O M E GA G A Z E T T E VOL. 2, ISSUE 6
Inside: Thoughts on the “Rolling Stone” Issue
Featuring:
• Council Updates • Fraternity & Sorority Life Staff • Looking Foward • Upcoming Events
COUNCIL UPDATES INTERFRATERNITY COUNCIL New officers have transitioned into their positions and been given the necessary resources to facilitate their duties. The Bylaws have been reviewed and we are beginning to draft Election Procedures including reviewing line by line Constitution and governing documents to recommended changes at the first few meetings. Council President, Wyatt Vieux, has been working on the awards packets for AFLV, focusing on the Public Relations Award Application. An Instagram account has been created, @wichitastateIFC, so please encourage students to follow us. WyattVieux, Interfraternity Council President
MULTICULTURAL GREEK COUNCIL The Multicultural Greek Council is looking forward to a positive 2015. Thus far, we are working to better our council by increasing our membership rates by 10 percent each semester leading up to 2016. As of last semester, we have had a 12 percent increase in membership. We hope to accomplish this goal by becoming more visible on campus and continuing our work in the Wichita community. In addition to this, MGC is currently working on strengthening our constitution and bylaws. Also, we look forward to building long lasting bonds with organizations outside of our council. Together, we are striving to become more visible by participating in long standing Wichita State events. In fact, for the first time as a council, we will participate in Hippodrome 2015. Our council is striving to leave a legacy at Wichita State. We are proud to announce that soon MGC will have a designated space on campus. The space sits between Neff Hall and the Rhatigan Student Center. The name of the space will be “The MGC Quad.” We look forward to the project’s completion by fall 2015. Step Show 2015 is right around the corner. On April 25, the Multicultural Greek Council will present the 7th annual “Shock the Yard” step show. This year’s step show will be packed with high energy from start to finish as we fill every seat in the Orpheum Theater. We have been working diligently to bring new and exciting attractions to the show. We look forward to a positive semester and an even better year.
Joseph Shepard, Multicultural Greek Council President
PANHELLENIC COUNCIL The Panhellenic Council is ready to invoke higher standards of Greek unity, service and scholarship with a fresh set of eyes for 2015. The PC has two returning officers and the new council is as follows: Emry Woelk - president, Megan Ouderkirk - vice president, Susan Lickteig - treasurer, Rachel Whitmore - secretary, Kelsey Arpin - recruitment, Jenny Nguyen - service, Tram Ngo - greek relations, Danielle Prewitt - public relations, Mineka Rose - risk management and Ashlyn Funston - recruitment assistant. The Panhellenic Council is very excited to kick off the new year with retreats to get us focused and a calendar full of events to prepare for. We are also sending three officers to the Association of Fraternal Leadership and Values (AFLV) conference. The president, vice president and recruitment chair all hope to glean many new ideas from speakers and network with extraordinary Greek leaders from across the country. Our full council meetings will started on January 23 in RSC 202, and as always, are open to everyone. If you are interested in making an announcement or sitting in on one of the full Panhellenic Council meetings, please give us notice by emailing Rachel at rwhitmore94@gmail.com.
Emry Woelk, Panhellenic Council President
INTRODUCINGTHE NEW STAFF Meet the new Fraternity & Sorority Life Staff! Lyston Skerritt: Assistant Director
Meg Junk: Senior Coordinator
Lyston is from the Caribbean island of Montserrat. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies at Augusta State University. While there, he was active in several honor societies, Student Government and worked as a building manager in the Union and a resident assistant in Housing and Residence Life. Lyston is a proud member of the Pi XI Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc. Lyston completed his Masters of Education at the University of Louisville where he gained experience in student organizations, Greek life, conduct and multicultural affairs. He has been with Student Involvement since July 2012 and in his third year transitioned to oversee Student Organizations and Fraternity & Sorority Life.
Meg received her bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Western Illinois University where she was very active on campus with student organizations and served as a resident assistant. After a year as a full time hall director at a small private college, she pursued her master’s degree in Counseling and Student Personnel from Minnesota State University, Mankato. While there, Meg also gained experience in alumni relations, undecided advising and orientation, and student activities. After graduation, Meg accepted a position as an activities advisor at Wichita State in the former Activities Office that merged into Student Involvement. Meg has worked at Wichita State since July 2010 and made the transition to Fraternity & Sorority Life in November 2014.
Fun Facts
Fun Facts
• Favorite Sports Team: West Indies Cricket Team • Favorite Food: Stewed Ox Tail • Favorite Vacation Spot: HOME-Montserrat • Favorite Movie: 300
• Favorite Sports Teams: Chicago Cubs & Chicago Bears • Favorite Food: Pizza and Cheese • Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere with a Beach • Favorite Movie: Anything Disney!
Sorority Wellness Retreat
February 20-22, 2015
FEB. 20th // 10am-2pm & 4pm-12am Tickets from any DG \\ 2/$10 or $6 each
Kallistei empowers sorority women through facilitated conversations and activities on self-actualization and self-confidence in order to provide women with a healthier view of their holistic self.
