Sanguine et Purpure

Sneak a peak at the 2011 SigEp Conclave Video

2009-11-07T21:34:00.002-06:00

Not really, but someone might want to contact the guys who did this to see if they want to help out. In spite of the totally non-PC ideas and lyrics (or because of them?) this video is pretty well done with good use of a number of special effect techniques.

The producer (Ethan Gavin) has the following disclaimer on the YouTube site where this video resides:

"this video in no way represents the view or represents Sigma phi Epsilon in any way. There was no real liquor used in this video."

Quinnipiac SigEps Surprised by Video Kudos

2009-11-06T06:34:00.002-06:00

Michael Bivona sent this from Quinnipiac University:

SigEp Blog Brothers,

Our chapter at Quinnipiac University recently received an e-mail from media services containing a promotional video about our annual Youth Aids philanthropy named “Hall Wars”. The freshmen dorms compete against each other in a variety of competitions during the daylong event. Our school’s media services surprised us with this video as we usually are the ones making promotions for the event. We were hoping you could share this video on the blog for the rest of the brothers to see and possibly get ideas from.

How great is that? Not only is SigEp sponsoring a fantastic philanthropy project, but their name is on every T-shirt in the competition and the University is promoting it with a professionally produced video.

SigEp at NKU Holds Drive To Help Brighton Center

2009-11-04T15:00:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Bro. Dave Wenzel for pointing this out:

HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. -- A fraternity at Northern Kentucky University is holding an emergency drive to raise funds and supplies for the Brighton Center.

Sigma Phi Epsilon will hold the drive from Nov. 5-12, in the Student Union lobby at NKU.

The Brighton Center provides a variety of services to families in need throughout Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Last year alone the center served over 66,000 individuals and families through 41 different programs. This year the center is finding it difficult to continue this commitment to the community as almost all funds have been depleted.

“The Brighton Center is a cornerstone of our community that needs our support," said Mike Gardner, executive officer of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

NKU Frat Holds Drive To Help Brighton Center

UNK Sig Eps Raise Money for MD Cure

2009-11-03T09:23:00.001-06:00

UNK fraternity organizes muscular dystrophy fundraiser
By SARA GIBONEY Hub Staff Writer

KEARNEY - Sigma Phi Epsilon at the University of Nebraska at Kearney is working to raise funds to help find a cure for muscular dystrophy.

The "SigEp Stride & Ride" will be from 6-11 p.m. Nov. 13 at the Cushing Fieldhouse at UNK. All proceeds will go to the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

"It's an amazing cause and an amazing way for the Kearney community to come together to raise money for an association like this and help to raise money for the cure," said Brock Blankenship, philanthropy chair of Sigma Phi Epsilon.

Muscular dystrophy is a disorder that affects the function of muscles and causes muscle weakness.

The fraternity's walk-a-thon aims to raise both money and awareness for muscular dystrophy.

"We had heard from a lot of our chapters in different states and cities that a lot of their philanthropies were through the MDA and they were a huge success," Blankenship said. "The MDA is very, very compassionate toward the cause."

Kyle McBride, vice president of programming for Sigma Phi Epsilon and the main organizer for the event, said he was doing research on philanthropies for the fraternity and was moved by the MDA's summer camp program for kids.

"It brought back my memories of summer camp when I was a kid," he said. "Summer camp helped build who I am now."

"When I was contacting people, it just struck an interest with me."

Sigma Phi Epsilon hopes to raise $10,000 for the cause.

Individuals can join teams and collect donations before the event. During the event, teams will walk the track in the fieldhouse. The team that raises the most money will win a golden shoe trophy.

So far, about five teams have signed up. The fraternity hopes 20 more teams will register.

McBride said teams can walk as long as they want during the event.

Sponsors can also pay to advertise during the event.

Students will sell cause bracelets during the fundraiser. Proceeds will also go to MDA. Refreshments will also be served during the walk-a-thon.

According to its Web site, MDA is a non-profit health agency that works to cure muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's Disease) and related diseases by funding worldwide research.

The MDA sponsors 220 hospital-affiliated clinics and supports almost 400 research projects around the world. The association's comprehensive service program includes medical examinations, flu shots, support groups, MDA summer camps for children and assistance with the purchase of wheelchairs and leg braces.

To sign up, go to joinmda.org/kearneynestrideandride2009 or for more information call Kyle McBride at 440-0811.

If you dream it, it will happen!

2009-11-02T20:43:00.002-06:00

If you dream it, they will join it…
by Matt Mattson from our friends at Phired Up Productions

The best student leaders aren’t interested in helping you maintain the status quo. They might, however, be highly interested in co-creating a wild, bold, spectacular dream with you. If you can inspire them with what is to be, if you can dream a remarkable dream… then they might be interested. What do you want your fraternity/sorority to become? Watch the video and we dare you to make a two sentence statement on Facebook and Twitter stating what you want to create

http://tinyurl.com/iwantmy

TX Alpha SigEp may be next Senator

2009-11-02T12:40:00.006-06:00

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

Thought for the Weekend - November 1, 2009

2009-11-01T06:13:00.002-06:00

"As a member of an ideal fraternity, the resources of every member of that body are my resources, the product of their lives is my daily life. The Fraternity is a common storehouse for experience, moral rectitude, and spirituality; the larger and purer the contribution of the individual, the greater the resources of each member."
Lucian Baum Cox - Journal, Vol 1, No 1. March 1904
1879-1971

Happy Halloween - SigEp Pumpkins!

2009-10-30T23:53:00.001-05:00

Our friends at SigEpic.com had a SigEp themed pumpkin carving contest. Lots of fun pictures on their FaceBook page.

