Issue 2 Volume 24 Thursday, April 11, 2013 University of Washington

THE

GREEK VOICE
Center Spring Quarter Calendar

Inside

Marissa Freeman

6 7

All Greek Service Week

Spr. Qtr. Time Management

The (Second) Best Decision You Will Ever Make

by Sarah Berkes & Kim Downing

he BIG envelopes have finally arrived and thousands of high school seniors around the world face the potential of a college experience at the University of Washington. After the arduous process of applying to universities, acceptance letters may seem like a golden trophy: the final reward to the culmination of an excellent high school career. However, acceptance is not the end, as incoming students are quickly bombarded with course information, club and campus activity membership, and tuition and payment options. One of the most important decisions new students must make is where they will be living for their freshmen year. For those currently in the UW Greek Community, that decision was simple: go Greek. While many incoming students have a long history of Greek membership in their families, some are exploring the idea of recruitment for the first time. Whether Greek life is familiar or not, it is important to learn more about the opportunities it provides. One significant benefit that fraternities and sororities provide is high academic motivation and achievement. Statistically, students who choose to be involved in the Greek community tend to have some of the most impressive grades on campus. For example, the All Greek GPA is higher than that of the All University Average at the UW, with many members consistently earning a position on the Deans List each quarter. In addition, many chapters provide students with libraries to study in, academic links and resources, and often incentives for

UWIFC
high grades. Having other members hold one another accountable results in higher set goals and, in turn, higher GPAs. Living in a chapter with one hundred or more students who have taken similar classes also gives people the opportunity to seek out assistance on their assignments. If a member of the chapter is struggling with their grades, each chapter has an academic advisor to help improve their academic performance. Each chapter believes that its members are students first, and places the highest priority on academics. For those students who enjoyed being a part of charitable organizations in high school, fraternities and sororities also provide people with philanthropic opportunities. Every chapter on campus hosts at least one philanthropy every year where they raise money for a determined charitable organization. The ways in which chapters raise money for these organizations are always unique and fun. Philanthropies vary from auctions, galas, athletic competitions, and other fun competitions to get the entire community involved in their charity. Not only do 100% of the proceeds they raise go towards a worthy cause, but they rely on the participation of members from all other chapters, which strengthens the overall community involvement and atmosphere. All together, the Greek community raises over $75,000 annually for organizations such as Seattle Childrens Hospital, disaster

relief funds, and local shelters. Every member in the chapter has a hand in their philanthropy, which allows everybody to see what a difference they make towards an organization in need. In addition to philanthropic leadership, Greeks also have the opportunity to become leaders in their chapter or the Greek community. Each fraternity and sorority on campus has an executive board comprised of multiple positions that work together to internally and externally maintain the chapter. Many positions are congruent with a students academic interests, and provide networking experience for future career paths. For example, presidents not only have the opportunity to work closely with their own members, but also with the Greek, UW, and surrounding communities. Many of the connections Greek leaders make are with high priority individuals within the University and alumni networks. In addition to academic and networking benefits, Greek life first and foremost offers instant friendship connections in a large university environment. One unique aspect of the UW Greek Community is that Panhellenic and IFC new members experience living in their chapter house beginning fall quarter. Because of this, new members get the unique chance to bond and grow with their new member class in their first year and beyond. Freshman year is full of questions and uncertainty, and having other sisters and brothers to depend on during this busy time is crucial to feeling a sense of belonging in the community. Living in the chapter house also breaks down the barriers between each grade and

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2
Now that you are accepted here are a few things you may want to know.

The Greek Voice

Misconceptions & Myths in the Greek Community

Congratulations to all those who were accepted to the University of Washington!
Going Greek is only for rich kids, I wont be able to afford it
Each chapter requires some amount of dues to maintain membership. As a new member living in the chapter house, you will also be required to pay housing dues. Total membership fees including housing are generally comparable to University housing costs. Most chapters or national organizations offer scholarships that are awarded on a merit or application basis.

Wont my grades suffer from living in a chapter house?

Ive heard some crazy stories about hazing at other schools, will that happen to me?

Hazing is strictly prohibited by each individual chapter, all national organizations, both governing councils, the UW, and the State of Washington. The UW Greek community has formalized accountability mechanisms set in place to investigate any and all allegations of hazing, and discipline chapters in violation.

My parents arent Greek, does that mean I cant be?

You can still go Greek! While many members in the community are legacies, or descendants of past members, it is not a requirement for membership in any chapter. Each year there is a large pool of incoming new members who are the first generation to enter the Greek community.

3.32
All Greek Average

At the UW, Greeks consistently rank well above the All Campus Average. Academics are a key focus of each chapter in the community, and all new members must meet a specific minimum GPA requirement to become initiated members of a chapter. While these requirements vary, the average minimum GPA for new members is a 3.0.

