restored.
We ask for your continued help in updating the Fraternity on the whereabouts of displaced undergraduates, alumni, and volunteers. These updates can be sent to news@sigep.net.
We have received many requests for how we can aid our Brothers.
1. Support ongoing efforts to bring needed supplies, such as canned food, water, hygiene products, and paper items to local centers
2. Support ongoing fundraising efforts.
National Director Garry C. Kief, president of Stiletto Entertainment, has offered SigEp a challenge to join with the Barry Manilow Fan Club in the Red Cross relief effort with a special boost: the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope and Barry Manilow will triple any donations chapters make to the relief effort. The Manilow Fund will match $1 for every dollar raised up to $50,000, and Barry Manilow himself will also match $1 up to $50,000 (Stiletto represents Barry). So every dollar donated becomes three. All funds raised for Hurricane Katrina will be donated immediately to the Red Cross to aid in its efforts. (The Manilow Fund contributes 100% of every dollar raised. There are zero charges for administration, etc. Donations to the Manilow Fund can be made online at www.manilowfund.com or via mail at:
Manilow Fund For Health and Hope PO Box 45378 Los Angeles, CA 90045
We ask that you keep our displaced Brothers and all those affected by this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.
Sigma Phi Epsilon raises money for American Red Cross
Ryan O´Kelley and Courtney Donald offer snow cones and cotton candy for a donation. The profits go to help the Red Cross with their Hurricane Katrina relief fund.
The support for the victims of Hurricane Katrina strengthens and the massive relief effort currently in progress gains more contributors daily. Many of the student organizations at ETSU have responded to the cry for help and begun their own efforts to raise money and items that will benefit the people affected by the storm. The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity on campus has joined in the relief effort using cutting-edge methods - snow cones and cotton candy - to raise money. Sig Ep has been providing snow cones and cotton candy to the students at ETSU for a small donation to the American Red Cross. Sig Ep has set up booths in front of Sam Wilson Hall and Sherrod Library to distribute the confections from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. this week. The money will be used to purchase items that the people suffering from the after effects of the storm desperately need. "This is something that we wanted to do and we knew needed to be done," said Brad Arlington, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon. "We originally considered taking donations of clothing and items like that, but we found out that the people that require aid from the Red Cross and other relief organizations are in need of toothpaste, soap and other toiletries. This way all the money we raise can go to purchase exactly what's needed for the victims of the storm." Absolutely all of the money is going to the Red Cross. "Sig Ep isn't even keeping the money we spend on renting the machinery and supplies for everything," said Curt Collins, who is in charge of the fundraiser for the fraternity. "It's not just been us pitching in to this particular effort either. Burger King has donated the ice and Sam Wilson has donated the use of a popcorn machine to help with the effort." The benefit outweighs the Sig Ep's out-of-pocket cost for the fundraiser. "We will actually lose around $300 by doing this, but that's small price when you look at the bigger picture," Arlington said. "After Wednesday, I believe we've raised around $700 so far and we hope that we're well over $1,000 after Thursday." The bigger picture is what Sig Ep is focusing on for this effort. They are just one of the many student organizations currently putting together fund raisers and events to help aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. "I know that the money that we raise is probably nothing compared to what a giant corporation or a celebrity could come up with, but I also realize that it contributes to the greater good," Arlington said. "What we're doing is not necessarily going to make a difference in a huge way, but every little thing counts. "I just want all of donations that everyone here and all over the world have given to be used in the right way so that it really benefits the people who need it." Sig Ep's booths, located outside Sam Wilson Hall and outside Sherrod Library, will be open until 4 p.m. Thursday. IN KENTUCKY
Last semester, SigEp held their first annual 3v3 basketball tournament for the Youth AIDS Foundation. MTV University broadcasted the event to over 800 colleges around the country for a show called "Stand-In." Ashley Judd stunned our chapter by appearing in the SigEp house the day of the tournament. Before having lunch at the house, Ashley engaged with the SigEp's in a round table discussion on the AIDS epidemic throughout the world and what to do as a chapter to suppress the deadly virus. The event was a huge success not only because it raised over $7,000 for a great cause, but because of the educational impact on AIDS that it had at UK and other campuses in the nation. SigEp continues philanthropy this semester by raising $1600 for Hurricane Katrina victims and nearly $1000 for Race for the Cure.
