New Orleans - Here we go again?

Note:
We have "pegged" this post so it stays at the top of the postings for the next several days. Please use the comments to add messages of support, updates from the path, cries for -or offers of- help for your self or your chapter, and anything else related to the storm.
Thanks

Another hurricane may be approaching the Louisiana coast in a few days. The Colleges in New Orleans are taking no chances this time around. Our HQ staff also is following all the developments. Lets hope this time it turns out to be 'just a drill.' However I am sure I speak with the voice of all SigEps when I say we'll be their to offer assistance if it is needed.

All-
I have been notified of the following:

What: Hurricane Evacuation in effect at Loyola University and Tulane University.
When: Classes are canceled beginning Friday, Aug 29 through Wednesday Sept 3.

Students are required to evacuate New Orleans by Friday evening. Classes are tentatively scheduled to resume Thursday, Sept 4 in the event that the storm does not hit the area.

Chapter Response Plan: Both LA Alpha and LA Gamma are implementing an Evacuation Response plan. I have been in contact with both Jeff Schiffman, Chap Counselor at LA Alpha and Bill Hydrick, Chap Counselor at LA Gamma. Both chapters have contact info for all brothers and will be sending out updates to the chapter and HQ during the evacuation.

Jeff Schiffman of LA Alpha is in contact with Dave Lourie, AVC Pres about storm preparations for the chapter house. I will forward any updates that I receive.

There are no plans to evacuate at LSU at this time. I spoke to John Allen, Chap Counselor at LA Beta, and he said that he will be monitoring the storm's progress as well.

I conveyed to all chapters that we are willing to help in any way possible. I will continue to monitor the storm's status as well as stay in touch with the chapter volunteers through the weekend. Again, I will forward any updates.

Thanks,
Matt

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Matthew S Parrish
Sigma Phi Epsilon
Regional Director - Deep South
310 South Boulevard
Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 310-0035

Scott McClellan: SigEp, Citation Holder, Tattletale?

Scott McClellan received the Sigma Phi Epsilon Citation for his professional achievements at the 2005 Conclave in Nashville, TN. Shortly thereafter he left the job. There was speculation at the time whether he was "helped" out the door.

Now he has written a book about what really happened in the White House. Predictably, the Republicans are dismissing it as the act of a "disgruntled former employee." Equally predictably, the "liberal media" are his new-best-friends.

We are not taking sides here. Although we did see an email that was passed around suggesting Scotty should be stripped of his pin. We suspect an equally large group would like to give him another award for speaking out. Scott McClellan: SigEp, Citation Recipient, tattletale, in the news.

The comment line is open.

Tulane Sig Eps Continue Post Katrina Service

Tulane Sig Eps Continue Winning Service

In the summer of 2007 the Sigma Phi Epsilon Educational Foundation recognized Louisiana Alpha's post Katrina service work. The foundation extended us the opportunity to apply for a $5,000 grant to continue our chapter's service work in New Orleans as a part of the Honor of Philias award that the chapter received.

With a renewed sense of accomplishment and an expanded source of capital, our chapter sought to concentrate its service efforts. In an effort to influence one of the city's most vital institutions, www.greenNOLAschools.com was born. The website and service project are both creations of the LA Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Our undergraduate chapter has decided to focus our community outreach efforts on the improvement and redevelopment of New Orleans schools. We aim to do this by raising money for Global Green New Orleans', a local non-profit, Green Schools Initiative. We eventually hope to expand the scope of our project to include service learning and other educational opportunities for our members. We are confident that our alumni can have a very positive impact on our efforts. Please stay tuned for updates regarding opportunities for alumni involvement. In the meantime, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me personally.

Winter Break Opportunity - Katrina Reconstruction

Gene Shurg sent this notice of what MD Beta and DE Alpha will be doing over Christmas break.

The Maryland Beta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity, located at the University of Maryland, plans to journey to Louisiana’s St. Bernard Parish (located near New Orleans) during the Winter Break to build homes for victims of hurricane Katrina. Relief efforts have continued since the disaster, but many regions still need continued support. These men were so moved by the needs of the area that they would like to travel this January with a large number of SigEps to help with the rebuilding efforts.

Maryland Beta will be joined by SigEp brothers from the Delaware Alpha Chapter from the University of Delaware.

Maryland Beta with past Grand Chapter President Archie Yeatts

The Chapter is approaching the project on two fronts–during this semester the chapter has set a goal to raise a minimum of $10,000 to pay for building materials and financial support for continued rebuilding efforts, and another $4,000 will be raised to support the travel and living expenses for the volunteers.

Volunteers will stay at Camp Hope, which provides modest, low-cost lodging for relief volunteers. They will be working from January 6 through January 11, 2008.