(From New Jersey Alpha - Matt Nebesny)

Sig Ep Dominates Quidditch at Quinnipiac

2009-10-29T22:05:00.002-05:00

Quidditch comes to Quinnipiac
Andrew Timothy

To Quinnipiac's student body, the sport of Quidditch is no longer a game solely played in "Harry Potter" novels and films.

On Sunday, the Student Programming Board brought the game of Quidditch to Quinnipiac for the first time. Students formed individual teams of seven students on each side. Each team is complete with two beaters (defensemen), three chasers (offense), a goalkeeper, a seeker and a snitch. The object of Quidditch is to score as many points possible, earned by throwing the ball into the opposing team's goal or catching the opposing team's snitch. Players must run with a broom between their legs to simulate the high-flying games of the "Harry Potter" series.

Vincent Bond, a sophomore and the chair of Special Events and Traditions for the Student Programming Board, worked to bring Quidditch to Quinnipiac after seeing the event held on other campuses.

"I thought it would be a cool idea to bring Quidditch to Quinnipiac, especially after hearing that it has been played at other schools," Bond said.

Victoria Adler, SPB's Multiculture chair, thought Quidditch would be a unique and attractive event.

The proceeds of the event's raffle went to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York.

Free food and drink was also available at the event.

Turnout was strong, with more than eight teams participating in the tournament. Notable was the presence of Greek organizations, such as Sigma Phi Epsilon, Alpha Delta Pi and Tau Kappa Epsilon.

"I never thought I'd be playing Quidditch at college," senior Freddy Rodriguez, a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon team, said. "This is hysterical and unbelievable."

"We came to Quidditch out of love of Harry Potter, to support SPB and most importantly, to support philanthropy," Kristen Murusky said.

"I came to Quidditch to help out SPB, and because this is a unique opportunity to hold an event which hasn't transpired at QU before," Dan Kent, a sophomore SigEp member, said. "I also feel this event is a good way to represent Sigma Phi Epsilon and Greek life in general. Quidditch on the Quad is a useful recruitment tool."

"Hermione's Boyfriends," a team of SigEps, bested "Kenny and the Brunettes," a team comprised of female SPB members, by a score of 140-0 to win the tournament.

Blind Golfer San Diego Sig Ep

2009-10-28T06:30:00.002-05:00

Blindness won't be his handicap
Recent diagnosis doesn't sidetrack local golfer
By Ed Zieralski
Union-Tribune Staff Writer

Legally blind Jeremey Poincenot sets up a putt with the help of his father, Lionel Poincenot (left). - Ed Zieralski photo

Jeremy Poincenot will never forget his playing partner in his first round of golf at the recent 64th Annual U.S. Blind Golf Association Championships in Texas.
John Cassolo, of Connecticut, shot 324 in that first round. He improved to score 177 in the second, the best turnaround of any golfer in the field. “After the round, I shook his hand and told him it was good playing golf with him,” Poincenot said. “He just grabbed my hand and said, ‘I had a blast. How about you?’ ”

Amazingly, Poincenot took third place in his second blind golf tournament ever, shooting 97-88, but understandably, it was the last place he ever thought he'd be playing golf.

Last October, Poincenot had just turned 19 years old when he started having vision problems.

He soon learned that the problem wasn't going to be corrected with eyeglasses.
By January, he was diagnosed with Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON), a rare genetic disorder that affects only 100 or so people, mostly young males, each year in the U.S. There is no cure, no treatment. It left Poincenot legally blind, with no central vision and only limited peripheral vision.

Poincenot went from a typical college student at San Diego State, where he's a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and majoring in international business, to a young man facing unbelievable challenges.

“I was depressed at first, but I've had some great counseling, plus I have lots of friends and family who have been really supportive,” Poincenot said. “All that support has really helped me keep a positive attitude.”

What has really helped him most is that he was raised in a golfing family, where his parents gave him the gift of golf early.

His mother, Lissa, once was in marketing at TaylorMade. She met his father, Lionel, there. He worked in research and development.
A 3-handicap, Poincenot played three years of varsity golf at the San Dieguito Academy. He figured his vision loss meant the end to his days on the golf course.

“When I lost my vision, the last thing on my mind was playing golf,” Poincenot said. “I never dreamed I'd be able to play golf again, much less competitive golf. But my mom found out about the U.S. Blind Golf Association (USBGA) about six months ago. I found out I could still play golf and compete.”

Before he entered his first blind golf tournament in Lompoc, Poincenot went to PGA instructor Mike Nokes at Stadium Golf.
“I asked Mike, ‘Are you ready for a challenge? I'm legally blind, but I need help with my golf swing.’ ”

Nokes gladly accepted the challenge.
“Obviously, it felt really good to help him,” Nokes said. “What made it easier is he's a great athlete and a great golfer to begin with. He had a great swing. Plus he's a good kid who loves golf.”

The result was Poincenot lost a nasty hook.
“Mike gave me some tips that I use and he recalibrated my swing for me,” Poincenot said.
Playing in just his second USBGA tournament, the U.S. Blind Golf Association Championships two weeks ago in San Antonio, Poincenot took third place in the B-2 Division, which is for golfers with 20/1000 vision. His father was his caddie and coach, helping him select the right club, line up his feet, club face and also assisting with pace, distance and break on putts.

“Basically I give him all the information he needs to make the shot,” Lionel Poincenot said. “But he still has to make the swing.”

