Staying in the family

There must be something in the water at the Quinnipiac SigEp house.

The Quinnipiac Chronicle Staying in the family | The Quinnipiac Chronicle:

Sig-Ep member elected SGA president for fifth time in a row

The past five student body presidents, including newly elected Mostafa Elhaggar, have been members of the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. However, Student Body President Matt Desilets said there is no direct correlation between the fraternity and Student Government Association.

“It really has nothing to do with Sig-Ep,” Desilets said. “I joined SGA and then I started hanging out with the guys who were in Sig-Ep and they became some of my best friends. It’s not like internally we’re like, ‘we need the SGA president [to be in Sig-Ep.]’”

Former Student Body President Ben Cloutier was both Desilets’ and Vice President of Student Concerns Evangelos Milas’ big in Sigma Phi Epsilon. Milas is Elhaggar’s big. Continuing the family line, Elhaggar is newly elected Student Body Vice President Jonny Atkin’s big. Atkin is Freshman representative Joey Mullaney’s big.

About 68 percent of SGA members are affiliated with a Greek organization on campus, Desilets said. Though 26.16 percent of Quinnipiac students are Greek, Desilets does not think SGA is misrepresenting the undergraduate population.

“I don’t think Greek life has a real role in us representing students,” he said. “I just think it’s kind of more coincidental. It’s our job to be doing our best to represent all students.”

The student body presidents’ involvement in Sigma Phi Epsilon is “coincidental,” Elhaggar said.

“I mean that from the bottom of my heart,” he said. “I was in student government before I was in Sig-Ep and so was every student body president since I have been here.”

Cloutier was Milas’ mentor when he first joined SGA, but Milas said Cloutier never pushed Sigma Phi Epsilon on him.

“Just by hanging out with [Ben], I naturally gravitated to [Sig-Ep] by me looking up to him,” Milas said. “I would ask about it every now and then and he would just brush it off. In no sense was he ever like, ‘Hey listen, I really want you to do Sig-Ep.’”

Desilets said having Cloutier as a big was a reflection of their friendship more than anything.

Arizona State presidential candidate: Jonathan Cole

Click the link for the full article.

A.S. presidential candidate: Jonathan Cole | The Daily Aztec:

Cole is affiliated with Sigma Phi Epsilon, Rotaract and the Business Honors Program. He is also part of the Student African American Brotherhood, Black Business Society, FratMANers and Sports Business Initiative.

Cole said he has a vision for San Diego State and plans to unify the university by making sure all student voices are heard.

“My biggest goal is reengaging student groups on campus who feel like they have lost their identity with Associated Students,” Cole said. “Those students were a core of A.S. and brought a lot of great ideas. “

In addition to rebuilding bonds with student groups, he also plans to engage other facets of campus, such as ROTC members and athletes, who have not previously been involved with A.S.

Cole said he has shadowed the past three A.S. presidents, which has helped him develop ideas.

He plans to utilize designee positions to boards for campus club leaders to represent their organizations and build a stronger A.S. Cole also wants to establish monthly meetings with departments across campus to encourage student participation.

“In the past, we’ve had these designee spots. They’re really supposed to serve as a liaison for these executive officers,” Cole said. “We just need a little bit more follow up and reflection.”

'via Blog this'

Greeks in the 113th Congress

(Update: fixed  a broken link.)
NIC Blog | North-American Interfraternity Conference - advocating and assisting the fraternity experience

The Fraternity Government Relations Coalition (FGRC) monitors election results each year to keep track of Greek members of Congress.

FGRC is a collaborative effort of the NIC, National Panhellenic Conference, and the Fraternity Sorority Political Action Committee. Learn more at FGRCgreek.org.

At the time of this publication, 37% of the Senate and 23.4% of the House is Greek.

Senate (13 Democrats, 1 Independant, 23 Republicans)
House of Representatives (40 Democrats, 62 Republicans)

Click for a list of Greek members in the 113th Congress.