If you would like to contribute to the recovery efforts through this project, a tax-deductible gift for building materials may be sent by check made payable to

“IH Center/St. Bernard Project”
Sigma Phi Epsilon–MD Beta,
8 Fraternity Row,
College Park, Maryland, 20740.

Other gifts to support the travel and living costs for the volunteers can be made payable to Sigma Phi Epsilon and sent to the same address. Gifts to the Chapter for travel and living costs are not tax-deductible.

The Maryland Beta Chapter would also be interested in members from other chapters who would like to experience this service-learning opportunity and join them sharing brotherly love with the people of the St. Bernard Parish. To join Maryland Beta and Delaware Alpha chapters in this program contact Kevin Lynch or Matthew Bowen.

More information regarding the St. Bernard Project can be found at www.stbernardproject.org.

Want to help? Send them a check. If you can work, send an email and let them know.

Tulane Sig Ep Golf Cart Traveler Update

[Thanks to Bill Hydrick for pointing out this article]

Cart Delivers a Message: Go Big Easy!
Mike Strecker

It's about 1,700 miles from Los Angeles to New Orleans as the crow flies, but likely a lot longer the way Greg Thurnher traveled on his trek to raise awareness about the Big Easy's comeback from Hurricane Katrina and its continued appeal as a college town.

In his first venture as a newly minted graduate of Tulane University's Business School, Thurnher set out from Los Angeles on May 20 in a souped-up golf cart that was inspired by his undergrad senior engineering project, making multiple stops along I-10 to stage mini-Mardi Gras parades with a contingent of 10 Tulane students and alumni.

On Friday (June 1), the good-times golf cart rolled into the Crescent City and paraded to the uptown Tulane campus.

"Learning, living and growing at Tulane clearly defined what I now know as my life. I can't imagine attending any other university in any other city," Thurnher says. "I am troubled that others may forgo the benefits of a Tulane education and a life in New Orleans based on misperceptions about what's going on there.

"So I hope this trip will underscore how much a recent graduate believes in the city and how wonderful it was for me to be part of its comeback as a student. Being there and contributing to its recovery is a great experience."

Thurnher says that, while some New Orleans neighborhoods are still struggling, no one should miss a chance to experience what is still the country's most unique city.
After receiving his MBA degree on May 19 from Tulane, Thurnher flew from New Orleans to Los Angeles, his childhood home. The next day, he boarded his golf cart and began to wend his way through the Southwest, veering off to Houston, where he works now, and finally arrive back in New Orleans.

He and his team of supporters made numerous stops along the way in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Baton Rouge, La., parading through towns and throwing Mardi Gras beads to promote the Big Easy's ongoing vitality and joie de vivre. Thurnher has dubbed his trip Operation Big Easy Go.
Jack in the Box restaurants sponsored Thurnher's odyssey, providing him and his fellow travelers with food and Mardi Gras-style throws throughout the length of their trip.

"I feel greatly indebted to my university and my city," Thurnher said. "My service in restoration efforts is trivial when compared to those who have 'lived' the restoration every step of the way. I want those New Orleanians and Tulanians to know that their patience and dedication to New Orleans is worthwhile."

Tulane University Magazine - News

Sig Ep Drives Golf Cart from LA to New Orleans

Sig Ep Greg Thurnher Trecks from LA to NO to Show Support for the Big Easy

Tomorrow approximately 2,000 young (and, in some cases, not so young) scholars will become graduates of Tulane University. Our graduates will embark on many diverse paths upon completion of their degrees. One in particular has chosen a less traditional path.

In his first venture as a newly minted graduate of Tulane University's A.B.
Freeman School of Business, Greg Thurnher will set out from Los Angeles the day after graduation on a 1,700 mile odyssey back to New Orleans.

Greg's mode of transportation will be a souped-up golf cart he built as his undergraduate senior project. The purpose of Greg's trip is to raise awareness about New Orleans' comeback from Katrina and its continued appeal as the country's most interesting city and best college town. Greg will make multiple stops along I-10, staging mini-Mardi Gras parades with an entourage of Tulane students and alumni.

Like many of us, Greg has been distressed by the continued negative portrayal of New Orleans in the national media. "Learning, living, and growing at Tulane clearly defined what I now know as my life. I can't imagine attending any other university, in any other city," Greg says. "I am troubled that others may forgo the benefits of a Tulane education and a life in New Orleans based on misperceptions about what¹s going on here."

I could not have said it better myself. While our city and region still face many challenges we need to remind the country, and sometimes ourselves, of how far we¹ve come. You can learn more about Greg¹s trip by visiting http://www.bigeasygo.com/

Although most won¹t embark on a journey as audacious as Greg's, I am counting on all of our graduates, and all of you, to spread the word about our continued recovery. Let everyone know that all the things that made our city great -- our food, our music, our architecture, our culture, our Tulane -- are still here.