Poincenot tied for second, but lost a one-hole playoff to Tennessean Kevin Edwards. San Antonio's Bruce Hooper, 63, and a five-time national champion, took first in the division.
“They both said I had the potential to be the best blind golfer in the world,” Poincenot said.
His parents are thrilled that their son is not letting his vision loss sidetrack his life. Poincenot went sky-diving in the morning for his 20th birthday on Oct. 17, went surfing in the afternoon and out to dinner with his buddies. “He just changed his goals a little bit,” Lissa Poincenot said. “Now he wants to be the best blind golfer in the world.”

He also has been training for triathlons. Recently, he joined a few buddies for a ride from Santa Barbara to San Diego. They raised $3,000 for LHON research at USC's Doheny Eye Institute, where Dr. Alfredo Sadun is working to find a cure. They formed a group, Cycling Under Reduced Eyesight, or CURE.

Poincenot has spoken to fraternities and sororities about the disease.

He spoke to the Luminaires, a women's charitable group that over the past 30 years has contributed $6.5 million to the Doheny Eye Institute. The Luninaires wrote to his mother and said they were never so moved by any speaker.

Also, he and a few of his friends started a clothing line a couple of months before he lost his vision. He remains part of that company, Dienasty Select, and 10 percent of the sales of the clothes go to LHON research.

Next year, Poincenot and his dad plan to go to England, where Jeremy hopes to get invited to play in the World Blind Golf Championships and then play in the Blind British Open, both to be held on the Whittlebury Park Golf and Country Club in Northamptonshire, England.
He takes inspiration from his counselor, Dr. Robert Jackson of the San Diego Center for the Blind. “Dr. Bob,” as the family calls him, is blind, but has a wife and family and a good job.
Poincenot hopes to inspire others the way people like Cassolo, who shot 501 in two rounds at the championship, inspired him.

“The way I look at it, if by speaking to groups, if I'm an inspiration to people, friends who need it, then that's a cool thing,” he said.

Georgia Sig Eps Use Real Ghosts for Haunted House

2009-10-28T06:25:00.003-05:00

HAUNTED HISTORY: Ghost story haunts fraternity house on North Milledge
KATHLEEN DAILEY

Media Credit: DANIEL SHIREY

Fraternities and sororities (Sigma Delta Tau above) are working together to create Sig Ep's annual Haunted House.

[Click to enlarge]

Halloween approaches and with it comes what is now a campus tradition: The Sig Ep Haunted House. The brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity have been hosting a haunted house for the past 11 years to raise money for their philanthropy, UGA Miracle.

"The idea of having a haunted house came about when we moved into our current house in 1998," said Davis Webb, Sig Ep's philanthropy chair. "Legend has it that the house is really haunted by the ghost of a nine-year-old girl named Tabitha."

The story goes that years ago the house was occupied by a wealthy Athens family. The father was having financial problems, and one night he came home from work in a rage of furry and drowned his daughter Tabitha in the bathtub.

"There have been stories about eerie things happening in the house," Webb said. "Doors will shut without being touched and other strange and unexplainable things have happened."

The brothers of the fraternity decided to play off the ghost story and host an annual haunted house at their residence on North Milledge Avenue, where the event was held until 2006.

"Since people live in the house, the haunted house caused a strain on [the brothers who live there] and the house itself," Webb said. "The haunted house was creepier when it took place at the house, but we decided to move it to Legion Field to make it easier on the residents."

This year the haunted house will take place in a tent on Legion Field with rooms decorated and run by the Panhellenic sororities on campus.

"We have great involvement from the sororities," Webb said.

As part of a competition, they decorate banners to hang on their houses the week before the event, and visitors to the haunted house vote on their favorite room. The winning sorority receives $500 toward the charity of their choice.

This year, sorority sisters have gone all-out creating themes for their room to spook and scare visitors. Chi Omega has chosen to recreate the circumstances of Tabitha's death.

"We will have girls acting out the legend," said Lindsay Haack, a Chi Omega sister from Carrollton. "It is going to be really creepy."

Delta Delta Delta has chosen to make their room a swamp theme.

"We will have girls dressed up in camouflage suits and acting like scary swamp people," said sophomore Emily Pepin.

Sigma Kappa has created a "Massacre at the Carnival" theme.

"We took a poll and realized that a lot of girls in the sorority were scared of clowns," Ally Kemmerly, a sports medicine major from Dunwoody, said. "So we decided to make our room filled with creepy clowns. There will be a lot of awesome, gross fake blood."

Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity have high hopes for this year.

"Last year over 1,200 students came to the haunted house," Webb said. "This year we hope to raise $10,000 between tickets and shirt sales so we can give a large sum of money to UGA Miracle."

Pittsburg State Sig Eps Build for Habitat

2009-10-26T22:00:00.001-05:00

Habitat for Humanity breaks ground on 10th home

By ANDREW NASH

The Morning Sun

PITTSBURG — Habitat for Humanity of Crawford County has plenty to be thankful for after a groundbreaking for a new home on Sunday afternoon.

First of all, Sunday's groundbreaking was the 10th such event in the organization's recent history. Second, and most important, Habitat for Humanity will have some help.

The new home, being built at 1006 E. 14th St. in Pittsburg, will be built with the help of labor from Pittsburg State fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon. The organization is scheduled to give the help of at least 10 of its 62 members each of about 15 Saturdays between now and May.

"We wanted to start a bigger community service program and to include the whole house," said Brett Currier, Sigma Phi Epsilon president. "One of the guys, his girlfriend is part of the Habitat for Humanity, and that's how we got the idea to help out."

It's a rather unusual partnership for Habitat for Humanity, but organizers said the effort is greatly appreciated.