Paul Ryan’s Frat Brothers Are ‘Excited For His Candidacy’

(Ed. Note The sole point of this article is to show how fraternity men are primed to get ahead. No endorsement of any candidate is intended or implied, nor should one be inferred.)

Paul Ryan’s Frat Brothers Are ‘Excited For His Candidacy’ | Politicker: "

The Delta Tau Delta logo.
(Photo: MiamiUDelts.com)

During his time at Miami University in Ohio, Mitt Romney’s newly-minted running mate, Paul Ryan, was a member of the Gamma Upsilon chapter of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity. Joseph Gorman, the sergeant at arms of Miami’s Delta Tau Delta chapter, spoke to The Politicker about how the fraternity’s current members are reacting to the news of Mr. Ryan’s selection.

“It’s definitely positive for Greek life on Miami’s campus,” said Mr. Gorman. “It pushes the opportunity to see Greek life as a positive thing.”

Mr. Gorman also said the Delta Tau Delta brothers are expecting Mr. Ryan to visit their frat house, which is known as “The Shelter,” sometime soon.

“I hear that he may come back very soon since he’s been chosen for this.” said Mr. Gorman."

'via Blog this'

"Judge Mitch" - Run, Mitch, Run

It is not this blog's policy to endorse any candidate for public office and I certainly am not qualified to speak about Delaware politics. However, I have seen first hand Mitch's commitment to SigEp and our principles and can say he is absolutely worthy of serious consideration in any endeavor. I honestly did not even look to see if he was part of "my" party or not.

David Stollman and Steve Hofstetter apparently think so too. They both asked that I put this letter (from David to Steve) in the blog. I am happy to do so.

"Judge Mitch"

Steve,

I’ve never sent an email asking for a birthday gift before, but I am now.

Mitch Crane has been a friend and mentor since my college days at Maryland. Twice he came and tried save my chapter from self destruction. He taught me the true meaning of fraternal commitment.

I learned from him as he mentored me through my start in this field as a speaker, then starting CAMPUSPEAK, then even through the launching of HazingPrevention.org. Through the years I came to know what a caring and deeply devoted person he is. Recently he came to me, and for the first time, asked for my help. He rarely asks others for help even though he so often offers it, so I couldn’t miss the chance to give back.

As I talked with other people I learned he has helped them in many small and large ways. Mentoring them as a professional working with students. Answering questions about legal issues in higher ed. Giving advice on how to reach students with a message. Maybe he has helped you in one of these ways. Please think back and consider helping him now.

For the past few years instead of speaking on campuses, he has been working in the Department of Insurance for the state of Delaware. Even though his focus was away from higher ed professionally, I still called on him regularly for advice and support. Maybe you did as well. Just a few days ago Mitch announced he is running for office again after many decades away from public service. He sees this as his last big way to give back to others.

It is our chance to help him.

“All my life I have fought for causes: civil rights, student rights, political reform, fraternity reform. After fighting for change from within the office, I finally left the Department of Insurance in January because of disagreements with how consumers were being affected. When party leaders and elected officials asked me to consider running for Commissioner, I found a new purpose and a new way to make a difference. I know that fighting this fight not only extends but is a great culmination of my public life: doing well by doing good.”

www.mitchcranefordelaware.com

He is in a tough primary and needs help. I know these are hard financial times. It isn’t the amount that you give, but just giving your support matters. If for no other reason than to thank Mitch for the many ways he has helped you, or the fraternal movement over the years. Please consider giving $25, $50, $100, or more if you can. And, just as importantly, please ask 5 people to give as well.

You can give at his website with a credit card or through paypal and of course you can mail a check to:

Mitch Crane for Delaware
37232 Lighthouse Road
Box 212
Selbyville, DE 19975

So right now, please, cut and paste text from my message that you want, add your own words and ask just 5 people whom you think Mitch has helped over his 30 years advancing the fraternal movement. If we can spread our network wide enough and get many small and medium sized gifts, he will not only feel our support but we can make a difference advancing his campaign.