Let them know that 1,400 freshmen from around the country and the world have put their faith in New Orleans by enrolling as the class of 2011 and that another 2,000 graduates will leave their hearts here tomorrow. Let them know that they should do the same.

Have a great weekend,
Scott Cowen

Sigma Chi Commits to Helping Rebuild New Orleans

A Saint in the City: No Off-Season as Brees Helps New Orleans Rebuild
By the Associated Press

Drew Brees decided his adopted hometown would be an ideal place for fraternity brothers to experience two key aspects of Greek life: community service and partying.

Brees arranged downtown hotel rooms for more than 75 Sigma Chi fraternity brothers from universities around the country and Canada so that they could work on a handful of Habitat for Humanity houses in the city’s “musician’s village” in the Upper Ninth Ward. Brees was a Sigma Chi at Purdue.

In a still-reeling neighborhood that flooded during Hurricane Katrina in 2005, the fraternity brothers spent last week hammering nails and painting from the early morning until late afternoon, then were encouraged by Brees to enjoy their evenings in the French Quarter.

“I wanted them to walk away from this with the rewarding experience of working here,” Brees said Thursday, “but also going to their friends, their fraternity brothers and their family and saying: ‘Man, New Orleans is such a fun town. Go down there and experience what we experienced, because that city is a special one.’

“I tell them all the great restaurants to go to, all the great things to experience, and obviously, they’re college kids, so they’re doing a little bit of partying. They’re really soaking up all that New Orleans has to offer.”

By choosing to play in storm-weary New Orleans as a free agent in 2006, and by often speaking publicly about how he has enjoyed living in the city’s historic Uptown section, Brees became popular among local fans even before he helped the Saints reach their first National Football Conference championship game last season.

While Brees led the N.F.L. in passing and made the Pro Bowl, he won accolades for his work off the field. He was the co-recipient of the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for contributions to the community.

Early last season, Brees and his teammate Deuce McAllister were hosts for a cocktail party that raised money to restore Pan American Stadium, a flood-damaged high school football field. He donated time to help landscape a school and helped renovate an N.F.L.-sponsored youth center. He restored a van belonging to Children’s Hospital, read to children, gave away 300 bicycles at Christmas, appeared in televised public service announcements and served as the pitchman for a line of fleur de lis jewelry, the sales of which generated money for charitable causes.

Next weekend, he and several teammates will take more than 30 patients from Children’s Hospital, some of them fighting cancer, on a fishing trip to the small town of Venice, near the mouth of the Mississippi River.

“It’s a sportsman’s paradise — some of the best fishing in the country,” Brees said. “And when you see the look on these kids’ faces when they catch a fish — some of them have never caught a fish in their life, and sometimes that’s the best therapy, as good as any medicine you could give them.”

Brees, who also traveled to the Middle East during this off-season to meet with American soldiers, wore camouflage shorts and a similar hat as he pounded away at nails on a hot, sunny day. He said he decided to forgo helping with roof work, citing the Saints’ first minicamp coming up in less than a month.

McAllister and tight end Mark Campbell also stopped by to thank the volunteers, pose for pictures and sign autographs.

Meanwhile, Brees also has his Brees Dream Foundation joining with a group called Operation Kids to raise $2 million for various other projects around the city.

“We’ve got about six projects here in town we’ve identified — schools or parks or fields that we’re trying to renovate — just to help kids,” he said.

The homes they worked on last week are modest but cheerful-looking one-story units, similar to the long, narrow “shotgun double” homes that historically stood in the neighborhood. They have small front porches and are brightly painted. The new homes remain surrounded by unoccupied gutted homes with overgrown yards, water-stained siding and torn-up roofs.

“I’ve never seen anything like it before,” said Chris Springstun, who will be a senior at Purdue. “I’m sure people come down here all the time and do things like Drew’s doing. But if more people who have credibility like he does do that kind of stuff, you’ll get more people down here. You’ll get more projects started.”

He said he was grateful to Brees for providing an opportunity for him to help rebuild the area. The students in his group had to pay their own way to New Orleans, but Brees, through an array of bartering agreements, took care of most meals, transportation and lodging.

On Thursday, Brees talked the owner of one of his favorite restaurants into sending charbroiled oysters to the work site at lunchtime.

“It would be hard for me to say no to Drew,” said Tommy Cvitanovich, whose family runs the popular Drago’s restaurant.

Cvitanovich said he wanted to thank the volunteers and to help Brees promote New Orleans.

“The best way they can help our city,” Cvitanovich said of the volunteers, “is going back and telling their friends to come back and spend a weekend. Nothing helps this city more than letting us earn our keep now.”