"It will be nice to have some young backs out there," said Gerald Luttrell, Habitat for Humanity construction manager. "It will help us a lot. What they don't have in expericence in construction they will make up in strength, youth and agility. We can plan it out a little better, and help make sure we get supplies out there ahead of time."

The project will go to help the McQueen family to build a new three-bedroom, two-bathroom home for them. Steve and Jessica McQueen have four children: Stasia, 6; Catrina, 5; John, 3; and Areana, 4 months.

The McQueens have already been working on their portion of "sweat equity." Each partner family must put in 400 hours of volunteer work, and the McQueens have worked as recently as this weekend to help out.

The McQueens said the new home would change their family tree for years to come.

"This is very important for us. With four kids, it's very important," said Steve McQueen. "It's a place our kids can grow up. It's a place they can grow up the rest of their lives. We won't have to move all the time. There'll be a big backyard that's safe. They'll have what we didn't have and have a constant home. They won't have to move school to school. It makes it hard to make friends if you're moving all the time. That's something we didn't have that they will."

Andrew Nash can be reached at andrew.nash@morningsun.net or by calling 231-2600 ext. 132.

Thought for the Weekend - October 24-25, 2009

2009-10-24T08:35:00.002-05:00

It must be remembered that there is nothing more difficult to plan, more doubtful of success, nor more dangerous to manage than the creation of a new system. For the initiator has the enmity of all who would profit by the preservation of the old institution and merely lukewarm defenders in those who would gain by the new ones.
Niccolo Machiavelli (1469 - 1527), The Prince (1513)
Italian dramatist, historian, & philosopher

TCU Sig Eps and Pi Phi's Win Iron Chef Cook-off

2009-10-23T20:12:00.003-05:00

'Iron Chef' champion judges Zeta charity cook-off "
Paige McArdle"

Media Credit: Paige McArdle

Lonesome Dove chef Tim Love (right) assistant dean and director of Student Development Carrie Zimmerman (middle) and Zeta president Aly Pollard (left) taste food made during the Zeta Tau Alpha Cook for the Crown event at Worth Hills on Thursday night.

[Click to enlarge]

Former "Iron Chef" champion and Texas native Tim Love's food has been critiqued numerous times over the years, but Thursday night, it was his turn to sit in the judge's seat.

Love was one of three judges for the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority's third annual philanthropy cook-off, Cook for the Crown, which took place in the Worth Hills parking lot. Proceeds from sponsor donations and team entry fees will be given to the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, which supports breast cancer education and awareness, said Abby Osvog, the chairwoman of the event.

Love, who has made multiple appearances on the Food Network, is well known for his Fort Worth restaurants Lonesome Dove, the Love Shack and the White Elephant Saloon. His involvement with the event enticed more people to attend, Osvog said.

Breast cancer awareness is a great cause, Love said.

"Anything I can do to help out other people, I'm always willing to do it," Love said.

Last year, the event raised more than $25,000 dollars for the Zeta Tau Alpha Foundation, Osvog said. The sorority anticipated meeting and potentially exceeding that amount this year.

The cook-off was a competition between eight teams, each of which consisted of one sorority and one fraternity. Each sorority prepared a side dish prior to the event and each fraternity prepared an entree during the cook-off and participated in several eating contests throughout the evening.

Contestants wore pink ribbons that read "ZTA" and "THINK PINK" in honor of breast cancer awareness.

Judges Love, assistant dean and director of Student Development Carrie Zimmerman, and Zeta president Aly Pollard judged teams on creativeness, appearance and taste.

Rock singer and Texas native Josh Tatum, who said he was excited to help out with the philanthropy, played a free show with his band throughout the event.

The team of Sigma Phi Epsilon and Pi Beta Phi won the cook-off, which was one of several Zeta-sponsored events that took place throughout the week. Love presented each member of the team with a $100 gift card to any one of his restaurants.

Prairie View suspends fraternity pledging after student dies

2009-10-23T09:57:00.001-05:00

Another tragic death. When will people realize that "brotherhood" is not the result of "survivor cameraderie"?

Prairie View A&M University has indefinitely suspended all pledging activities while the school and officials investigate the death of a student who collapsed during an early-morning exercise session and whose father believes might have been abandoned at a hospital by members of the fraternity he was hoping to join.

University President George C. Wright announced the suspension on Thursday, two days after the death of 20-year-old Donnie Wade.

Wade, a sophomore biology major, died either while en route or after being left at North Cypress Medical Center following the exercise session at the Hempstead High School track. Hempstead investigators say the student was a prospective member of Phi Beta Sigma and had gone to the track with about nine other prospective members and one Phi Beta Sigma member.

I have also been following the news of the people who died during a sweatlodge activity last week. They were not "Greek activities," but the elements of hazing were present: adverse conditions, peer pressure, pressure from the leaders, being told that if they did not complete the exercise they had failed - sound familiar?

Prairie View suspends fraternity pledging after student dies | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

DC Alpha Celebrates 100 Years and Gets a Belated Buchanan Cup

2009-10-22T17:54:00.005-05:00

DC Alpha Celebrates 100th Anniversary

by Gene Schurg

Friday evening October 9^th, 300 undergraduate members, alumni and guests enjoyed an evening of fellowship to celebrate the founding of the DC Alpha Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon at the George Washington University; 100 years to the day of the founding of the chapter. The weekend activities included a reception and dinner at the Washington Renaissance Hotel and an Epsilon Rite of Passage the next morning and BBQ lunch for visiting alumni.