All Fraternity Average= 3.26 All Sorority Average= 3.38 Undergraduate 3.22 Womens: 3.27 Mens 3.17

As potential new members of the University and the Greek community, we look forward to seeing you in the fall! Courtesy of Panhellenic & IFC officers Marissa Freeman & Luke Picking

Greek Voice Editorial Staff

Editors-in-Chief
Luke Picking 15 Interfraternity Council Vice President of Public Relations uwgreekvoice@gmail.com Marissa Freeman 14 Panhellenic Association Vice President of Public Relations uwgreekvoice@gmail.com

Editors
David Gillam 14 davidgillam@gmail.com Kim Downing 15 kimberlydowning@comcast.com Stephanie Hamill 15 shhamill@uw.edu Aleksander Posielski 16 alex.posielski@gmail.com Evan Rumpza 16 evanrumpza@msn.com

Interested in contributing to The Greek Voice? Our application is located on the IFC website, which can be found at www.uwgreeks.com. Interested in having your chapter featured in the next issue? Know of a story pertinent to the UW Greek community? Send us an email at uwgreekvoice@gmail.com.

Extra

Graphics Editors
Nicholas Franko 16 frank0@uw.edu Desi Schatz 16 schatzd@uw.edu

The content of this newspaper accurately represents the current values of the University of Washington Greek community. All contributions are made by active Greek members in good standing with his/her respective chapter. The opinions expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily the opinions of a members chapter, the Greek community, or the University of Washington.

Corrections
The article in issue 24.1 titled Mr. Greek was written by Katherine Beuche Photos for Mr. Greek were also contributed by Megan Kamerman along with Desi Schatz

Contact us with your questions, comments, or concerns. Editors-in-chief are avaliable to meet by appointment at least two days in advance. Our office is located in HUB 236 (M-F, 9-5)

Thursday, April 11, 2013

3
cont. from cover
Chapters frequently hold formal dances, grab-a-dates, sisterhoods, brotherhoods, and dry exchanges to give members the chance to socialize with each other in a fun, activity-based environment. Sororities and fraternities have done everything from renting the Space Needle ballroom, hikes, rollerblading, bowling, and hundreds of other events throughout the Seattle area and beyond. Any senior could tell you that they wish they had another four years to go back and do it all over again. Greek graduates walk away having created special bonds and lifelong friendships within their chapter and the Greek community.w Often many of those who graduate are so grateful for their experience that they take the chance to give back to their chapter. This can be in the form of internship opportunities, jobs, alumnae/alumni positions, and other job opportunities that keep them connected to current members in the chapter. Joining a chapter is a journey that extends well beyond your time on campus, and is often a large contributor towards personal and career related success in ones future. Other Greek students can testify that, the connections between the Alumni and current members is unbelievable. They always come to members with opportunities for jobs, internships and other things all because we have a special bond and share the same values and ethics. The UW is an extremely large campus and incoming students are often overwhelmed and feel out of place. The Greek Community offers a sense of unity between all its different chapter members in a smaller community environment. Maddy Scher, current UW freshman and sorority member went through recruitment for this exact reason. Being new to a campus and from out of state is a big change, Maddy stated, but participating in recruitment with friends and becoming part of community makes you feel like you have a home away from home. From dry exchanges to philanthropies and everything in between, Greek Life offers many chances to network and make friends, giving students the ability to not only be scholars, but a part of a brotherhood or sisterhood with connections all over the world. Greek members undergraduate experiences are filled with memories, connections, and relationships that will last a lifetime. Greek Preview is an excellent time to see a snapshot of Greek Life and all of the wonderful things that it entails. Recruitment can be an intimidating experience, but attending Greek Preview is one of the best ways to make that process less intimidating and more informative.

Q&A: Whats your favorite part about being Greek?

Marlee Friedrichson
My favorite part is being a member of my chapter and the Greek Community motivates me to do my best in whatever I undertake, whether that is school, work, career development, or personal relationships.

Kelsey Hood

Eli White

Being Greek has given me an opportunity to grow and thrive due to the women it has placed in my life. Being Greek has instilled in me a sense of pride in my community, my sisterhood, and myself.

The social community that goes with it; we are thrown into an environment with thousands of other people our age where people want to make friends and have fun. There is more to college than academics, and our houses can teach that balance.

Maddie Cox

I like all of the events in the Greek Community; theres always something to do. Its nice to get involved with such a wide variety of philanthropies and feel like youre making a difference.