Tulane Sig Eps Spearhead Effort to Inform Public about New Orleans Viability

Big Easy Go is a student-managed effort to complete a cross-country "parade" celebrating the rebirth of New Orleans. The convoy will be led by a New Orleans-themed golf cart and, if successful, will break the world record for longest golf cart drive.

MISSION

Take a souped-up golf cart, a rebuilt 1993 Lincoln Town Car limousine, a few dozen New Orleans-lovers and put them on the road from Los Angeles to New Orleans. What do you get? Big Easy Go, a different kind of pro-New Orleans campaign – a project as whimsical and seemingly impossible as the Big Easy itself.Our mission is simple: to encourage Americans and funhogs worldwide to return to New Orleans, a city eager – and ready – for tourists of all ages to come back.Our unlikely convoy will depart Los Angeles on May 20, 2007, led by our founder Gregory Thurnher (LA Alpha Alumnus) in his “Golf Car,” a revamped golf cart with a sixteen horsepower gas motor that began as his 2002 senior engineering project at Tulane University. We’re planning stops in Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana during our two week-long journey. Along the way we plan to share our New Orleans experiences and encourage locals to come visit. . . we may even add some Southwesterners to our ranks and bring them along with us.Most of us are current, former and future New Orleans residents, many of us are Tulane University alumni and students, and all of us are ready to act as ambassadors for the city we love and cherish.If all goes as planned we will reach New Orleans on June 1, 2007, breaking the world record for longest golf cart drive. We are planning a party to celebrate our arrival and the revival of the city, with local music and food at Tulane University.The road to recovery since Hurricane Katrina has been long and hard for everyone on the Gulf Coast, and New Orleans still has progress to make. But the Crescent City is open for business and we want to spread the word. If our rag-tag convoy can make it to New Orleans, then anything is possible. And New Orleans can make it back, too.


Here's Brother Thurner's Personal Statement Regarding Big Easy Go!

Tulane University and the City of New Orleans are back, and fully functional in the eyes of our residents and visitors. Many areas previously plagued with storm related damage are completed restored. In some areas, economic incentives and federal assistance invigorated areas that were otherwise not desirable in their “Pre-Katrina” state. Despite these great strides, the nation sees a different picture of New Orleans.

Crime, violence, and economic failure are often the “tag lines” of New Orleans related conversations. Sadly, these topics are what capture the attention of our nation. The intent of OPERATION BIG EASY GO is to redirect the focus of the national media to the progress, the potential, and the promise of an amazing experience, available “only at Tulane, only in New Orleans.”

I moved to New Orleans August 24th, 1998. Learning, living, and growing at Tulane clearly defined what I now know as my “life.” I can’t imagine attending any other university, in any other city. Following my graduation from the School of Engineering, I accepted an offer from Entergy Services. This extended my stay in New Orleans an additional three years, accommodating my pursuit of an MBA from Tulane’s Freeman School of Business.

Mardi Gras Day, 2005, I received a phone call from my manager. I was selected to make a “developmental move” towards a management position within Entergy. I accepted the assignment, and relocated to The Woodlands, Texas. My management told me this would be a two year assignment, concluding with my return to New Orleans. I had no idea that this plan would be interrupted by one of the worst storms in our nation’s history.

Fortunately, as a Electric Distribution Engineer in The Woodlands, I volunteered to return to New Orleans to assist Entergy New Orleans in restoring critical electric service. I arrived in New Orleans four days after Katrina, and performed restoration work (varying from directing 65 man linemen crews to physically performing linemen duties) for approximately four weeks. Despite the rough conditions and seemingly endless workload, I was delighted to have a part in the initial recovery of New Orleans. My memories of the devastation remind me, each time that I return to New Orleans, how far we have truly come from “Ground Zero.”

Katrina spared me. I sold my home in New Orleans five months before it was inundated with water. My pursuits of the Tulane MBA lead me to a promotion within Entergy as a power marketer. I feel greatly indebted to my University and my City. My service in restoration efforts is trivial when compared to those who have “lived” the restoration every step of the way. I want those New Orleanians and Tulanians to know that their patience and dedication to New Orleans is worthwhile. To do so, positive press encouraging business, tourists, and students to return is vital!

As I prepare to graduate from Tulane for the second time this May, I am troubled when I think that others may forgo all of the benefits of a Tulane Education and a life in New Orleans based upon preconceived notions of New Orleans. For my Senior Engineering project, I took an antiquated golf cart through a “monster garage” redesign. This golf cart has been my chariot for many Mardi Gras, and is one of my most unique memories of Tulane and New Orleans. To me, the golf cart represents all that is Tulane and all that is New Orleans; a fantastic, entertaining place to explore your intellectual pursuits, where your opportunities and resources are only constrained by your ambition and imagination. I have designed Operation BIG EASY GO to mirror my journey from childhood, to my post college, post Katrina years in New Orleans.

