Greeks’ donation of time, funds impressive

When I think of fraternities, I’ve always conjured up mental images of excessive rowdy drinking and naked freshmen running through innocent, unsuspecting neighborhoods during pledge initiation rites. Up to this point, I’ve credited the movie “Animal House” with documentary-style accuracy in portraying the lives and culture of fraternities and their members.

As you can imagine, it was an eye-opening experience when I heard about the more than $30,000 Sigma Chi raised and donated to the Huntsman Cancer Institute. What was even more surprising was to hear firsthand from freshman and Sigma Chi pledge Zach Rencher about the tireless work he and his 42 pledge brothers—along with the already active Sigma Chi members—put into making the fundraiser a success.

The Sigma Chis are not alone in their philanthropic endeavors. Each fraternity hosts an annual event, with proceeds going to a community charity of their choice.

“Fraternities are constantly volunteering on campus and in the community,” said Sigma Phi Epsilon President Cameron Beech. “We also volunteer to work with at-risk youth.”
Each spring, fraternities and sororities co-host a day at Hogle Zoo for young children from low-income areas.

“Not only do the kids love the experience, but the fraternities/sororities also have the chance to be a positive influence in their lives, even if only for an afternoon,” Beech said.

Helping out doesn’t seems to be a once-a-year experience for U fraternities either. For the past two semesters, the Sigma Chi house has been home to a blood drive run by the fraternity and Red Cross. In addition to the slew of group activities, each Sigma Chi member is required to do 15 hours of community service each semester. That’s a decent amount of time in the life of a student.

I’ve always been a fan of calling things how they are, even if it means correcting my inaccurate perception of a situation. That was definitely the case in coming to understand the good that fraternities can foster.

Maybe Sigma Chi President Matt Hansel was right when he said, “We really try to just be good guys and help out other people.”

letters@chronicle.utah.edu


 

4 comments

A sorority girl

Fri Nov 6 2009 00:33

Fraternaties aren't the only ones who have philanthropies. Check out what the sororities do all year long and you will be amazed at the numbers you find.

Gregor for ssabmub of the year

Thu Nov 5 2009 16:53

15 hour community service? Gregor you are on crack. The 100+ men in Sigma Chi are better than any random 100 boys you can pick off of campus.

Gregor

Thu Nov 5 2009 10:03

I can appreciate the journalism expended by the reporter, but I do not feel as though it was as thorough as it could have been. There is a lot to say about donation drives, yes, but I feel that a direction and approach could have revealed even greater success in the individual Sigma Chi response to the 15 hour community service, or perhaps greater failures. Putting a good face on your change of perspective doesn't mean it's all daffodils and honey, but I appreciate your article.

Sigma Chi

Thu Nov 5 2009 03:19

MARRY ME WHITNEY

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