LETTER: Greeks add much to USU
To the editor:
As campus and public relations director of Greek Council, I would like to thank the Statesman for their publicity during our Greek Week. I appreciate the attempts to change the stereotyped image, although some things may have been misunderstood. One thing I would like to stress is that I’m an active member of the LDS religion and in no way does the Greek system try to discourage that. In fact, the majority of our organizations were founded on Christian beliefs. Some stats to consider: between the six fraternities and four sororities on campus, we recorded more than 5,000 hours of community service since the fall. Some fraternities report a dry chapter (i.e. Sigma Phi Epsilon) and each fraternity reports at least two return missionaries. As a Greek community, we have done things, such as supply Christmas to three families, held blood drives, multiple food drives, clothing drives and raised more than $20,000 for our individual philanthropies. Our combined GPA is currently higher than the school average with individual houses as high as a 3.25. We also have a multi-cultural fraternity and sorority on campus that were not addressed in the articles. Psi Sigma Phi and Theta Nu Xi are proud members of, and important additions to, our Greek community. More than one fraternity has general authorities of the LDS church (i.e. David B. Haight) who are alumnae of their chapters. The percentage of sorority members and fraternities who drink is less than 70 (with individual chapters as low at 10 percent). There are members of nearly every race; members on ASUSU, equestrian team and more. Between the 10 chapters, there is a house for anyone. We are diverse and our alumnae donate more to the university than any other organization. Again, we appreciate you featuring our community in your latest addition of the Statesman. We are a community seeking a common good of living a balanced life between academics, community service, philanthropy and a lifelong bond of brother and sisterhood.
Kathryn Locke