Operation BIG EASY GO will begin when I leave my childhood home in Los Angeles, California at the wheel of the golf cart. I will continue through Scottsdale, Arizona (where I attended high school,) Houston, Texas, (my current residence) commencing in New Orleans. This operation will take two weeks, and will include strategically placed stops along the way. At each stop, we will rally with our alumni and supporters, and remind the nation of the “flavor” that is only in New Orleans. Each stop, each interview, each article, will convey the resounding message that New Orleans and Tulane are viable. Tulane and New Orleans still offer an experience that is unique, and globally recognized. Tulane and New Orleans invite you to come back. It is expected that my journey will be accompanied by current Tulane students in more “traditional” modes of transportation. The operation will begin after Tulane Graduation, May 19th, 2007.

Please consider making a financial contribution to this worthy cause. All proceeds will be donated to Tulane University.

Please direct all inquiries for information to:
Gregory Thurnher, ME ’02, MBA 07
gthurnhe@tulane.edu

Fund Big Easy Go:

Big Easy Go needs your help! To keep this endeavor affordable, on a student budget, you can donate to Big Easy Go via Paypal (see website). Big EG Inc, doing business as Big Easy Go, is a non-profit corporation. All proceeds of our trip will be donated to Tulane University.

Advertise Big Easy Go:

The Big Easy Go wants to showcase your products and or logo! In exchange for a negotiable donation, The Big Easy Go can adorn your logo on any of our vehicles, wear any of your logo adorned clothing, or distribute any of your products. Imagine your product / service / company sharing all of the publicity that will inherently follow the Big Easy Go!

E-mail: ads@bigeasygo.com for more information.

Ride Big Easy Go:

Tired of the same old summer vacation? Take it easy with the Big Easy Go. The Big Easy Go can accommodate individuals who wish to “ride” with our Krewe. Patrons can choose the duration of their ride. E-mail: ride@bigeasygo.com for more information.

House Big Easy Go:

Do you own or operate a hotel, dorm, or other building or home that could house the Big Easy Go? Each day of our journey will last between eight and sixteen hours. Following each day, we would greatly appreciate any opportunity to “rest up” before our subsequent day’s journey. Email: logistics@bigeasygo.com for more information.

Feed Big Easy Go:

Do you own or operate a restaurant along our route. The Big Easy Go will travel with a hungry group of students and enthusiasts. We will graciously accept anything you can offer, in exchange for all of the excitement, publicity, and goodwill that is inherent with the Big Easy Go. Email: logistics@bigeasygo.com for more information.

'Breaking' spring break norms

"I got hammered on Spring Break" - and it's a GOOD thing!

The Illinois Alpha SigEps may not have gotten much face time on NBC, but they had a very successful "Alternative Spring Break" building houses in Florida.

'Breaking' spring break norms - News

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'Breaking' spring break norms

Students travel, commit to service during Alternative Spring Break

By Ebonique Wool

One week is all the time University students have for spring break, and it goes fast.

Many students go home and sleep in for the week, and others go on trips to Cancun or other vacation hot spots.

But some students choose to make a difference in other people's lives.

Alternative Spring Break at the University was founded in 1989 by a group of students who wanted to help Central American refugees in Brownville, Texas.

Now, the Alternative Spring Break program offers as many as 17 trips, going to places like Miami and New Orleans to help with the gutting and building of houses for those in need.

There are many different reasons students choose to participate in the Alternative Spring Break program, but one of the most common is to have the opportunity to help others and have a positive effect on their lives.

"It's something everyone should try at least once in their life," said Jake Hamlin, sophomore in LAS and member of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

He, along with 33 other of his fraternity members, went to Miami over spring break to help build houses for families who did not have the means to afford them. They worked with Habitat for Humanity and lived in a nearby church with other volunteer members.

Community service is important to the fraternity and they encouraged their members to participate in the trip.

"We see the inherent value in service," said Rich Pasquesi, junior in Engineering and fellow member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. "The brotherhood formed on a trip like this is wonderful. You can form stories to remember."

Students were also sent to New Orleans, La., to help rebuild and fix houses damaged from Hurricane Katrina. Students gutted houses and removed rubble to help speed up the rebuilding process.

"You really get in touch with reality and see that not everyone is as blessed as you are," said Mitchell Farag, freshman in LAS.

For Farag, the Alternative Spring Break program presented the opportunity to do something he had been unable to do before.

"I had wanted to help out with Hurricane Katrina since before I got to college," Farag said. "You can see your results and know that you are directly helping someone. That is my main motivation."

The Alternative Spring Break trips offer a variety of ways to help others while taking volunteers to interesting places. During their free time, students were able to walk around Bourbon Street and the French Quarter in New Orleans and others were able to lay out on South Beach in Miami.

