Laidbackfella...is this your chapter?

[Steeltrap]

Good article...

Greeks on campus: More than parties; Fraternities, sororities at HBCUs
pride themselves on service

By ARIANE ARAMBURO, Special to The T&D
(ORANGEBURG SC)

Leadership, scholastic excellence, community service and love are the cornerstones of African-American Greek organizations during the homecoming season and year-round.

Since 1906 when Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. was founded,
African-American Greek organizations have had a vivid presence on college campuses and in communities promoting education, positively influencing troubled youth and helping the elderly.

There are nine African-American Greek organizations recognized by the Pan-Hellenic Council. At South Carolina State University there are more than 160 students who are a part of Greek organizations. And with enrollment increasing this year to more than 4,000 students, 25 percent are actively involved in Greek organizations.

Howette Davis, director of student life at SCSU, says by next semester the number of students active in Greek organizations will expand to about 270.

Stuck up AKA's, Nasty Nupes and Doggish Ques are a few of the nicknames and stereotypes for the organizations because they are often judged based on their social aspects. But whether wearing crimson, blue, pink or gold, supporters and observers will tell you it is these organizations that clean up college campuses, hold information sessions about health issues and contribute funds and resources to educational institutions.

The members of the Xi Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. at S.C. State have mandated programs; one in particular is the National Assault on Literacy. "We have a reading hour, and the brothers go and read to children in the schools. We attack literacy from that angle," said Jimar Sanders, president of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. They also hold blood and voter registration drives, sickle-cell anemia forums, and breast and prostate cancer awareness seminars.

"Through our programs we're showing community uplift," he said.

For Sanders, the pros of fraternity life are building life-long
friendships, sharing new bonds with people and coming together to achieve the objectives of the overall fraternity. The cons are dealing with people's different personalities when trying to decide on certain situations.

"As a whole, the agreements are prolonged for an unnecessary amount of time," Sanders said. Being named "chapter of the year" on a consecutive basis and having individuals receive honors for 2004 make Sanders quite happy with his fraternity's outreach to the community. All 38 chapter members strive and continue to operate the fraternity through four principles: manhood, scholarship, perseverance and uplift.

Chad Sanders, president of Beta Delta Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha
Fraternity Inc. at SCSU, carefully described the meaning of an
everlasting brotherhood. He reiterates that Greek life isn't about
popularity, prestige or parties. It's about brotherhood and loyalty, things that not everyone appreciates.

The 36-member organization focuses on excellence and education through a program called "Go to high school, go to college," and "A voteless people is a hopeless people" program encouraging young people to vote. The fraternity also has a partnership with the March of Dimes.

"We seek to reach out to local middle and high school students,
influencing them to go to school. We see a great impact," Sanders said. Fraternity life increases brotherhood, Sanders said. "These are people I will keep in contact for the rest of my life."

"Additionally the pros of being in a fraternity give us the opportunity to take on leadership positions and network with graduates and alumni in the business world in our desired profession," Sanders said.

For Sanders, the cons of fraternity life are its consumption of time
taking away from other interests.

"The general negative is thinking we're party-oriented. All our efforts should be placed on a positive," he said. "We seek applicants with a strong academic track record and who show commitment to community service."

The members of the Alpha Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. dedicate their scholarship and service to several local black businesses. At the national level, they hold a Jabbawalk Pageant yearly and annually raise money for young college-bound women. They also hold voter registration drives weekly, tutor students at Williams Chapel AME Church, as well as visit Jolley Acres Nursing Home.

Every semester the ladies volunteer at the Harvest Hope Food Bank in Columbia and surrounding areas. "All of our programs are successful and have impacted the community and school in different ways. All have been vitally important," said Kourtney Fulton, president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority at SCSU.

For Fulton the pros of sorority life are the opportunities to be around people with common interests and similar goals. "It influences and helps you become a better person," she said.

They look at the quality of the ladies applying to become a member of the organization and how well the individual has served the community. The candidates should also exemplify academic excellence and good character on and off campus. "We have over 200,000 members worldwide and we focus on the 3 big S's: sisterhood, scholarship and service," Fulton
said

Saying there's nothing like a Delta woman, Fulton said Greeks need to promote unity regardless of the colors they wear. "We need to stick to our principles and virtues because those were the things we were founded on."

Korri Black, president of the Psi Alpha Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta
Sorority Inc., said members visit Morningside Assisted Living facility to play bingo with the residents. They are involved with
Adopt-A-Highway, and in Orangeburg, they are involved with the
Archonettes, a youth auxiliary group.

Black said the newest program, Z-HOPE (which stands for Zeta's helping other people excel), is most prominent. "This program is implemented throughout our sorority and it strengthens people through mind, body and soul."

There are many pros to being in a sorority, but for Black it's meeting a whole lot of different people that makes sorority life fun. "It's a way to help yourself and others in the process," she said. Black also contends that when you're in a sorority, you are looked at by those who aren't a part of the Greek life.

"My best part of being in a sorority is that I've influenced a lot of
people who aren't Greek to become members of an organization," she said. The ladies look for candidates who are willing to give back, who are
open-minded, and who are good students. "We call it finer womanhood, a way of carrying yourself."

It is these people who hold the organizations together. The works that these organizations perform are continuing each year as their memberships expand. According to these Greek members, their good deeds may not be plastered all over the news, but their quiet presence and dedication to community service should not be overlooked.

* Ariane Aramburo is a journalism student in the Mass
Communications Department at Claflin University.