The dinner program included the introduction of Bill and Marion Ross who graduated from GWU 60 years ago. Marion was the DC Alpha Sweetheart 60 years ago. Brother Ross joined the chapter for the Epsilon Rites on Saturday to renew his experience of the Ritual after 60 years.

Other special guests of the chapter at dinner were Keynote speaker, Grand President Garry C. Kief, Nonnie “Mom Nonnie” Cameron-Owens, Educational Foundation Trustee Troy Queen, members from the Richmond Headquarters Staff and Educational Foundation and representatives from the area SigEp Chapters.

The highlight of the evening's activities was during the keynote when Grand President Kief presented the chapter with a proclamation from the National Board of Directors commending the chapter on their 100 years of brotherhood at GWU and the awarding of a Buchanan Cup that was to be awarded in Orlando but because of an error was dropped from the program.

DC Alpha Chapter was originally founded when William L. Phillips - “Uncle Billy” - moved from Richmond in 1909 and with founder Benjamin Gaw worked with local GWU fraternity Kappa Sigma Pi to become Sigma Phi Epsilon's 33^rd chapter. In 1938, when Sigma Phi Epsilon merged with Theta Upsilon Omega the GWU chapter was absorbed into the DC Alpha SigEp chapter.

Today, DC Alpha has a membership of 115 men and consistently earns a 3.20+ GPA. The chapter has contributed over $50,000 to SigEp's national partner, YouthAIDS, through the DC Alpha Sweetheart weekend. The chapter has been recognized on the GW campus the past two years as the Fraternity of the Year.

Plan Now for Your Next Elections

2009-10-19T14:36:00.004-05:00

Make changes now to avoid endless elections
from our friends at The Apathy Myth: a Blog for America's College Student Leaders

If you are that rare and beautiful student organization that has an efficient and effective elections process, then skip this entry. If you're one of the majority of student organizations that has an elections process that's as much fun as a root canal, this is for you.

If it takes you longer than a 2-hour meeting to elect new officers, you should start working now to implement some changes to improve your process. Some people love a long and drawn-out election meeting, but the rest of us (with a life) think it's dreadful. Dreadful. Dreadful.

First, a note. I hate the concept of "slating" officers. I think it's unfair and suggests that a small group of people know better than the entire group being led. I am a fan, however, of having qualifications for those running for office (grade point averages, first and foremost), and having a process by which people become candidates. But, if four people want to run for Treasurer, I think all four should be given a chance to throw their hats in.

Here are my suggestions. Your advisor might have many more.

1. Make people register their candidacy at least two weeks in advance. Knowing who is running for offices allows the necessary conversations to happen before the election meeting. A little campaigning is a good thing. Maybe even offer some informal gatherings where people can ask the candidates questions. The two-week registration forces people to be thoughtful about running, but it also allows people to approach each candidate to ask questions. Better that they do that informally, person-to-person, than during an 8 hour elections marathon meeting. I think a group organically vetting its candidates is more fair than a slating process which is almost always biased.

2. If people want to run for multiple offices, let them file candidacies for all of those positions. Chances are, someone who puts his name in the hat for multiple offices won't be elected to any of them. You'll need to decide on a process for how you'll handle it if a person wins more than one office. For example, letting the person choose which office she wants then having a run-off for the other office she won. This might require a bylaw change, so think it through.

3. Allow the candidates to submit a written statement (200 words or less) that outlines their qualifications, their motivations for running, and their priorities if elected. Or, do it as a 3-5 point questionnaire that each candidate can fill out with brief answers. Then, distribute these to all members via website or some other means at least a week in advance of the meeting.

4. At the elections meeting, allow each candidate to nominate someone to speak on their behalf for 2 minutes. Or, allow the candidate him/herself to speak for 2 minutes. You do not need to allow time for people to speak "against" candidates. That's counter-productive. All the negatives will have circulated informally in the two weeks proceeding. Your elections should not be a vehicle for ripping people down or discrediting their leadership talents or motives.

5. If you have more than 8 officers, elect them in two batches: your top four officers at the first elections meeting, then the others at the subsequent meeting. This beats one long, draining meeting.

6. Knowing your candidates in advance allows you to do ballots which can be done at the conclusion of your elections meeting. You don't need to do voting for each office independently – that's a giant time suck.

There are probably lots of other ideas people have on how to streamline elections. If you have one, email it to me, and I'll feature it in a future posting.

My main point, however, is that if your elections are a draining, monotonous, exhausting process, then you need to start laying some groundwork NOW to make it better. If you need to make changes to your constitution or bylaws to improve the process, now is the time to do it.

Elections for many organizations are a month or so away, so take the initiative immediately to improve your process.

Tri Delta Holds Annual Fat Talk Free Week

2009-10-19T12:50:00.000-05:00

TRI DELTA COMBATS WOMEN'S BODY IMAGE ISSUES WITH FAT TALK FREE WEEK AND REFLECTIONS

Tri Delta is thrilled to launch our 2^nd Annual Fat Talk Free Week (Oct 19-23), an international 5-day body activism campaign to draw attention to body image issues and the damaging impact of the ‘thin ideal’ on women in society. Last year we launched this campaign to coincide with the introduction of the Reflections: Body Image Program, Tri Delta's award-winning body image education and eating disorders prevention program. Tri Delta co-developed Reflections with Carolyn Becker, Ph.D, FAED, of Trinity University, and the local sororities on that campus.

To date, Tri Delta has already rolled the program out to 22 Tri Delta chapters across the nation and over 34 campuses, impacting more than 6,600 women, with another 30 campuses scheduled by spring of 2010. Tri Delta is committed to educating at least 20,000 college women in coming years.