These students believe they made a difference in another person's life and are fulfilled from the experience.

"I wanted to do something different than the regular spring break," said Hamlin. "I think it's a great way to expand your horizons."

Making Lemonade

College life in New Orleans is slowly coming back.

At Tulane, Loyola and Dillard universities, Southern University at New Orleans, the University of New Orleans and other area colleges, thousands of freshmen and older students have chosen to be here.

They think this city, at this moment, will give them an education like nowhere else in the world.

Tulane recently added a new public health degree in disaster management, and it established a Center for Public Service to organize and encourage student involvement in the city's recovery effort.

One group of Tulane undergraduates established the Mardi Gras Service Corps, a nonprofit organization that has raised tens of thousands of dollars to gut houses and help displaced families find their way back to the city.

College students get back to work, play in New Orleans

Technorati tags: katrina, college, New Orleans

A Thoughtful Reminder of Katrina from the President of Tulane University

A Letter From President Scott Cowen
talk@tulane.edu

Dear Colleagues, Students and Friends:
Exactly one year ago Hurricane Katrina made landfall near New Orleans, ravaging our beloved city and university and forever changing us all.

Due to this monumental disaster, Tulane University became the first major American university in the last century to close its doors for a whole semester. In the immediate aftermath of the hurricane our university fought for its survival, and we did survive. It challenged every fiber of our being to recover, but we did recover. We were forced to reconfigure and renew ourselves for the future--academically, physically and financially--and we are in the process of that renewal. We have beaten the odds and look to the future with confidence, determination and a sense of realistic hope born from our strength under fire. Tulanians have been inextricably bound together by the singular desire to renew our university and to rebuild our city.

I hope you will join your fellow Tulanians for a Katrina Remembrance at McAlister Auditorium today at noon. I may be late or miss the ceremony due to an earlier scheduled meeting I and a few others have with President George Bush during his visit to New Orleans on the Katrina anniversary. If I am not with you in person because of this commitment, I can assure you I will be with you in spirit.

My hope for the future rests in all of you--our Tulane family. You have overcome sometimes overwhelming personal adversity, demonstrated your commitment to Tulane and the city and have performed above and beyond the call of duty in the last year. This is why you are my heroes, and this is why we will succeed regardless of whatever challenges the future might hold.

As we pause to remember what happened last year, let us reaffirm our commitment to do whatever it takes in the months and years ahead to continue to renew Tulane and New Orleans. Out of this great tragedy we have an unprecedented opportunity to set an example of "civic engagement" both as an institution and as individuals. In doing so, we will be pursuing a noble endeavor befitting what society expects of us in the academy--to lead with our minds, our knowledge and our actions in order to make the community and world around us a better place.
There could be no better time or reason for us to shine!

Scott Cowen

What Ever Happened To ...

I recall some discussion of a Sig Ep effort from around the country to travel to New Orleans, or the area ravaged by Hurricane Katrina, to help with clean-up and rebuilding. The story of the Tulane Chapter's effort raised the question - did anything ever materialize? Let's hear about what your brothers did!

Tulane Fraternities Renew Community

Thanks to Bill Hydrick for this article from the Tulane "New Wave" online news. The Greek system at Tulane is helping New Orleans at the city still struggles to get back to some kind of normality.

The clean-up crew of Tulane fraternity members from Delta Tau Delta (top photo) works on landscaping and other projects for Gentilly resident Lynn Honoré

When Lynn Honoré, affectionately known as Miss Lynn, took the job as cook of the Delta Tau Delta house, she never imagined that the Tulane University fraternity men instead would be taking care of her home. Combine some hurricane damage, fraternal brotherhood and the will to do good--and you end up with a recipe for a coup de main, a French Louisiana term to describe when a community gathers to assist one of its own.

"Delta Tau Delta played an important role in helping Miss Lynn move back into her home," said Brian Krevor, fraternity philanthropy chair. "We had multiple work days to do a majority of the work that the contractors would not."
[...]
Just down Broadway, among the row of fraternities, the Tulane chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon initiated a community service project for "neutral ground" restoration. They are refurbishing several neglected street medians in the uptown area of New Orleans. In early June about 20 Sig Ep men started repairing the intersection of State and Willow streets. The fraternity is adopting multiple areas to maintain monthly--with plans to add areas near Broadway in July.

A third fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma, has been gutting houses for people without insurance in the Lower 9th Ward, according to Jacob Bolin, director of fraternity and sorority programs.

Bolin says the 25 Greek-letter organizations of Tulane (15 fraternities, 10 sororities) each have a national philanthropy and a local or national community service commitment. He expects, for years to come, the fraternities and sororities will focus on community service to help with New Orleans' recovery.

It is really oustanding that the local chapters have been able to help out.

