Making those old friends new again

Good press in a student newspaper. Congratulations to the EIU SigEps on winning the Airband and Greek Sing event. Click the link for the full article.

Column: Making those old friends new again - The Daily Eastern News: Opinion:
I can only imagine how members of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity felt on Monday morning. After all, they came out this past weekend as victors of Airband and Greek Sing. I’m sure they didn't just high five each other and hit the sack early for a good night’s rest for Monday classes.

These are all assumptions of course, but in case they went out and had some fun, it was completely deserved.

These two events are not just gigs that you cram for over night. I’m not going to start a Rocky pump up speech on how much blood, sweat, and tears members of the Greek community mustered, but give these guys and gals some credit.

Events like these require planning, collaboration, and loads of practice. In order to win, you need to hit every cue, every step, and every note. In this case, is which the members of Sig Ep did this past weekend.

Non-Stories and False Follow-ups can Negatively Impact Chapter Reputation

One of the frustrating parts of managing this blog is trying to find a real story among all the innuendo-packed filler pieces the news media publishes when they don't have real news.

The following two links are examples of the kind of non-story pieces that in essence say "we can't find out anything new so lets rehash all the 'coulda, shoulda, maybe' accusations just to keep people talking." There is no real information in them. Instead, accusations are flung anew and officials quoted give variations on the "I'm not saying anything of substance" theme.

Normally we ignore these articles in favor of items with some real information. But just for today look over these two examples and think about how even a party at a recent graduate's house, or an errant fire alarm, could trigger a wave of accusations and substance-free reporting that will harm your campus reputation. Be sure to check out the full articles via the links provided.

Example 1:
Sigma Phi Epsilon president hopes suspension ends soon - The Shorthorn : Campus:

Christofer Slocum hopes the interim suspension placed on his fraternity, Sigma Phi Epsilon, is lifted by the end of next week so members can resume organizational activities.

Slocum, Sigma Phi Epsilon president, said UTA began questioning Sigma Phi Epsilon members Monday about accusations that the fraternity held an unregistered party, provided alcohol to a minor and that a sexual assault occurred at the chapter house Sept. 7.

Slocum denied accusations that a sexual assault occurred and denied hosting an unregistered party that night. Student Conduct officials told fraternity members the investigation could be wrapped up within two weeks, he said.

University spokeswoman Kristin Sullivan wouldn’t confirm the dates Student Conduct officials began questioning Sigma Phi Epsilon, or any of the other four fraternities placed under interim suspension in connection with Bid Day activities Sept. 7. She also could not confirm when the investigations are expected to end.

“All the investigations have begun, none of those have been resolved, and there has not been any formal hearing process. That’s not where we’re at. We’re in the investigative process,” Sullivan said.
[...]
Slocum said the fraternity did not hold an unregistered party. Instead, members attended a party at the home of an alumnus who was celebrating a new job.

“I have no control over what a graduate of UTA does at his residence,” Slocum said.

The accusations have caused damages to the fraternity’s reputation and has cost them about $10,000 in member dues, Slocum said.

Example 2:
Stetson investigating fraternity for hazing | News-JournalOnline.com:
DELAND — Stetson University is looking into what officials called an “alleged hazing incident” from over the weekend involving the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.

The university’s on-call team of professional staff responded to a fire alarm early Sunday at the on-campus fraternity, said Chris Kandus-Fisher, vice president for Stetson’s student affairs. The DeLand Fire Department also responded.

The response team “saw something in question” and are investigating and talking to students along with Stetson’s public safety department, Kandus-Fisher said.

“We are not sure what happened,” he said, “but any time there is a violation to our community code of conduct we take it seriously and do a complete investigation and determine if there are charges we follow up on.”

The university has not determined whether any hazing was involved, he said. Stetson has five houses on Fraternity Circle, and each houses about 25 male students.

Translation: "They're organized. We aren't. Boo-Hoo"

How the Greeks Killed Democracy - Opinion - Daily Campus - Southern Methodist University: "America prides itself in being one of the oldest democracies in the world-- by the people and for the people. But modern politics has deviated from Aristotle’s original mean. The leaders of our country are not the common man.

