http://www.thedailystar.com/news/sto...5/18/frat.html
The Daily Star
Tuesday, May 18, 2004
Fraternity seeks SUCO recognition
By Adam Dolge
ONEONTA — Some student leaders at the State University College at Oneonta are organizing a fraternity with the blessing of the college administration.
Phi Kappa Psi, a national social fraternity, may soon recognize a chapter at SUCO, one of two fraternities working with officials to earn recognition from the college. Alpha Kappa Lambda is in the beginning stages of recognition similar to Phi Kappa Psi.
The college recognizes six sororities as well as one fraternity, Chi Phi.
Hartwick College recognizes three sororities and eight men's fraternities, according to Robert Clark, director of communications. He said about 12 percent of the Hartwick student body is affiliated with these Greek social organizations.
Evan Rakowski, president of the SUCO Student Association and also of Phi Kappa Psi, said the idea for starting a new fraternity at SUCO began in the spring 2003 semester.
"Three or four of us got together and were interested in a new fraternity because we were not happy with Greek life at SUCO," Rakowski said. "It wasn't the system we saw at other schools."
About eight fraternities have not been recognized by their national organizations or SUCO since 1995 when they refused to accept the college's deferred-rush policy. The rule forbade Greek organizations from accepting first-semester freshmen after a study showed a majority of freshmen who pledged frats were flunking out.
Rakowski acknowledged that locally, many people have a negative view of fraternities. He said Phi Kappa Psi aims to show that a social fraternity can benefit its members and the community and "be a good thing."
"We're not here to tell the other fraternities how to act," Rakowski said. "What we want to show is Greek life can be done right. ... Greek life, when it's done right, can be a positive thing."
The Phi Kappa Psi fraternal colony was formed in the early fall. In September, there were five members, and within four weeks the fraternity grew to 19 members, he said. There are 21 members now, Rakowski said, and four pledges were recently recruited.
Members of Phi Kappa Psi include the vice president and four other representatives of the Student Association, the president of the Resident Student Organization, the presidents of the senior and sophomore classes, and seven members of the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society.
The members have already been active in serving the community. Rakowski said the fraternity has done 500 hours of community service, including picking up trash off the streets and playing hosts for the overnight program for prospective SUCO students, some members housing as many as six people.
The members participated in the American Heart Association Heart Walk, Halloween festival, Take Back the Night march, Into the Streets and the college's Easter Egg Hunt for local children.
"I think their recognition is a positive thing for our school and the community," said Angie Eichler, associate director of campus life at SUCO.
"They've done a fabulous job and have come a long way in a short time," Eichler said.
Being in a fraternity can be a positive experience, and the recognized Greeks are trying to bring something positive to the school and community, she said.
In December, the group was recognized as a colony, the probationary status before the chapter is fully recognized. It is petitioning the national headquarters to become a full chapter after only six months as a colony, Rakowski said.
The fraternity members are hopeful about receiving a positive reply from the national organization this month and become the first chapter in the 152-year history to earn its charter at the organization's annual Grand Arch Council this summer, Rakowski said. The national recognition would be an honor for SUCO, he said.
Rakowski said under the interim recognition by SUCO, the fraternity cannot vote in the college Greek Council. Recognition by the college could be finalized in the fall term, he said.
"Recognition brings a lot," Rakowski said. "We can work with the school, meet on campus, wear our letters on campus, and hopefully it will bring a positive attitude to fraternities."
The fraternity was founded in 1852. There are 5,500 undergraduate members and 60,000 alumni in 90 chapters representing 34 states and the District of Columbia, college officials said.
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