Thanks in advance for this gift.

David

David Stollman
7 East 8th Street #313
New York, NY 10003
917.318.6338
stollman@campuspeak.com

Coming soon: ' iCollege' app

Fresh from The Daily Show" (via Gregg Presbury)

Wired Campus  (wiredcampus):
Minn. Governor: Students Will Stop Hauling Keisters to Class, Start Downloading $199 'iCollege' http://tinyurl.com/2w4am4q
http://twitter.com/wiredcampus/status/15963471314
(Sent via Seesmic http://www.seesmic.com)
Gregg's Droid sent this.

Thanks, Gregg

Welcome to the Phoenix Conclave - now show me your papers!

Update - Please vote your preference in the poll on the sidebar. We will let HQ know the result so they can see what the "rank and file" want. Thanks.

The more I see and hear about the new law in Arizona requiring law enforcement personnel to ask anyone "suspicious" for proof of legal status, the more I wonder if it is a place for a biennial celebration of the principles of "Virtue, Diligence, and Brotherly Love."

I am proud of SigEp's heritage of being different by championing of diversity. What that means as a practical matter is that next August a number of our Conclave attendees will look 'different', and possibly 'suspicious,' when they arrive at the Arizona customs center airport. Let's hope everyone remembers to bring a passport or at least a birth certificate so they can avoid spending conclave in an ICE holding cell.

Most who read this post would, I believe, like to see some sort of progress made toward a) making our southern border more secure, and b) finding a path to address those who have already entered the country "without due process." The political and economic factors are complicated and I don't pretend to have an answer, but I do know that people who are here legally by birth or by process deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. I may joke about needing a "Texas Passport" but the Arizona law is way too close to that in reality for my comfort.

The new law in Arizona is a refutation of a long held principle in America of freedom to move about. "Show me your papers" is the sort of thing you see in movies about eastern European countries during the cold war, or Gemany in WWII, not in 21st century America. Of course Arizona as a state can make its own laws. That is one of the benefits of being an American state. But if we don't agree with the actions we are not required to enable them. There is no reason to fatten Arizona tax coffers if we don't agree with their actions.

Allow me to make a modest proposal - Move Conclave out of Arizona next year. Don't favor the state with any economic help to keep people in a second class status. Yes, I know the deal was signed long before the bill was even brought up. Yes, I know it will be difficult to find and set up another venue. But isn't it worth the effort? What good is it to say "This Fraternity Will be Different" if we won't be different and make a stand? How can we "Build leaders for the worlds communities" if we don't model that leadership ourselves?

I have stated my feelings, now its time for others to let our leadership know how you feel. You may not share my opinion. Fine, let's hear another viewpoint.

"Capital Fraternal Caucus" on Facebook

Dan Backer sent a message to the members of the Facebook group "Capital Fraternal Caucus."

Subject: Support the 2010 Congressional advocacy day – update your status on Tuesday!

On Tuesday, 4/20, nearly 250 national fraternity and sorority leaders from across the country, including almost 100 outstanding student leaders, will be on Capitol Hill to advocate for passage of the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act (CHIA) (H.R.1547/S.781). With more than 180 House sponsors and nearly 30 Senate sponsors already, momentum is building to make this the year CHIA becomes law. When passed, CHIA means better, safer, and expanded not-for-profit housing for hundreds of thousands of college students nationwide, including the 250,000 students each year who call fraternity and sorority houses their home away from home.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT – on Tuesday, we’re asking all the members of this FaceBook group to change your status message to:

“I support the national fraternity and sorority leaders who are in Washington D.C. today advocating for the 2010 passage of the Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act (H.R. 1547/S.781) and I'm asking my Senators and Representative to be part of the solution for better, safer, and more affordable not-for-profit student housing. If you support our students too, please copy this message to your FaceBook profile today!”

