[PhiPsiRuss]

THE DAILY STAR

Tuesday, December 16, 2003
Fraternities reappearing on SUCO's campus
By Jill Fahy

Staff Writer

ONEONTA — Fraternities do exist at SUCO after all — at least
those that have agreed to follow the rules.

For the first time since the mid-1990s, two State University
College at Oneonta fraternities have been recognized by their
national chapters and by the college as legitimate Greeks on
campus.

Phi Kappa Psi and Chi Phi have each been assigned interim
recognition status for one year until the college can grant them
full recognition, said Angie Eichler, who works closely with
SUCO's Greeks.

The new groups, which do not have houses and which conduct
meetings on campus, join seven sororities that are recognized
by the college.

Eichler called those students in the fraternities "strong students
and leaders."

"The recognized fraternities realize the importance of community
service, brotherhood and educational program for Greek life,"
Eichler said Thursday. "There is a social aspect involved, but
these students realize the importance of the other factors."

A third fraternity, Alpha Kappa Lamda, has begun the national
and campus recognition process, according to Eichler. She said
a representative from the fraternity's national chapter was to
meet with SUCO officials last week.

There are still 10 or so fraternities that have not been recognized
by the college or their national organizations since the
mid-1990s, when they refused to accept the college's
deferred-rush policy. The rule asked Greek groups not to rush
freshmen until they reached their second term.

Though they are no longer recognized by SUCO, these
underground fraternities continue to exist without faculty advisers
or fraternity houses.

College officials have called these groups "social clubs" that
have no ties to the college.

Oneonta city officials, who in the past two years have cracked
down on the activities of outlawed fraternities, call them "gangs."

SUCO's disassociation from these rogue fraternities has
caused friction between SUCO officials and Oneonta city
officials, who have called on the college to take more
responsibility for the students involved with the outlawed frats.

Fifth Ward Alderman Rodger Moran said he hopes SUCO's
recognition of the fraternities will be a positive step.

"It sounds like these are the sort of fraternities a college would
aspire to have, ones based more in academics," Moran said.
"We remain disappointed, though, that SUCO doesn't want to
take that same stance with the rogue fraternities we're aware of."

Evan Rakowski, a SUCO student government leader and vice
president of Phi Kappa Psi, said his fraternity stresses
leadership and being a gentleman.

"In a lot of ways, there isn't a lot of tradition on campus,"
Rakowski said. "Greek life is a way to establish that."

He said his fraternity isn't out to prove a point or to show up any
other group on or off campus.

"We're not out to tell anyone what's right or wrong, or that we're
better than they are," Rakowski said. "We do hope we give a
positive message to Greek life."

In 2000, SUCO updated its policy for all students who wanted to
start a fraternity. Added to the existing campus code of rights and
responsibilities for Greek organizations is a process that walks
new groups through the steps necessary to gain recognition.

"We needed to have a process in place that involved a review of
documents and a discussion with people involved to give the
institution an opportunity to look at organizations, so we can
make a more-informed determination," said Steven Perry, vice
president for Student Development at SUCO.

If properly monitored, Greeks can be a positive presence on
college campuses, Eichler said.

"It can help the overall image," she said. "Our Greek system is
slowly improving to be a positive aspect here."