Last fall there was a lot of buzz about Sig Ep setting up an "Alternative Spring Break" project to bring a wave of help to the city. After some very high-sounding emails it seems that, like so many great ideas, it had no legs. Too bad for New Orleans and too bad for the men who would have been inspired by such an effort.

Maybe next year; New Orleans' reconstruction problems are not going away any time soon.

Tulane University Magazine - News

LA Alpha Helps Clean and Restore Neighborhoods

The Louisiana Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon has recently adopted a new community service project: The Sig Ep Neutral Ground Restoration Project. The project aims to repair and refurbish a number of forgotten “neutral ground” areas in Uptown New Orleans. Following Hurricane Katrina, the City of New Orleans was forced to cut the jobs of the majority of its public grounds keepers and maintenance staff. Sig Ep decided to take action and adopt a few of these areas. Last weekend, 20 brothers tackled the first area, located at the intersection of State Street and Willow Streets, and plan on making return trips until the area has returned to its previous state. The fraternity plans on adopting a number of areas and making monthly trips to ensure that each place remains in good shape. Next month they plan on focusing on areas of Broadway and other areas of Uptown. The program is part of a public service commitment that the chapter has made this semester. The commitment included multiple paint rallies at O. Perry Walker High School, Habitat for Humanity, work with ACORN, and the Neutral Ground Restoration Project.

LA Alpha Neutral Ground Restoration Project

Cal State-Chico Greeks Improve Image

The Orion
California State University, Chico
May 24, 2006

Cal State-Chico greeks comply with university rules, improve image
By Jennifer Scholtes, The Orion

One year ago, the Greek Life Task Force presented a report to President Paul Zingg that gave Cal State-Chico fraternities and sororities an ultimatum: Get better or get out.

Although the Greeks still have a long way to go, they have improved their system, university officials said.

"Compared to last year at this time, we've made tremendous progress," Vice President for Student Affairs Jim Moon told the Academic Senate on May 2. "I wouldn't have predicted that a year ago."

The Greek system was asked to revamp May 16, 2005 after events that included the near death of a pledge because of alcohol poisoning in January 2005, the death of a pledge during a hazing ritual in February 2005 and the April 2005 discovery that a fraternity had filmed a pornographic video in its chapter house.

To improve themselves, the Greeks were asked to limit alcohol consumption, focus on academics, develop leaders, increase community service and philanthropy, and stop hazing.

In response, the Greeks voted this semester to not recruit first-semester freshmen and not have alcohol at socials held at chapter houses. In addition, the Academic Senate made a rule that all university-recognized Greek organizations must have average chapter GPAs of 2.5 or higher.

The Greeks have achieved their community service and philanthropy goals by supporting causes such as the Boys & Girls Club and Hurricane Katrina relief. And Greek adviser Larry Bassow said he thinks hazing has drastically decreased.

But Zingg has already started to see a response to the system's improvement, he said.

"From a lot of community feedback, I believe that the larger community has seen positive changes with the Greeks and is confident that we're headed in the right direction," he said in an e-mail.

(C) 2006 The Orion

He ain't heavy, he's my ...oops, never mind

Here is a story you won't see on the LXA blog.

n escaped inmate from Louisiana who conned his way into a University of Tennessee fraternity by posing as a Katrina evacuee was sentenced to more than three years in prison.
[...]
Steven Mark Ridge pleaded guilty to counterfeiting.

Lamda Chi helped Ridge and another inmate who escaped with him when they posed as fraternity brothers displaced by the hurricane.

The two were caught when Ridge tried to pass a counterfeit bill at a Knoxville market.

I suppose the takeaway point here is to be careful when you extend the hospitality of the Brotherhood. It is possible to be compassionate without being gullible.

WBIR.COM - Katrina escapee who posed as UT frat member sentenced for counterfeiting

A longer story here but it requires registration.

Technorati tags: UTK, Lambda Chi Alpha, Katrina

Mardi Gras - in Buffalo? New York?

Is nothing sacred? I mean, sure Katrina messed stuff up, but there is no way Anyone north of Baton Rouge can make an etouffé worth eating. Not to mention how difficult is is to make a "Girls Gone Wild" video when everyone is dressed in turtlenecks and down parkas.

n the wake of Hurricane Katrina, there is a campaign afoot (www.nationalmardigras.com) to designate Mardi Gras a national holiday. Thanks to Artvoice and a heavenly host of sponsors, club owners, volunteers, float-builders, performers, marchers, runners, cyclists, assorted angels and revelers, Buffalo has an 11-year head start. The 11th Annual Artvoice Mardi Gras is the biggest Fat Tuesday charity event anywhere and the third biggest Mardi Gras celebration in the country. Our parade boasts more than 40 floats, the 7k Big Fat Race and Big Fat Bike Ride, all wending a tipsy path from the Albright-Knox, along Elmwood, through Allentown and Chippewa and ending at Cozumel.
[...]
Artvoice Mardi Gras 2006 is sponsored by Southern Comfort, Heineken, ... We are also indebted to the Buffalo Police Department, Buffalo City Hall,..., Sigma Phi Epsilon at Canisius College and Delta Xi Omega at UB.