If you are not part of the effort, I encourage you to join, or at least post that status on your Facebook page.

Greek housing is a significant portion of on-campus/near-campus housing for students. Donors to the colleges for housing get a tax deduction for their donations, but Greek housing currently does not enjoy the same tax break. The bill being proposed would offer a break to Greek housing donors too.

Arkansas House speaker (and SigEp) launches bid for Congress

Gary Bunn and Gary Huff alerted us to this alumni news:

Robbie Willis, Central Arkansas '91, is a former RD, the painter of silhouettes of the founding fathers that hang at Conclave, and Arkansas' current Speaker of the House. He is now running for U.S. Congress.

Arkansas House speaker launches bid for Congress - NewsFlash - al.com

TX Alpha SigEp may be next Senator

This just in from former Grand President Gary Griffith:
"Reading the Houston Chronicle story (link below) it appears that Texas Alpha Brother Michael Williams (Renaissance - 2008) is a final contender for appointment to the US Senate that should come in next 60 days. If Michael receives the appointment from Governor Perry we need to mobilize to help him stay there.
Gary"

PS: Michael's Campaign Manager and Political Director are Sig EPs also.

Jay Janner Austin American-Statesman Railroad
Commissioner Michael Williams tops the list of Gov. Rick Perry's potential appointees to replace U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who's running against Perry in the GOP primary.

Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams is emerging as a favorite to be named as U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's successor if she resigns to run for governor, creating the possibility he could become the first black U.S. senator from Texas.

If chosen by Gov. Rick Perry, Williams also would be the only black Republican in a Senate where the GOP is battling the nation's first black president on health care and global warming. The only other black senator is a Democrat from Illinois who replaced President Barack Obama. If appointed, Williams would be only the fifth black to serve in the Senate since Reconstruction.

Favorite to succeed Hutchison would make history Houston & Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Stimulus: Billions to colleges and students

Stimulus, Schimulus, what's in it for me? As a hard working middle-aged white guy who got a mortgage I could afford and has a bit saved up in a 401-K (though not as much as last year) - not much. But my kids, who are in college now, and many of the SigEps reading this blog may have a chance at some stimulus largess...

The stimulus plan emerging in Washington could offer an unprecedented, multibillion-dollar boost in financial help for college students trying to pursue a degree while they ride out the recession.

It could also hand out billions to the states to kick-start idled campus construction projects and help prevent tuition increases at a time when families can least afford them.
[...]
"We're ready to go, there's great jobs involved, and we're educating kids who wouldn't have other opportunities if we weren't there," Chuck Middleton, president of Roosevelt University in downtown Chicago, said Sunday. His university has a $135 million new building with classrooms, labs, dorms and offices on hold after financing dried up. Construction could be under way in six months, he says, providing 600 jobs for two years while helping Roosevelt's diverse student body.

Also helping students, the House and Senate both call for expanding the Hope tuition tax credit from $1,800 to $2,500 and making it partly refundable. Now, almost half of families with children pay no income tax, so the current tuition tax-credit system doesn't help them (the full benefit kicks in for families earning at least $43,000).

There is more, including the disclaimers about what is getting cut, but lets hope those idiots in Washington stumble over each other and get it right, this time. Maybe there is even hope for the bill authorizing tax deductions for fraternity house building and renovation contributions.

WHO GETS WHAT: Billions to colleges and students - Yahoo! News

Rivals in politics still brothers in fraternity

Both the candidates for U.S. Senator from Georgia are members of the same college fraternity. Incumbent Saxby Chambliss(R) and his challenger James Martin(D) were members of Sigma Chi at the University of Georgia. Their pledge classes were two years apart, and Chamblis worked to recruit Martin.

Martin alluded to the Sigma Chi connection at a recent Johns Creek political forum where he warmly embraced Julianne Chambliss, who was subbing for her husband at the event.