Register in Student Involvement
$15 registration fee Open to WSU Sorority Women Only Limit 30 Women
FEATURE STORY
The Rolling Stone Article: A Reaction Danielle Prewitt, Panhellenic Council Public Relations Chair In November of 2014, Rolling Stone magazine published a harrowing narrative of a young woman’s alleged rape that occurred at a Phi Kappa Psi fraternity house at the University of Virginia in 2012. The young woman, Jackie, a now a junior at UVA, shared with the magazine how she was invited to a party by a fraternity brother, invited upstairs into a small dark room and claimed to be brutally gang raped by other members of the chapter. At Jackie’s request, Rolling Stone did not contact the member of Phi Kappa Psi whom she claimed orchestrated the rape. However, as more details surfaced in the following weeks, so did the inconsistencies in Jackie’s story, causing her credibility to diminish. Rolling Stone published an apology on their website a few weeks later, recognizing their flawed narrative. After the initial publication, UVA quickly took action by launching an investigation looking into how the school investigates sexual assault. The story made national and international headlines, rendering a disconcerting attitude towards Greek Life across the nation. Protests at UVA spawned a new national debate: how to stop campus rape. One follow up story published by Rolling Stone weighed in on how national leaders are reacting to the issue. Virginia governor Terry McAuliffe said in a statement, “Sexual violence is a nationwide problem, and it is critical that our schools acknowledge that this is a pervasive issue and take bold action to end it.” Senator Mark R. Warner joined him, elaborating that he was “deeply troubled” by the magazine’s report. “It’s time that Congress, universities, and law enforcement authorities work together to combat this epidemic.” The issue here is not about how the media handles its sources, but rather what actions need to be taken to ensure incidents like these do not happen in the Greek community at Wichita State. Concerns still linger. How can Greek life safeguard the well-being of sorority woman and even fraternity men?
As disturbing as Jackie’s story was, her inconsistencies made me a bit wary. It cast a very dark light on fraternity men everywhere; men that do not fit the mold of a cocky, beer-chugging party animal that could lead a young woman into a gang rape. The fraternity men I know are genuine and respectful and they hold prominent leadership positions on campus. As a member of the Greek community, and as a woman, it saddened me to read such graphic allegations. But even more troubling, is the echo of a rape that is seemingly redefining what it means to be fraternity man. It is clear that, although this may be a problem at other universities, sexual assault is not something we associate with the outstanding men of our WSU fraternities. Greek Life here at WSU has worked too hard for too long to erase the stigma that goes along with “being Greek.” We have become something that is worth taking notice of. Our men and women are held to high standards to prevent the tragedies that seem to be occurring all over the country. The Greek men on our campus do not deserve to be burdened by these negative stereotypes. Our Greek community creates a different kind of Greek life; the kind of community where the young men and women come together to stand united as an organization. Resources: If you or someone you know has been sexually harassed or assaulted, we encourage you to contact/ utilize one of the resources listed below: • Campus Assault Resources and Education webpage: http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=sexualassault&p=/about_care • University Counseling and Testing 100 Brennan Hall II 316-978-3440 • University Police 316-978-3450 • Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center 355 N. Waco, Suite 100 316-263-3002 or toll free 1-877-927-2248 Thoughts on the Rolling Stone article, Danielle’s story, or other related issues? Send them to greeklife@wichita.edu
member highlight
Jami McVay is a freshman and a member of Alpha Phi sorority where she holds an executive position as Vice President of Campus Affairs. Aside from her Alpha Phi position, she is also the Vice President of the HEALTH organization and a member of the Community Service Board, Future Health Care Professionals and the honors college. Jami has worked as a certified nurse’s aide for two years and plans to major in nursing. Alpha Phi president Kori Visor said, “Jami McVay has an amazing love for people and for Alpha Phi. As a new member, she is holding a VP position and has already made some amazing plans for our chapter. She is everything we look for in a sister and we are so proud of all she is doing and planning to do. We love you Jami!”
MONTH IN REVIEW
member highlight
Steven Lattimore is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated. He was initiated into the organization in fall of 2012. Since joining, Steven has worked a full time job, been active within the community and has been the advisor of the Alpha Esquires Program. The Alpha Esquires Program focuses on encouraging young men in high school to continue their education. Steven has worked continuously to ensure these young men are successful both socially and academically. It is because of his hard work and dedication to the program that Wichita’s Alphas Esquires Program has a 100 percent graduation rate and 100 percent college acceptance rate. Steven’s hard work is greatly appreciated and his commitment to excellence has led these young men to excel in all they do. Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated is proud to have him as a brother and leader in our community.