Major partners include National Organization for Women Foundation (NOW), the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and the Academy for Eating Disorders (AED), among others.

Check out the powerful Fat Talk Free Week video at www.endfattalk.org. We hope you’ll watch and forward to your friends and family today!

South Carolina SigEps Sponsor T.A.K.E. Defense

2009-10-19T08:46:00.003-05:00

T.A.K.E. Defense empowers women
Female students take part in clinic sponsored by fraternity
By Derek Legette
Staff Writer

T.A.K.E Defense, brought to campus by fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, was created in 2005, after 19-year-old Alexandra Kemp was brutally murdered by a predator. Her father, Roger Kemp, immediately concocted an idea to help women everywhere learn how to defend themselves.

“Roger Kemp is a hero for wanting to help others,” said Jill Leiker, the program’s instructor.

Leiker is an eighth-degree black belt and has been working in martial arts for over twenty years. She said it was fate that allowed she and Kemp to meet, and within six to eight months they developed a program that has trained over 37,000 women, ranging from age 12 to astonishingly 90 years old, over the past four years.

Leiker usually has fun while teaching basic defense maneuvers, and it was no different with the girls here at USC.

“It was good, the girls liked it and they did a super job,” Leiker said.
According to her, people learn better when they have fun, and the girls were indeed very enthused before and after the seminar.

“I’m really excited to learn how to protect and defend myself in a serious situation,” said Allison Lukacic, a third-year exercise science student.
Learning self-defense is invaluable in particular situations.

“It’s always good to know how to handle yourself, especially if you’re going downtown,” said Shannon Parry, a fourth-year international business student.

The girls learned about awareness, boundary settings and hands-on combat exercises. Leiker demonstrated frontal and rear attack techniques and also displayed target areas such as the eyes, groin, solar plexus and others.

The training course served its purpose and proved to be an adventurous experience for the young women. Gracie Andrews, a first-year psychology student, really enjoyed it.

“It was awesome, funny and very informative. It was definitely helpful to me,” Andrews said.

Currently in the fall, T.A.K.E. is doing its Sweet 16 tour, in which the program travels to 16 schools before the semester is over. Leiker says that Sigma Phi Epsilon did a great job of getting them to come due to their busy schedule.
The fraternity paid all expenses for T.A.K.E. to come out to Columbia for the night.

“We wanted to do this because most philanthropies were just raising money for others, so we decided to actually do something for others,” said Kyle Joseph, the fraternity’s philanthropy chair and a third-year accounting and financing student.

“I think it’s great that girls learn to defend themselves. The trainers come and give them a great experience out of goodwill.”

Even though martial arts has a strong emphasis, Leiker says it is primarily about education.

“Ninety-nine percent of the world is good, you just have to know about that one percent and how to handle them,” she said. “Education is power.”

Loyola Sig Eps Host Aids Week

2009-10-18T19:58:00.003-05:00

Sig Ep raises AIDS awareness
The fraternity hosts its first AIDS week to raise money for YouthAIDS.
By Elise Oliphant

“It starts with you,” said junior Derrick Williams, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s philanthropy chair. “Education and awareness are first and foremost in the fight against AIDS. We have to get the information out there.” Williams, along with all members of Sigma Phi Epsilon, is striving to do just that. Monday marked the start of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s first AIDS week to promote AIDS awareness and raise money for their charity, YouthAIDS. In the past, Sigma Phi Epsilon raised money for and attended the annual AIDS Walk held in west Los Angeles, but this year “We wanted to make it more of a personal experience,” said Williams. With the support of co-sponsors such as the Gay Straight Alliance, Delta Zeta and Delta Delta Delta, Sigma Phi Epsilon planned a series of new and unique events that complement the main event, “AIDS Walk LA,” according to senior business major Blake Pennington, Sigma Phi Epsilon’s vice president of programming. The week began with “Lifting for Life” that took place in Burns Recreation Center Monday through Wednesday and promoted not only AIDS awareness, but health and wellness in general. Students signed in with a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and tallied up the total pounds of weight they lifted or total distance they logged on the treadmill, bike or elliptical machine. “Our goal was to collectively lift over one million pounds and travel over one thousand miles,” said Keyon Mitchell, a senior biology major and member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. “We wanted to promote appreciation for one’s own health while encouraging students to push themselves a little harder to support AIDS affected individuals who can’t get out there and be physically active.” “Into the Light,” a film directed and produced by Peter Glen debuted in St. Rob’s Auditorium on Tuesday night and gave a firsthand account of Tanzanian sociologist Mama Lyimo’s journey to uncover the reason behind the incessant spread of AIDS in Tanzania. According to the film, 28 million people have AIDS in Africa, and 1.4 million of them live in Tanzania. Mama Lyimo revealed that it is the absence of education that allows AIDS to continue. Condoms are not readily available and often, “the men will beat you if you ask to use a condom,” said one woman living in Mbeya, Tanzania’s most HIV infected area.
“‘Into the Light’ only highlighted how bad this problem is in one country,” said Williams. “We must get the knowledge out that this is a serious problem that we can prevent through proper education.”
A very personal program developed by both Pennington and Williams will take place today during Convo between The Lair and Alumni Mall. “A Day in the Life of AIDS” is an interactive journey that explores the various obstacles and restrictions that one might face after contracting the virus,” said Williams. Sigma Phi Epsilon set up eight tables, each with a different theme that represents a different stage of the AIDS virus. Participants will have a sense of what it is like to carry AIDS after being hypothetically infected with the virus. They will learn information regarding the financial effects placed upon someone with the virus, the medication that is required and the process of telling your family and friends.
Originally, a campus march had been planned for Tuesday at Convo, but due to the rain, the event was cancelled.
Each of these interactive and informative opportunities will lead to “AIDS Walk LA” on Sunday, Oct. 18. This year, Sigma Phi Epsilon is providing bus transportation to the event and asking those who do use the busses for a $10 contribution to the general donation fund. The busses depart from Hannon Field at 8:15 a.m. and return at approximately 1 p.m. All LMU students are encouraged to support Sigma Phi Epsilon and “AIDS Walk LA.” If you do, you will receive a free “AIDS Walk” T-shirt, according to Pennington.
“Every little bit helps,” said Williams. “It starts with spreading awareness. Together we can prevent the spread of AIDS. It’s the lack of education that continues to fuel this serious problem.”