“Saxby’s circle of friends were a little bit older than mine,” Martin said Thursday. “But we were, and still are, friends. I never take politics personally.”

Chambliss said he and Martin were two years apart at UGA but attended many of the same Sigma Chi functions. The two often ran in different circles, Chambliss said, socializing with classmates of the same age much of the time.
[...]
Macon attorney Jerry Harrell, 63, was in Chambliss’ Sigma Chi class at Georgia. The two were friends —- they once sold fruitcakes together for a summer job. Harrell said Martin got into the frat with Chambliss’ enthusiastic backing.

“Saxby and I pledged him up,” Harrell said. “We were a really close-knit as a fraternity. We studied together, and we played together. It was great fun. We were all very close.”

The current members of the chapter are excited to have two of their own engaged in the race.

Current UGA Sigma Chi chapter president Dixon Revell, 22, of Augusta said the race is a frequent topic of discussion at the Athens frat house these days.

A portrait of Chambliss hangs in the house as part of the “Significant Sig,” display —- six frat brothers who have achieved “outstanding distinction” in their professions.

Revell said his 130 frat brothers have not taken a straw poll on the race. And he does not plan one.

“We have people leaning both ways,” he said. “We’re just very proud that we have two frat brothers running for the U.S. Senate.”

The race in Georgia is not over yet. Because Georgia law requires a 50% +1 majority the two Sigma Chi rivals will meet in a runoff later this year.

Rivals in politics still brothers in fraternity | ajc.com

On Politics - Breaking News, Election 2008 & Presidential Candidates

Steve Dorsey from American University sent this in:

Several of our chapter brothers here at D.C. Delta-American University conducted a months-long poll on the potential affect of youth voters in the 2008 presidential campaign. The poll and analysis were just posted to USAToday.com this evening.

Thanks, Steve. The link goes to a long list of short items and "our" piece is pretty far down the page, so we have copied it here.

Our disclaimer: S&P is not taking sides in the election, We are trying to showcase work by and about SigEps in many contexts.

Analysis: 20-point gap between Obama & McCain among young voters

New_warning Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama holds a 58%-38% lead over Republican John McCain among voters ages 18 to 29, according to research done by students from American University's School of Communication in conjunction with USA TODAY and Gallup.

Obama's lead among young voters has narrowed since mid-September, when it stood at 29 percentage points, but he retains a "clear advantage," adds the AU Polling Analysis of Young Voters in the 2008 Election. (AU's summary of its findings is here.)

The latest numbers are based on an Oct. 13-19 USA TODAY/Gallup Poll of 598 people in the age group. The results have a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points.

Other details from the AU analysis:

• Young voters say "dealing with the economic crisis" is the most important issue facing the nation -- 91% said that is "extremely" or "very" important. Close behind were "creating jobs" (82%) and "making health care more available and affordable" (81%).

• Obama came out ahead of McCain as being better able to handle those and other important issues. Two-thirds of the group said he would do a more effective job handling the economy, health care and the environment.

On Politics - Breaking News, Election 2008 & Presidential Candidates

Vote wisely. Vote Well. Vote now.

The right to vote is one of the most precious rights we have in this country. "We the people" get to choose who will lead us and who will represent us in Congress, in our states and in our local municipalities. We at S&P urge all SigEps to due their civic duty and vote in the elections next week. Many states have an early voting program and you can avoid the rush and crush of election day by taking advantage of the early voting options. Plus, you can get a head start on celebrating your candidate's win (or mourning the loss).

The presidential election this year is one of the most hotly contested that I have seen - and I have been a political junky since the days of Barry Goldwater and Lyndon Johnson. No matter which candidate you favor, chances are you see a win by the other side as a step down the road to ruin. The only way to have any affect on the race is to go and vote your beliefs. With so many people expected to turn out this year - the early voting in Texas is double 2004 - you may think that your vote will not make a difference. I would remind you of Florida in 2000. Less than a 1000 vote margin ultimately decided the course of the country for the next 8 years. Whether you think that course was the correct one or not, imagine how those Florida voters who did not bother to vote feel about their choice. Once when I was in college and working on the Mayor's race my candidate lost by 29 votes. Don't tell me "it doesn't matter"!

