Campus Greeks plan to improve reputation, gain recognition

Campus Greeks plan to improve reputation, gain recognition

Campus Greeks plan to improve reputation, gain recognition

With rush in full swing, the Greek brothers and sisters of Missouri Southern have a long march ahead.

The brothers of Kappa Alpha, Sigma Pi and the hopefuls of Kappa Sigma along with the sisters of Zeta Tau Alpha and Alpha Sigma Alpha have planned a busy semester. The five groups are preparing for a spring full of philanthropy and social mixers with their fellow Greeks. The brothers and sisters also plan on giving their attention to repairing the reputation of Greek organizations in the community.

“KA will be working on promoting stronger Greek integration with the administration and MSSU, demonstrating a stronger image of Greeks and having a lot of fun,” said Dylan Slagle, senior political science major and president of Kappa Alpha. With a predominately commuter campus, many Greeks have faced the challenge of retaining membership.

“I’d like to see the Greeks become more active, there’s not a lot the school can do for them, because there’s not a lot of them,” said Bob Kelly, Kappa Alpha alumnus

The financial stress students face also plays a role in Greek participation. Most students have part-time jobs to pay tuition, which also consumes student time.

“A lot of people come here because they can’t afford anywhere else,” said Kelly. “They definitely can’t afford to join a fraternity of sorority.”

However, despite the current challenges, the fraternities at Southern are working hard to establish a good reputation.

The Zeta Tau Alphas have already begun work on the Race for the Cure and Think Pink, for their national philanthropy.

The brothers of Sigma Pi are in the process of planning their annual Altruistic Campus Experience (ACE) project and have also scheduled a kick-ball tournament to benefit The Ronald McDonald House.

“Were working with the alumni board to get the name out there, not just Sigma Pi, but everybody,” said Sean Grove, senior international business major and president of Sigma Pi. “That’s really what our Greek system is lacking until Greeks are recognized on a large scale.”

Grove believes the student body doesn’t see the benefit of going Greek and hopes the efforts of this year’s fraternities and sororities will begin to change that.

“Even after graduation, the possibilities are endless,” he said.

With the addition of the Kappa Sigmas to Southern’s growing collection of Greek organizations, it is the hope of the campus’ brothers and sisters that the student body will begin to see the benefit of an active campus.

“Its in the students’ best interest to get involved somewhere,” Grove said. “Participation in student activities is a big deal.”