My favorite part about being Greek is that I am a part of a smaller community within the greater University community. Since the community is so close and interconnected, its allowed me to develop long lasting friendships that Ill have for the rest of my life. - Stephen D.B. Ryder Pi Kappa Phi

Tug-of-War for Meany Hall

by Amber Amin
eany Hall, UWs largest auditorium, has not only become iconic of our red brick campus but with the massive growth and success of student events, it has also become an increasingly relied upon resource to the UW community. While traditionally, many student events have been held in smaller locations, a variety of events such as Mr. and Ms. Greek, ASUW comedy shows, Desi Dhamaka, the CSSA Lunar New Year and the ASUW Drag Show, are held at Meany Hall because they have outgrown their previous host venues on campus. For example, CSSAs Lunar New Year previously took place in Kane Hall, but due to space constraints, hundreds were left waiting in line outside, and were ultimately unable to attend. The College of Arts and Sciences however has expressed concern that student need for recital and performance space isnt being met and as a result has decided to prioritize academic work for Meany Hall, precluding them from accommodating student-organized events. Communities organizing these events have been voicing frustration regarding how this will limit the attendance and by extension, the scope and success of their events on campus. Michael Kutz, ASUW Director of University Affairs shares in their concern,

Student Life
explaining, As students, we feel left out of the decision making process on this issue, and are hoping to preserve the impact these events have on campus community. The presence and influence of a performance or show on campus culture is directly correlated to its attendance, and shifting events to smaller venues could have significant implications for the success of campus-wide programming. Kutz expands that The events that are affected span across campus, serving huge segments of the UW. Each event hits attendance of over a thousand, so many students will be affected. Currently, advocacy for a compromise solution is underway. A potential proposition allows for Meany Hall to be set aside for a guaranteed number of days for use by student groups on campus. It is our hope that all of the events that occurred this year in Meany hall will continue again next year, Kutz stated, as we believe that large programs like these create lasting memories and are crucial for a vibrant campus community. Contact Amber amberaa3@uw.edu Panhellenic and IFC are excellent sources to contact if you have further questions. There are websites full of information on recruitment, scholarships, philanthropy, and other important facts to explore before deciding to take the next step and GO GREEK. We look forward to seeing you!

Contact Sarah sberkes@uw.edu Contact Kimberly kimberlydowning@comcast.net @kimdowning17

Spring Quarter in th
April
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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

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8 9 All Greek Service Week

(AGSW) Astros vs Mariners

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Phi Kappa Psi Beach Days Astros vs Mariners

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Rangers vs Mariners

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Rangers vs Mariners Rangers vs Mariners Sounders vs Revolution

14 15 Zeta Psi & Theta Delta

Chi Joint Philanthropy Alpha Xi Delta AmaXIng run Rangers vs Mariners

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Kappa Kappa Gamma Ultimate Frisbee Competition Tigers vs Mariners

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Tigers vs Mariners

Tigers vs Mariners

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Gamma Phi Beta Crescent Classic Alpha Sigma Phi Phight for Life

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Anchor Splash

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Angels vs Mariners

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Angels vs Mariners

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Delta Tau Deltas Miss Greek

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Orioles vs Mariners

30 1 Sigma Phi Epsilon Karts

Orioles vs Mariners

Angels vs Mariners

The boys are back in town!

On Monday night Seattle welcomed the boys of summer back into their town and back into their hearts as the Mariners stifled the Astros in a 3- 0 victory. While one win over a somewhat mediocre team may not be noteworthy, what is worth celebrating is the return of baseball season; the return of cracker jacks and foul balls, of three-strikes-your-out and of outings to the ballpark. April marks the return of Sodo Mojo and the Mariner Moose, of another shot at one of those less-remembered times in the beer garden, and of course, the return of our beloved King Felix. Dont miss the excitement TONIGHT as your very own Seattle Mariners take on the Texas Rangers with King Felix on the mound. Making his first home start since signing a seven year, $175 million dollar deal with the Mariners, The King will be sure to put on a show to remember for his royal court.

Huskyfest - April 19
UWs own spring block party in Red Square. KEXP will be broadcasting live with a host of live performances by local bands. Earth Day will be spotlighted with recognition of eco-friendly efforts and environmental stewardship. See sustainable fashion at the Trashion Show or volunteer with the UW Center for Urban Horticulture. There will also be a variety of free giveaways including; free Top Pot Doughnuts, free T-shirts, and free Cupcake Royale cupcakes. Festivities begin bright and early at 6am.