Oil tycoons, business heirs, and stock investors dictate the political culture and public policy of our nation. The New York Times found nearly half of Congressmen are millionaires, with a median net worth of $913,000. Congress is made of an established and rising aristocracy.

SMU proves no different.

For the past two years, a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon has controlled Student Senate. As current President Austin Prentice steps down from his post next year, unopposed candidate Alex Mace plans replace him. Mace is a member of SigEp too.

Sig Ep is just one of the many Interfraternity Council chapters on campus. The Office of Fraternity & Sorority Life reports active IFC member costs can range from $1200 to $2450 per semester.  In short, Greek students have some money.
...
Forty-one percent of the student population at SMU is in a fraternity or sorority. Sixty percent of the candidates running for Student Senate are Greek.  While the numbers may not be identical, they match an overwhelming theme of Greek rule.
Greek order has killed democracy at SMU. The ruling order is an aristocracy branded by arrows, keys, dragons and crescent moons.  Tight race or not, it is a safe bet to assume Greeks will dominate the Student Senate executive board."
'via Blog this'

Ryan Price: Student; Freedom Rider; SigEp

Bro. Kevin Teets passed on this YouTube clip:

Friends, this is a pretty amazing video clip on Ryan Price, the Drake President who was chosen to be a part of the Freedom Ride. Ryan has got an amazing summer ahead of him. As you know, he was also chosen for the Tragos Quest to Greece. 

 Thanks, Kevin

Greek organization image

This article in the Southern Utah Univ. student paper has a reference which stopped me in my tracks:

Marketing pioneer David Ogilvy once said, "Every advertisement should be thought of as a contribution to the complex symbol which is the brand image." Each poster and sign that an organization produces contributes the image of that group.

The next obvious question is: What do your posters say about the brand image of your chapter?
About SigEp?

OP-ED: Greek organizations must repair image - Opinion

Mastering the act of juggling - Opinion

Daniel Liu is a student at SMU. This excerpt is from an article he wrote for the campus paper about balance in life.

I am going to be honest and candid for a moment. I usually pride myself in my ability to manage my time. Well, I struggled a lot this past week to find balance in my daily activities: classes, studying, Wesley, SigEp, family, etc. What makes this past week different from any other week? Well, according to my Semester-at-a-Glance, we are now five weeks into the semester. This means in two weeks, I have three midterms and two projects due. In three weeks, we have fall break. Take a deep breath!
[...]
Are you cheating yourself? You will inherently have to choose on a daily basis what matters most to you. As a first year and sophomore, I often found myself cheating on sleep. I mean - sleeping is such a waste of time right? Other times, I would find myself too busy to eat. What an irrational thought - but people are doing this everyday. Maybe that's not you. So let me ask you this - how often have you been late for a meeting? Late for class? Late for anything? When was the last time you went to the gym or enjoyed the weather and the beauty of this campus?

Mastering the act of juggling - Opinion

Student Leader spotlight - Michigan Tech Lode

This week’s student spotlight subject is Robert (Bob) Niffenegger, president of the Michigan Tech Undergraduate Student Government. He’s a fourth-year physics major, a brother in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and one of the most active individuals on the campus of Michigan Tech.
[...]
Bob joined Sig Eps in the fall of last year from pledge class Epsilon Beta. His experience with Sig Eps has been an extraordinarily positive influence in his life. Being a “well-balanced man” is the essence of the experience for Sig Eps brothers, and Bob’s ambitions fit right in with that mentality.

“Being a well-balanced man means everything to me. Sound body, sound mind. It’s the development of yourself as a person and finding how you can better yourself,” said Bob of what his fraternity has helped him with. “The feeling of brotherhood is great. Living with a bunch of guys that are your best friends… There’s nothing better than that. It’s going to be hard to leave.”

Michigan Tech Lode

Yale Daily News - SigEp schooled in fine culture

An article in the Yale paper highlights the cultured side of SigEp there.

Marcus Hooks ’09 brought two vanilla lattes to an interview with the News last Sunday — one for himself and another for the reporter. The vice president of macro development for the Yale chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity knows how to behave like a gentleman.

Macro Development? Is this a new Exec Board office?