AT CARNEGIE MELLON
Hurricane Relief Efforts Getting Organized
Hurricane Katrina, the third strongest hurricane on record to hit the United States, made landfall on August 29 near the Louisiana-Mississippi border. News of the pervasive damage to the city of New Orleans and the surrounding areas was slow in coming, but by the first week of September, the extent of the natural disaster was revealed to Americans across the nation. Today, about three weeks later, much of New Orleans remains underwater and thousands of people are still reported missing.
However, there has been an impressive outpouring of aid to the victims of the hurricane, including at Carnegie Mellon.
Some organizations, such as Sigma Phi Epsilon, have collected money during previously scheduled events and tabling. At the Labor Day barbeque, SigEp raised $500, which was met two-dollars-for-one-dollar by the Manilow Fund for Health & Hope.
Other organizations have set up tables to raise funds. From September 7 through 9, the Black Greek Letter Organizations raised approximately $940. The money will go to five families in New Orleans with connections to Carnegie Mellon and other local Pittsburgh schools.
Labor Day, a BBQing Success
Sigma Phi Epsilon hosted Carnegie Mellon's annual Labor Day Barbecue, which was sponsored by Student Affairs, Student Dormitory Council, and Student Senate. Students were free to have fun in the sun, eat free food, and enjoy live bands on the CFA lawn.
Hamburgers, veggie burgers, and hot dogs were served under a bright summer sun with live music from BHA sophomore Ali Decker, Sonji and the Black Consuelo, and Nivlem. SigEp also asked for voluntary donations at the food tables to send as relief money for hurricane victims in New Orleans. A total of $500 was collected, and through the Manilow Fund for Health & Hope, this donation was tripled to $1,500.
The barbecue drew crowds of students who mostly went to chow down and socialize with friends.
AT DUKE UNIVERSITY
Senior Garver Moore, president of Sigma Phi Epsilon, coordinated his fraternity’s Katrina relief effort. Other greek groups are also collecting money and supplies.
Inside his Edens Quadrangle single, the president of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity picks up a small index card file from on top of his dresser. Change rattles inside.
“A couple of days ago there were $900 in this box,” senior Garver Moore said, referring to the funds his fraternity raised for Hurricane Katrina relief in collaboration with Delta Gamma sorority.
“Our goal was $3,333.33,” he explained. “Since the alums will doubly match any money we raise, that would make a total donation of $10,000.”
Several fraternities and sororities have responded to aid victims of the catastrophe that ravaged the Gulf Coast a week and a half ago.
“People are asking, ‘Where can we make the most difference for [those] in need?’” said Todd Adams, assistant dean of students. “The biggest challenge has been coordinating the efforts of all 36 organizations.”
Some groups have mobilized their alumni networks. For example, a portion of SigEp’s and Delta Gamma’s matching funds come from the Manilow Fund for Health and Hope, which was founded by singer Barry Manilow. It was arranged by the president of Manilow’s management company, who is a former SigEp brother from the University of Southern California.
The two groups sold $2 raffle tickets at the West Campus bus stop, raising $2,318. The winner will get an Xbox and a $100 shopping spree at Southpoint mall.
When combined with matching funds from the Manilow Foundation and SigEp alumni, the total donation will be $6,954.
“People were coming to the bus stop and buying 100 tickets,” Moore said. “Kids were calling their parents to tell them to add more money to their bursar’s and FLEX accounts.”
SigEp and Delta Gamma are not alone in their efforts. The greek Community plans to incorporate hurricane relief into this year’s Greek Week programming, Interfraternity Council President Jay McKenna, a senior and member of Sigma Nu, wrote in an e-mail. McKenna said the greek response to Katrina is distinguished by “the diversity of projects and efforts that we are seeing.”
Sorority Kappa Kappa Gamma focused their charity on Lake Providence, La., the beleaguered hometown of senior Cassie Condrey, a Kappa sister. According to Condrey, her hometown is located in “statistically the poorest area in the country,” but since there are no Red Cross shelters in northeastern Louisiana, it receives no Red Cross aid.