Thought for the Weekend - October 17-18, 2009

2009-10-17T10:37:00.001-05:00

One man alone can be pretty dumb sometimes, but for real bona fide stupidity, there ain't nothin' can beat teamwork.
Edward Abbey US radical environmentalist (1927 - 1989)

Henderson State Sig Eps Face Alcohol Charges

2009-10-16T09:50:00.002-05:00

Fraternity Faces Alcohal Controversy
Josh Briggs

Only two students were taken to the hospital due to apparent alcohol poisoning. The third suffered injuries after a fall while text messaging.

According to multiple sources close to the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon, one student, who requested that her name be withheld, and an unidentified male, were taken to the Baptist Health Center emergency room after attending a party at the Sig Ep house.

Arkadelphia and Henderson police arrived on the scene at around 1:30 a.m., according a witness, but a police report was turned in by the officers to confirm the time of the call.

A third student, who was unidentified, was taken to the hospital after falling down the stairs while he was texting, according to Chief of Henderson Police Johnny Campbell.

One source said that one of the students came to the party after she had already been drinking.

"She had been drinking before she went to the party," said Sherri Ausley, the student's mother. The student became ill after playing a drinking game called "shots around the world," said a source.

According to another source, the game is played by setting up shots of different liquor from different countries in different rooms then going through each room and taking shots.

"The Sig Ep guys knew that she had been drinking and that she was underage because she had an 'X' on her hand at the hospital, and they still sold her alcohol," said Ausley.

The selling of any alcohol is illegal in Arkansas and is also against the Fraternal Information and Programming Group Risk Management Policies that all fraternities and sororities on campus adopted.

The policy states that "the possession, sale, use or consumption of ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES [sic], while on chapter premises or during a fraternity event, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or at any event an observer would associate with the fraternity, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state, province, county, city and institution of higher education, and must comply with either the BYOB or Third Party Vendor Guidelines."

One source acknowledged that members of Sig Ep were selling $2 shots and that the student was buying them. The student would not comment on the matter.

After the student became ill, she was then taken from the house by someone whom Ausley identified as a "high school friend."

"Guys from Sig Ep said to just 'put her in the back room' and found it humorous," said Ausley.

According to one source, four people not associated with the fraternity helped take the student back to her room. A resident assistant saw the men trying to get her to her room and called 911. When the ambulance arrived, the student was taken to the hospital with apparent alcohol poisoning. Josh Berry, president of the Henderson chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon, declined to comment on the matters.

"We are still working with their Nationals in trying to figure this whole thing out," said Chad Fielding, dean of students.

Henderson State Greeks Review Guidelines After Sig Ep Incident

2009-10-16T09:43:00.002-05:00

Dean Enforces Greek party Policy
Josh Briggs

On Tuesday, Chad Fielding, dean of students, met with representatives from each greek organization on campus to discuss the rules and restrictions for social functions. Since the middle of summer break, Fielding said that he and other university personnel have been trying to come up with a way to get across to all greek organizations that they have certain regulations to abide by.

The announcement came on the heels of a fraternity party that sent two underage students to the hospital with apparent alcohol positing. However, Fielding insists it was coincidental.

"Thursday night's events did not cause this to happen," said Fielding. "All it did was help us know the need for it to happen."

According to a source close to Sigma Phi Epsilon, female who requested that her name be withheld and an unidentified male were taken to the hospital with apparent alcohol poisoning after being at a Sig Ep event and playing a drinking game called "shots around the world" Oct. 1.

When people elect to pledge to become a part of the greek community, they are given a regulations guide. Fielding said that for a while now, most of the fraternities with homes have had open parties at their house, which is against their Fraternal Information and Programming Group (FIPG) regulations. FIPG Inc. is the risk management team associated with every fraternity and sorority on campus.

Fielding made it clear to all organizations that they are not to have open parties anymore, and that using the big banners that advertise their parties' theme or name is prohibited. This means that fraternities such as Phi Sigma Kappa can no longer post their banner for Graffiti, an annual Phi Sig event. They also cannot post signs that have a certain cost for men and women on it.

"They think I'm being a real ass, but I'm really not because my job is to be an advocate for the students," said Fielding.

"I have to do it in a negative way a lot of times, but regardless of whether they agree with me by enforcing them to abide by the standards, I'm protecting them," said Fielding.

The greek organizations have to abide by the FIPG guidelines or there will be no more parties at all. Fielding suggested to the fact that if something like what took place at the Sig Ep house was to happen again, that the particular greek organization that was a part of it could be shut down. Fielding also said that things like this could cause someone to die if not handled correctly.

"That would be the last thing that I would want to do, but of course, it is an option," said Fielding. "All of the greek organizations were invited to come to campus because they bring a lot of good.