Oh well, Sig Eps love a challenge, especially when a party is involved.

Mardi Gras

Technorati tags: Mardi Gras, Buffalo, New York

Frats modify rush process

Dry Rush? In New Orleans? I'm shocked! Shocked!
Loyola tries a bold experiment.

The fraternity rush process has changed this year, and many fraternity members are not happy about it.

In an effort to change the negative stereotype that all Greeks do is drink, the Interfraternity Council and Student Activities have opted to have a dry rush, according to IFC President Mike Rosas, business administration senior.

They have also shortened rush to a one-week process and made it mandatory that all activities take place on campus. In past years, it has lasted for two weeks and most parties were held off-campus.

"Since the whole school is revamping how organizations are run it seemed like a good time to make these changes," Rosas said. "Before, when there was alcohol served, the school didn't condone it, but they turned a blind eye."

The liability of underage drinking was also a reason for the alterations.

Welcome to the 21st century, Loyola. This points out that in order for a culture change to be successful you need buy-in from all those involved.

Frats modify rush process - The Maroon - News (Free Subscr Reqd)

Tag: Alcohol,Loyola,New Orleans,fraternity

LA Alpha gives back!

We got this in our "viewer mail" today

Always committed to public and community service, Hurricane Katrina has strengthened Louisiana Alpha’s dedication to the New Orleans community.

Last weekend, as part of the Outreach New Orleans event, 26 brothers were present to help repair and paint the O. Perry Walker High School on the West Bank. The previous week, a group of brothers spent a 5 day period working with Habitat for Humanity in mid-city.

Tulane Sig Ep has committed to a number of exciting community service events in the coming weeks, all of which will be detailed on our website. Also, keep your eyes out for some pictures to be posted of LA Alpha giving back to our community we love so much.

If you would like to help volunteer in the area with Sig Ep or otherwise, please contact Tyler Rench, our community service chair at trench@tulane.edu.

Jeff

Jeff Schiffman
Tulane University
Office of Undergraduate Admission

Congratulations to LA Alpha for stepping up and helping out.

We had an email from someone who works at Tulane this week. He said that they were down to 12 hour days and 6 day weeks now. They had been going 16-hour days and 7-day weeks for months. Sounds really rough.

Right after Katrina there were a flurry of emails and Big Ideas from some of the movers and shakers in SigEpLand about organizing an "alternative spring break". Sig Eps would show up in New Orleans with hammers and hard hats to put on a Habitat for Humanity major event. We have not heard anything in recent months about the progress - or lack of it - on this front. You hate to think that just because we aren't seeing bodies floating down Bourbon Street any more that the urgency and cachet has been lost. It sure seems like something could be done.

Tag: SigEp, Katrina, Fraternity, New Orleans

Back to books in the bayou

New Orleans Colleges are slowly starting to come back to life. Students are returning to a changed city.

Tens of thousands of college students scattered after Hurricane Katrina smashed New Orleans are returning this month to the city's colleges and universities. In a city that celebrates every time another business reopens, the reopening this week of Tulane University - now the city's largest employer - is like celebrating Mardi Gras early.
[...]
Students who started classes last week have said that at times, it feels like they never left. At Loyola, one of the two campuses that began classes last Monday, there were long lines at the bookstore, confusion about classroom locations and students reading in tranquil Palm Court. Like every new school year, freshmen are excited to make new friends, except now they're introducing themselves by saying "where did you go?" instead of "where are you from?"

But they're also returning to changed campuses and neighborhoods, where Katrina's impact is everywhere. There are fewer professors but hundreds of construction workers busy repairing Tulane's campus, where freshmen moved in Thursday, and orientation activities at Loyola University now include bus tours through neighborhoods wiped out by the storm.
[...]
Even in the less damaged areas near Tulane and Loyola, some traffic signals are out and many student-favored restaurants, bars and coffee shops remain closed because of too few customers and employees. It's a struggle to find restaurants open past 9 p.m., and streetcars that took students to the French Quarter aren't running.

Tulane senior Lewis Lowe realizes these are relatively minor inconveniences. A fraternity brother's family lost their Lakeview home. Two other brothers aren't returning to school after the university eliminated some engineering programs.

Remember when the worst thing you had to woory about was a losing footbal season? Our hats are off to those students who are returning and the administrators and instructors who are working overtime to bring normalcy back to the learning community.

KRT Wire | 01/15/2006 | Back to books in the bayou

Tags: New Orleans, college, katrina