Though Lake Providence was spared by the hurricane, it has been deluged with refugees, and the population of the city has nearly doubled.
A family friend who lost her home and all her belongings in the hurricane sent Condrey an e-mail asking if she had any spare clothes she could send to Louisiana. Condrey e-mailed her sorority sisters Saturday to ask for help.
Since then Condrey has received “garbage bags and plastic bins full of clothing and pillows and other necessities.” Monday night, Kappa assembled 100 “Katrina Kits,” which contained school and hygiene supplies for evacuees staying in Lake Providence. Condrey will deliver the donated kits and clothes when she flies home to Louisiana Saturday.
Off-campus fraternities Eta Prime and Delta Phi Alpha—formerly Kappa Sigma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, respectively—held a benefit party at George’s Garage last Thursday.
The management of George’s agreed to donate half of the $5 cover charge to the Red Cross.
Eta Prime also sold t-shirts to benefit Katrina victims, and according to chapter president Michael Kenney, a senior, the two fraternities raised nearly $2,000 between the George’s benefit and t-shirt sales.
“Obviously the main motivation was to help people in need,” Kenney said. “But some of the motivation came from the fact that the [Duke] administration saw us in a negative way and something like this was a way to get our name associated with a positive cause.”
Delta Phi Alpha president Billy Fennebresque, also a senior, agrees that the fraternities’ efforts prove that service “is something the members of our two fraternities care about.”
AT SYRACUSE
Syracuse housing accommodates Tulane transfers
As students displaced by Hurricane Katrina adjust to life at Syracuse University, many can at least stop worrying about their housing situation.
As of Sept. 13, 103 students from universities in the affected Gulf Coast region have enrolled at SU for the fall semester, said Kay Hakes, administrative specialist for the University College dean. The university provided housing for 15 students on South Campus, while other students have had to make arrangements to live off campus or in greek houses.
Ryan Bartholomew, a sophomore communications and business major from Tulane University, considers himself lucky that he managed to secure an apartment on South Campus.
"It made the transition a lot easier so I could worry about catching up with my classes and everything else to do with coming to a new school," he said.
Bartholomew was also impressed by the efforts of the SU administration to accustom him to life in Syracuse. He found it helpful that SU organized a dinner on Sept. 8 where speakers welcomed students who were displaced, he said.
"All of them said, 'If you have any problems, just call and we'll take care of it,'" he said. "We're used to Southern hospitality, but New York state hospitality is just as good."
The only quibble Bartholomew said he had with his apartment was that it requires him to walk about three-quarters of a mile uphill to get to Goldstein Student Center for food, laundry and to take the bus to North Campus, he said.
Some other students have found housing on campus in greek houses, such as at the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, which is hosting two students from Tulane University.
Alex Korn, one of the two students, praised the fraternity for how helpful they have been.
"This whole fraternity has been an unbelievable help," said Korn, a sophomore political science major. "Everyone in the house has been completely accommodating. They couldn't really be any nicer."
A member of the SigEp fraternity at Tulane University, Korn called the Syracuse chapter to inquire if it had an opening in its house for him. Although it turned him down initially, Korn received a call from the national office that same day informing him that the Syracuse chapter had freed up a room for him, he said.
Chris VanDeWeert, president of the Inter-Fraternity Council and a member of the fraternity, said it was the least his fraternity could do for a fellow SigEp brother.
"This is the first opportunity my house has had to really see that we're beyond this chapter and that you have a duty as a brother," he said. "No matter where they're from, especially in a case like that, it's two people who were in extraordinary circumstances and needed to be helped out."
Meanwhile, other students have had to search for housing off campus, with many having made arrangements to live with members of the SU community and beyond. More than 120 local residents posted offers on the local OrangeHousing.com to house displaced students, many for free and for as long as the students require.
Kenji Okochi, a junior chemistry major, arranged through the Web site to live free of charge on Ostrom Avenue with Alan Middleton, associate professor of physics. Okochi said he was impressed at the generosity of Middleton and others who helped house him before he got to Syracuse.
"It was very nice of him," he said. "When I went to Houston (after evacuating from New Orleans), I stayed with a woman I'd never known before. ... People are feeling very charitable."
