Vol. 89 Issue 21
March 10, 2011
Greeks Come Out
Alumnus airs commercial
CSUF fraternities and sororities begin their festivities
Nick Simotas utilizes radio-TVfilm degree in television industry
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dailytitan.com
Men’s lacrosse The Titans cruise past another opponent for their third straight victory, 15-4
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The Student Voice of California State University, Fullerton
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Fraternities and sororities come together for Greek Week, a series of events dedicated to raising awareness about Greek life and its importance at Cal State Fullerton
STEVE SLY / Daily Titan
Greek initiation without the hazards Members tout positive induction into the sisterhoods and brotherhoods SARAH FERNANDEZ Daily Titan
The history of fraternities and sororities has been a time-honored tradition on the American college campus, and Cal State Fullerton is no exception. But while these organizations have many beneficial outcomes, there is often a negative undercurrent that rears its ugly head from time to time: hazing. Louis Rizzacasa, president of Phi Kappa Tau, explained how every fraternity has a different program the new members have to go through, but said hazing is against the law. “Hazing has been a federal crime since 2005,” said Rizzacasa. “The new members are required to learn about the history of the fraternity and its members, and then we quiz them at the end of each week to make sure they know the material. We want to find people that are able to contribute to the organization and the organization can contribute back to the person as well.” At CSUF the Greek community consists of over 30 national and local Greek letter organizations that all came together this week for Greek Week. When Greek life was established in the 1700s, these organizations served as secret clubs that met to discuss and debate subject matter not often approved of by the college administration or faculty. Today these organizations are revered as campus clubs that promote social, leadership, academic and philanthropic opportunities to its members. The negative aspect sometimes associated with Greek life is defined as hazing, the harassment of new members as a rite of passage by giving them meaningless, difficult and dangerous or humiliating tasks to perform. Activities known as hazing are secretive and ritualistic in nature which make them difficult to expose. These rituals of initiation are conducted during secret ceremonies which are meant to be traditions that represent lasting memories for the new “brother” or “sister” entering into Greek life. Some of these activities can become extremely dangerous and are only revealed when someone is injured - sometimes fatally. See HAZING, page 3
Greek Week: Food, fun and philanthropy Hundreds of students gather to kick off week-long celebration of Greek unity and awareness CARMEN VARNER Daily Titan
Greek Week, an event involving sports, philanthropy and competition, has deep roots at Cal State Fullerton. The festivities raise money for Camp Titan, a summer camp for Orange County’s underprivileged youth. Tuesday marked the start of the Olympic-style games where more than 800 students of the Greek community gather to participate. Greek Week is designed to establish camaraderie between students of the 11 chapters of Cal State Fullerton’s sororities and fraternities: five fraternities and six sororities. Last year’s games raised $58,000 for Camp Titan. “I am most excited to hang out with the Greeks and have a chance to be competitive,” said Jonathon Fuller, 19, of Phi Kappa Tau. “I Contact Us at news@dailytitan.com
am playing center in football.” Phi Kappa Tau’s Greek partners are Alpha Delta Pi and Delta Zeta sororities. “I personally am excited to get dressed up and, for a week, just go back to being a kid, doing various activities and cheering,” said Boris Alvarado, 19, a member of Sigma Nu. Alvarado will play both football and basketball. His fraternity is partnered with Alpha Chi Omega. Each sorority and fraternity pair up to compete in various sports. Delta Chi fraternity will not partake in Greek Week this year because they are on suspension due to disciplinary reasons, according to Inter-Fraternity Council President Jerry Stutz. Jessica Aguirre, 20, a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, said she looks forward to Greek Week each year because she has the opportunity to bond with her sisters and raise money for a beneficial cause. Gamma Phi Beta
is partnered with Sigma Phi Epsilon. The week of Greek rivalry started off with a coin collection on the Titan Walk both Tuesday and Wednesday to raise money for Camp Titan. “Greek Week is a time when the true brotherhood of a house is exemplified and put on display for the entire Greek system,” said Matt McCleary, 20, football quarterback for Pi Kappa Phi. The fraternity is matched up with Zeta Tau Alpha. The Can Castle Contest, where competitors build castles out of food cans and are judged based on quality and creativity, occurred Wednesday at noon on the Titan Walk, followed by the Chalk Mural Drawing Competition. See WEEK, page 2
ONLINE
EXCLUSIVES dailytitan.com
Watch an online exclusive about the Greek Week festivities on campus at Dailytitan.com/ greekweek/
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