But a greek system that is not strong and only brings liability can be uninvited."

The FIPG guidelines cover everything pertaining to drugs and alcohol and parties involving a greek organization.

According to the risk management policy that all greek organizations have adopted on campus, the first policy pertaining to alcohol reads: The possession, sale, use or consumption of alcoholic beverages, while on chapter premises or during a fraternity event, in any situation sponsored or endorsed by the chapter, or at any event an observer would associate with the fraternity, must be in compliance with any and all applicable laws of the state, province, county, city and institution of higher education, and must comply with either the BYOB or Third Party Vendor Guidelines.

No alcoholic beverages may be purchased through or with chapter funds nor may
the purchase of same for members or guests be undertaken or coordinated by any member in the name of or on behalf of the chapter. The purchase or use of a bulk quantity or common source(s) of alcoholic beverage, for example, kegs or cases, is prohibited.

There are also rules that have to be followed in order to host a closed party.

According to Fielding, the hosting group must have a guest list and a check-off list. One member has to be at the door checking IDs, while another conducts security by watching for fights and prohibited activity.

Wristbands or other means of identification should be used to identify whether or not the person is 21 or older.

At most of the greek parties on campus, a marker is used to put 21 on the hands of people of age to drink or an X to signify that he or she is under 21. The other members are not to be drinking while at the event. Their job is to walk around and keep an eye out for any underage drinking, and if they find someone, they are to "make them leave."

"I feel that they are ready to rebuild what they are supposed to be," said Fielding.

"It is going to change, and you can either get behind that change and help improve it, or you can fight it, and it is going to be a losing battle."

All of the FIPG policies can be found on the Internet at www.FIPG.org. For any more information or questions, contact Fielding by phone at 230-5420 or at his office in the Garrison in room 112 by the information desk.

Nevada Sig Eps Sponsor Obscure Sports Championships

2009-10-16T09:39:00.002-05:00

Stacking cups for charity
By: Anthony Sodenkamp

The lawn in front of the Joe Crowley Student Union erupted with a sea of purple-shirted Greeks cheering for their teams. What could inspire such excitement? Basketball? Volleyball? No, the headlining event was rock-paper-scissors.

Sigma Phi Epsilon held the third annual Obscure Sports Championship at noon in front of The Joe on Saturday.

“… because the world needs more champions,” shirts and banners for the event read.

Teams of five paid $125 to participate in the games. Proceeds, about $2,300, will be given to YouthAIDS, an international nonprofit group that uses media and sports to promote education on AIDS prevention for youth.

Every sorority on campus and two fraternities had teams, Willis Wagner, vice president of SigEp said. Delta Gamma took home the blue trophy. Kappa Alpha Theta won second and Phi Delta Theta took third.

The games started with the joust. Players received one point for striking their opponent in the body with an inflatable jousting stick and five for knocking their opponent off their pedestal. They had one minute to rack up as many points as possible.

The first match was a flurry of quick scoring swings.

“And the blows are relentless,” Kyle Rea, president of SigEp and master of ceremonies for the event, said.

One competitor dominated the second match by using a jabbing motion to score points while keeping her opponent at a safe distance.

The bungee run and cup stacking followed the joust.

Cup stacking seemed to be the most challenging event of the afternoon. Competitors were allowed a practice run before the timed event. They caught on to the technique quickly. The biggest challenge seemed to be setting down only one cup at a time.

“Do not lose to a girl,” someone from the crowd shouted before one of the cup stacking matches.

Despite the encouragement, he lost. He fought hard but his opponent scored the best time for cup-stacking.

Next was the obstacle course relay. Competitors disappeared for the first few seconds as they burrowed through the first tunnel. They then reappeared, struggling through the inflatable obstacles.

After the obstacle course, everyone returned to the stage for the final showdown. Teams of three battled it out with a game of rock-paper-scissors.

The competition was momentarily interrupted by two fighter jets that flew overhead.

“This is my favorite event,” Wagner said.

Anthony Sodenkamp can be reached at news@nevadasagebrush.com.

Stevens Point Sig Eps Co-Sponsors Hall Brawls

2009-10-16T05:15:00.003-05:00

Sigma Phi Epsilon and Delta Phi Epsilon present Hall Brawls 2009
Daniel Silva

Sigma Phi Epsilon and Delta Phi Epsilon held their third annual Hall Brawls event on Wednesday, October 7. The event was the largest ever, with over three hundred freshmen participating.

Freshmen were divided into teams according to their residence hall floor, and competed against each other in several different sports including ultimate frisbee, volleyball and tug-o-war. Each floor sported a different colored t-shirt, which promoted floor unity and served as the team uniform. After a grueling six hours of fierce competition, two floors came out on top.

Nursing their bruises and wiping the sweat from their brows, they received the bounty for their hard work. Congratulations to the top two teams: Humphreys first floor and Davis second floor.

First place received a treasure chest full of prizes to share amongst their floor mates in addition
to the glory that comes from besting their fellow freshmen in sports. Second place won a gift basket full of snacks and other novelties.

The event's success is greatly attributed to the generosity of co-sponsors Stevens Health Professionals Club, Up 'Til Dawn, WCPR, Alpha Epsilon Delta Honor Society and Stevens Entertainment Committee. Thanks to the co-sponsors, all participants were able to enjoy a free barbecue, lemonade stand, professional massages and music all day. In total the event helped raise over $2,500 for charity.

All profits raised are being donated to YouthAIDS, Sigma Phi Epsilon's national philanthropy. YouthAIDS is an organization that raises awareness about the disease and educates the public on prevention techniques and available testing methods.