LOOKING FORWARD
Vision, Innovation & Involvement By Lyston Skerritt, Assistant Director for Fraternity and Sorority Life We, the Fraternity & Sorority Life community, are about to embark on a journey of innovation and evolution. In 2015, we are not merely going to maintain, but we will thrive in every area of importance: academics, service, philanthropy, lived values and member development. We are faced with an evolving campus climate, a national microscope and a charge to change the way we do things. But we simply smile, knowing that as our founders did, we will innovate to meet the needs of the zeitgeist. As we move into the second half of this academic year, we want to say thank you to everyone for supporting our 700+ fraternity men and sorority women. The success of our Fraternity & Sorority Life community would not be possible without the support and encouragement from so many WSU faculty/staff members, advisors and alumni. In addition to the individual successes of our students, we have achieved a lot this year as a community.
Our new vision for Fraternity & Sorority Life is to ensure members truly live the values of their organization, promote the positive impact of the Greek community in Wichita and to ensure every student, faculty and staff member has a positive experience with members of the community. This can only be realized by ensuring we engage our communities and alumni while intentionally executing programs and initiatives. We will be the leaders and innovators we are expected to be. One of my many mottos states, “Qui non proficit, deficit,” which means “He who does not progress, regresses.” I am excited for the year ahead and I look forward to the successes to come.
STATISTICS scholarship
NUMBER OF MEMBERS
GROWTH OF GREEK COMMUNITY
greeks average
there are over
9
GREEK student headcount by college
12.5
million greeks nationally
hours of service
per member per semester
(u.s. office of education)
Go RED Week raising awareness for
february 2nd-6th
TEXT HERE health women's heart
Monday: King of Hearts Kickoff: Look for the participants’ photos on Alpha Phi’s social media Heart Health Speaker: Hear from a local cardiologist & a survivor at 7pm in the CAC Theatre Canned Food Drive: Collecting items through Thursday, bring donations to Alpha Phi Sorority
Tuesday: Chipotle for a Cause: Join us at the 29th and Rock location! 50% of your purchase will benefit cardiac care and research primarily in women. Check in under a King of Hearts participant.
Wednesday:
Information Table: Located in the RSC, partnered with American Heart Association, from 10:30am–1pm. FREE WU GOES RED SHIRTS! Check in under a King of Hearts participant.
Thursday: King of Hearts Competition: Cheer on your favorite participant for a $2 entry fee at the pageant in the CAC Theatre at 6:30pm. Last time to check in under a participants name! Attendees wearing red will receive $1 off their ticket price.
Friday:
National Wear Red Day: Wear your "Wu Goes Red" shirt to our booth in the RSC from 11am-1pm to get your photo taken with Wu-Shock! Send pictures of how you “Go Red” to Alpha Phi by using the hashtags #GreeksGoRed, #GoRedWSU, and #GoRedICT.
70%
of fraternity & sorority members graduate in 4 years (u.s. office of education)
UPCOMING EVENTS... FEBRUARY 2/1: Phi Delta Theta Super Bowl Watch Party, 5 p.m.-8 p.m., Phi Delta Theta House 2/2 - 2/6: Go Red Week Monday: Heart Health Speaker, 7 p.m., CAC Theater Wednesday: Heart Health Awareness Booth, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., RSC 1st floor Thursday: King of Hearts Pageant, 6 p.m.-8 p.m., CAC Theater Friday: National Wear Red Day Booth, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., RSC 1st floor 2/2 - 2/14: Sigma Psi Zeta Rush Week 2/3: Greek Awards Interviews 2/3: Pi Kappa Phi Video Game Night, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes 2/4: Sigma Lambda Beta: Breakfast Burrito Sale, 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m., Hubbard Hall 2/4: Pi Kappa Phi Info Session, 8 p.m.-9 p.m., RSC 256 2/5: Pi Kappa Phi Bowling Night, 8 p.m.-10 p.m., Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes 2/8: New Member Academy, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., RSC 233 2/9: Hippodrome Director’s Meeting #1, 5:30 p.m., RSC 266 2/13: Comedian- Nick Guerra, 8 p.m., CAC Theater 2/16: Hippodrome Director’s Meeting #2, 5:30 p.m., RSC 266 2/20: Delta Gamma Pancake Feed, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., DG House 2/20 - 2/22: Kallistei (Sorority Wellness Retreat) *Pre-Registration Required* 2/21: Big Pink Volleyball, 10 a.m., Heskett Gym 2/23: Greek Awards, 7 p.m., Metroplex 2/23 - 3/1: Zeta Phi Beta Week 2/26: Presidents Meeting, 6 p.m., RSC 152
COUNCIL MEETINGS... IFC
Tuesdays 5 p.m., RSC 221 Full Council on 2/3 and 2/17
MGC
Mondays 3:30 p.m., RSC 203 Full Council on 2/9 and 2/23
PC
Fridays 3 p.m., RSC 202 Full Council on 2/6 and 2/20
ANNOUNCEMENTS The Child Development Center (CDC) is seeking volunteers. If you need hours and can commit to a consistent schedule one or two times a week, please contact CDC Director, Jillian Hoefer at jillian.hoefer@wichita.edu