FRESNO STATE
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WEDNESDAY ISSUE | AUGUST 28, 2013
No rush for ‘Rush Week’
Fresno State delays Greek recruitment until late September By Brianna Vaccari The Collegian
As a result of review, member recruitment, commonly known as “Rush Week”, has been delayed to the end of September rather than occurring during the first few weeks of the semester for all Fresno State Greek organizations. Fresno State administrators, staff and students reviewed the campus’ Greek system last spring in response to the alcohol-caused death of 18-yearold Philip Dhanens, a new member to Theta Chi at the time. “When we had the tragic death of Philip Dhanens at the beginning of last year as the result of a hazing incident of a fraternity, we felt this was the time to bring that review committee together to take a look at what we could do better to serve this campus, as well as the students who are part of the Greek community,” said Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. Paul Oliaro. Delaying member recruitment week gives students, especially freshmen, a chance to make an academic transition into college, Oliaro said. He said many students who joined a Greek organization at the beginning of the semester had a lower GPA and
Dalton Runberg / Collegian file photo
Fraternities and sororities push back their “Rushes” -- recruitment period -- for the Fall 2013 school term to late September.
more difficulty adjusting to college life. Oliaro and the review committee made the recommendation because they believed first-time students need-
ed a longer time to make the decision to take on a big commitment such as a fraternity or sorority, he said. “To me, it was not healthy or help-
ful to have students be asked to make a life-long decision to join a fraternity See RUSH, Page 3
Summertime work and play for faculty
Various professors spend their time off by traveling for business -- and pleasure By Megan Rupe The Collegian This summer, professors from various departments put their passions into action. From a traditional Nigerian wedding and international visits to the Big Apple, some Fresno State professors made this summer one to remember. Dr. Samuel Omolayo, a geography professor, traveled overseas this summer for a special reason. In June, Omolayo went to Nigeria with his family to participate in his daughter’s traditional Nigerian wed-
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ding ceremony. A long process, Omolayo said Nigerian engagements sometimes last years. Because of his work at Fresno State, Omolayo said his family was only able to spend three days in Nigeria. The day of the engagement was filled with tradition, he said: gifts for the bride from the groom’s family and food for almost 1,000 guests prepared by families of the bride and groom. “We slaughter cows,” Omolayo said. “Invitation is not limited; as many people from the groom’s side and his friends, and the bride’s side, and so you have
to have a big hall somewhere. “There’s dancing with traditional drum and, you know, everything is involved there.” Along with praying for the new couple, Omolayo said a tradition is to shower money on the guests as they dance and celebrate the marriage. “It’s a kind of joy,” Omolayo said. “To that culture, that is a way of just celebrating your daughter, and that you are happy that something good is happening.” See SUMMER, Page 3
Students welcomed with ‘Bash’
Fresno State Student Involvement kicks off first week of school with Welcome Bash
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Page 3 Andrea Guyton / The Collegian
U.S. considers strikes against Syria By Jacob Rayburn The Collegian Fresno State students and faculty responded to the mounting evidence that the United States may use military force against Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria after allegations that chemical weapons were used in the country’s civil war. Chemical weapons, which are banned under international law, were considered a “red line” by President Barack Obama. If it was determined that Syria used chemical weapons, Obama said that would cross a line that demanded an international response. The United Nations estimates about 100,000 people have died since the war began in March 2011. White House spokesman Jay Carney spoke to reporters in a press conference Tuesday: “Allowing the use of chemical weapons on a significant scale to take place without a response would present a significant challenge to or threat to the United States’ national security,” he said. Carney said that before a military option is implemented, a U.S. intelligence report will be made public about the Aug. 21 incident near Damascus that reportedly killed and wounded thousands. In response to the alleged chemical attack, U.S. warships armed with cruise missiles have been moved into the region. Before missiles are launched, however, Fresno State students and faculty questioned the necessity of becoming militarily involved. Dr. Jeffrey Cummins, a professor in the political science department, said that because the U.S. is not directly connected to the conflict, it should not get involved. “I think there are other options,” Cummins said. “We could provide stronger aid to the rebels, but they aren’t necessarily our friends, either.” The murky landscape of the conflict is why caution must rule over everything else, said Dr. Lori Clune in the history department. “Are we 100 percent sure of who is doing what?” she said. “Going in guns blazing makes me hesitant. The time to pause is now. This is when reasonable thought has to happen. Yes, the thought of losing more lives to chemical weapons while we gather information is horrifying. But making the wrong decision is worse.” Fresno State student Sumaya Attia, said the wrong decision was waiting this long. “T he U.S. should have been involved when the civil war started,” Attia said. “I think the U.S. avoided the conflict for political reasons, but they ignored humanitarian needs.” However, Attia said that military intervention was never the best option. More political pressure, in her opinion, needed to be used against supporters of Assad’s regime before the war escalated beyond control. Wa r we a r i n e s s a m o n g s t t h e American population and even the milSee SYRIA, Page 6
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