SigEp proudly claims to be "building balanced leaders for the worlds communities." One of the obligations of a leader is to participate in the change he would make. What better way to practice that on a personal level than to help chose the path our country will take?

Go. Vote. Now. You will feel good about yourself. You also get the right to bitch about those jerks in Washington when they screw everything up - again!

McClellan Endorses Obama

(Yes, I know, we usually don't make political statements here. But this was so out-of-the blue I couldn't resist.)

As my friend Steven said: "Maybe now we can give him his Citation back."

Scott McClellan, President Bush's former press secretary, says he is backing Barack Obama for president.

McClellan made the endorsement during a taping of Comedian D.L. Hughley's new show that is premiering on CNN this weekend.

McClellan Endorses Obama

Don't Vote - ???

What do you say to this video?

The most important election in recent memory takes place in about a month. Are you going to vote? Are you registered? Why the hell not?

Go ahead. Don't vote. That means I get to decide - is that what you want?

Michelle Obama Becomes a Greek

Michelle Obama Joins Alpha Kappa Alpha, a Historically Black Sorority
The Chronicle of Higher Education

Michelle Obama has accepted an invitation to become an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, ending weeks of speculation on historically black college campuses about which, if any, sorority she would join.

Ms. Obama did not join a sorority while a undergraduate at Princeton, and Alpha Kappa Alpha, which was founded at Howard University in 1908, did not have a chapter on the campus at the time.

The sorority, which also counts Brown University President Ruth J. Simmons among its honorary members, told the New York Times that once Mrs. Obama is inducted into the sorority, she cannot join any of the other “divine nine,” as black sororities and fraternities are often called.

But a spokeswoman for Ms. Obama said that her membership was non-exclusive.
“She looks forward to working with all of them to help bring change to their communities,” the spokeswoman told the Times.

The Lackey's Revenge - More commentary about "Scotty"

The New York observer has apparently read Scott McClellan's book, which is more than I have done. I did, however skim their review of it and gleaned this little-known tidbit:

"PROPERLY EXECUTED, the White House memoir is an art form crafted according to a carefully established set of rules. The protagonist must present himself as having arrived in Washington a naif, come only to serve president and country. He may include formative episodes that establish his purity and strength of character. Mr. McClellan writes that while attending the University of Texas, he resigned as president of Sigma Phi Epsilon to protest the fraternity’s practice of hazing pledges."

Just a hunch, but I don't think The NYO is impressed with the book...

The other big problem with What Happened is Mr. McClellan’s failure to credibly account for his belated volte-face. Why didn’t he speak up sooner? If he doubted the "propaganda campaign" and the war it launched, then why not resign in protest? This is, after all, a man who quit Sig Ep because drunken freshmen were being paddled—yet he chose to remain in the White House until his ineptitude violated even the perilously low standards of the Bush administration and he was shown the door.

Maybe he should have sponsored a Spelling Bee?

The Lackey's Revenge | The New York Observer

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.

SigEp elected Student Body President at Drake

Barack Obama isn't the only political type who had a good day on Tuesday.

Kuhle elected Drake's student body president

Kevin Kuhle, of Hazel Green, Wis., recently was elected student body president at Drake University.

Kuhle, a junior in politics and public relations, is an orientation leader, peer mentor academic consultant and member of the student senate. He is also involved with other campus organizations, including the Drake College Republicans and Sigma Phi Epsilon social fraternity.

Established in 1986, Drake University's Student Senate is made up of 24 members.

Drake is a private, independent university in Des Moines, with an enrollment of approximately 3,200 full-time undergraduate students from 45 states and 62 countries.

TH - Local News Article