SigEp, known on campus as “The Gentleman’s Frat,” launched an initiative this year that brings local merchants into chapter meetings to make presentations on topics ranging from cooking lessons to wardrobe tips. While some Yalies not involved with the fraternity said they are amused at the idea of “gentleman lessons,” Hooks said the presentations are intended to teach the men of SigEp to achieve a “sound mind, sound body,” in keeping with the fraternity’s philosophy of balance in members’ personal lives.
[...]
SigEp Brothers have so far received tutorials from a jeweler, who taught them how to pick princess-cut diamonds and distinguish between platinum and white gold, and a clothing saleswoman, who instructed them on how to tie a Windsor knot.
[...]
Hooks said the speakers help save the SigEp brothers from social blunders by teaching them proper etiquette.

“Guys want to know how to pull off jewelry without looking like a rapper,” Hooks said.

Gabe Friedman ’10, a SigEp member, said he picked up tips on appropriate attire for professional interviews and formal occasions from Lucy Quagliato, a saleswoman at Raggs, a local men’s clothing store. Quagliato’s presentation dealt with popping collars — whether they are a trendy statement or a fashion faux pas.

The chapter noted increased meeting attendance for the sessions, which would indicate there is interest in learning the "soft skills" of presentation and interaction. However, the reporter seems to be making subtle jabs at the concept that guys might possibly be interested in fashion or jewelry in a "not that there's anything wrong with that" sort of way.

Journalistic bias aside, the article does offer some interesting ideas. Would your chapter benefit from having local merchants give a short information session at a chapter meeting? Would meeting attendance increase? But most importantly, ...who the hell wears a Windsor knot with a popped collar anyway?

Yale Daily News - SigEp schooled in fine culture

UCA fraternity wins national Outstanding Chapter Award - UCA Today

Here is an excellent example of how a well written press release can get "good ink" for your chapter.

UCA fraternity wins national Outstanding Chapter Award

The Arkansas Zeta Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at the University of Central Arkansas was awarded the highest individual chapter honor during its 52nd biannual Conclave in Atlanta, Georgia. The Buchanan Outstanding Chapter Award recognizes chapters that excel in all areas of chapter operations, including academics, recruitment, finances and member development.

SigEp has consistently ranked first in academics and membership among all UCA fraternities. Most recently, the chapter's cumulative grade point average was 3.25, which exceeds by 0.4 points the University’s interfraternity council average of 2.85. With over 100 members, the chapter maintains active campus and community involvement, serving in active roles with student government, with the University’s new student orientation program, and in philanthropic efforts to raise money for the Fraternity’s national charity, YouthAIDS.

Founded in 1901 in Richmond, Virginia, Sigma Phi Epsilon is the largest collegiate fraternity with more than 14,000 undergraduate members at 260 chapters nationwide. With its commitment of "building balanced leaders for the world's communities," the national fraternity devotes nearly $1 million annually to support its educational and developmental programming.

Note how the specific reason for the notice is first, followed by more general information about the chapter, and finally the standard "boilerplate" - one paragraph of the history and distinctive characteristics of the national fraternity.

UCA fraternity wins national Outstanding Chapter Award - UCA Today

A toast to double standards

The University of Arizona "Wildcat Online" has an editorial about how Greeks are treated differently than others where alcohol is concerned - and not in a good way.

Fraternities and sororities are constantly being watched; it's as if everyone is waiting for them to mess up. And let's be honest, this is college: Students are going to mess up regardless of whether or not they have Greek letters across their chest.

And what part did the reporting side of the paper play in this?

And as far as getting comments from greeks, it's important to know that the president is the one designated to release information to the media, or to make any official statements. So when the article says "Officials from all seven fraternities declined to comment," one would assume that the each president was contacted and refused to comment.

Neither of the presidents of the two fraternities that were specifically cited within the article were asked to comment before the article ran, according to Sigma Phi Epsilon President Rhys Williams and Pi Kappa Phi President John Snowberger.

"I never declined to comment. Personally it made me look like I had something to hide," Williams said.

Sound familiar? How many other campus newspapers work the same way?

A toast to double standards - Opinions

Oh, yeah - we had the original story too.