Anchor Splash - April 24 to May 4

Delta Gammas popular pageant philanthropy pits male contestants from various fraternities against each other in a variety of different competitions that showcase talent, creativity and physique. Events include lip-synching, a pool day complete with a belly flop contest, pool relay and synchronized swimming, and finishes off with the famous flex off. Proceeds go to benefit the Seattle Lighthouse for the Blind.

he Greek Community
Representative Hans Zeiger Visits Alpha Epsilon Pi - May 2
Join the UW Greek community on the evening of May 2nd for an opportunity to learn from our fellow students and elected officials to discuss the important role civic engagement plays in our lives while on campus! The event is focused on the UW Greek community and civic engagement - how we can work to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and develop the understanding, values, and motivation to make that difference through both political and non-political processes. We are honored to be joined by Representative Hans Zeiger, Representative Marcus Riccelli, and Representative Chad Magendanz from the Washington State Legislature as our keynote speakers. We will also hear from fraternity and sorority members about their experiences being involved citizens in their communities. The evening will feature a panel discussion with our guests about the critical roles students play as the future leaders of our communities. We are looking forward to seeing you there! Please email Alpha Epsilon Pi Civic Leadership Chairman David Weingarten at David.weingarten.44@gmail.com with any questions and to RSVP.

May

This annual festival is meant to unify the Greek community over everything that is great about being Greek. This years theme is America and the week is packed with fun events, spirit days and competitions, concluding with a crowning coronation of the winning team. Monday will have a team exchange and an outdoor movie. Tuesday boasts an American themed carnival with a hotdog eating contest, UW celebrity guest appearances, and an all Greek water balloon fight. Wednesday is a competitions day complete with contests in bump, tag football, and volleyball. Thursdays schedule includes the popular Red Bull chariot races and an all-Greek barbeque. On Saturday get ready for the annual ASUW spring show.

Greek Week - May 13 to May 17

Greek Preview - May 11

The Greek community opens its doors to incoming high school seniors to allow them the opportunity to get a glance at what Greek life has to offer. IFC VP of Membership Recruitment, Michael Johnson sees it as a chance for those that are unsure about going Greek, to see what we stand for, all of the morals behind each of our organizations, and the positive image we want to uphold as the Greek community. All potential new members will attend an informational session about what being Greek is all about and tour chapter houses across the Greek community. All potential new fraternity members will also view a screening of Iron Man 3 and have the option to spend the night in a chapter house.

Sunday

Monday

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Anchor Splash (cont.) Sigma Phi Epsilon Karts Orioles vs Mariners

Pi Beta Phi Arrow Games Lambda Chi Alpha Watermelon Bust

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Greek Preview
Phi Kappa Theta 5K Run

Athletics vs Mariners Athletics vs Mariners

Sounders vs Earthquakes

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Greek Week
ASUW Elections

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Greek Week

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Greek Week

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Athletics vs Mariners

Sounders vs FC Dallas

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Battleball

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Alpha Tau Omega Padres vs Mariners Padres vs Mariners

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Rangers vs Mariners

Philanthropy
Toiletries Drive for Teen Feed
Wednesday 8 am-5 pm Habitat for Humanity Build Rainier Vista, Seattle ~Closed Event, Participants Already Chosen~ 10 am Sack Lunch Distribution Meet at Theta Xi, 18th St. Thursday 10 am-4 pm Teen Feed Day of Caring University Lutheran Church*& University Temple Methodist Church* 6:30 pm Athlete Auction for Relay for Life Psi Upsilon, 47th St. between 18th & 19th St. Friday 1:30-3:30 pm Boys & Girls Club Carnival University Christian Church*

The Greek Voice

All Greek Service Week April 8-12, 2013

Monday 3:30 pm All-Greek Street Clean Meet on 17th & 47th Median 4-8 pm Yogurtland Fundraiser Night! Yogurtland on the Ave -Must bring flyerTuesday 5-8:30 pm Teen Feed Meal Team University Temple Methodist Church* 5 pm Prepare Sack Lunches University Lutheran Church*

David Gillam All Points From Service Week Go Towards Greek Week Points!

*University Congregational United Church of Christ 45th & 16th St. *University Lutheran Church 50th St. *University Temple Methodist Church 42nd & The Ave *University Christian Church 15th & 50th St.

Alpha Xi Deltas AmaXIng Challenge 5K by Amber Amin

Autism Speaks. This year, the women of Alpha Xi Delta are at it again but this time, were striving for first! On Sunday, April 14th at Green Lake Park, Alpha Xi Delta will be hosting our second annual AmaXIng Challenge 5K fun run and we want you to be a part of it! The fun will begin at 10 for check-in and opening ceremonies and the run will kick off at 11, followed by a closing ceremony. Registration will be $15 for adults and $10 for children and includes an event t-shirt. With a live DJ, raffles, awards and a special appearance by Harry the Husky, the AmaXIng Challenge 5K is sure to be bigger and better than before, you wont want to miss it!

urrently Autism, a spectrum disorder obstructing social skills, affects 1 in 88 people and 1 in 54 males, yet of all research funding Autism receives less than 5%. The women of Alpha Xi Delta refuse to accept numbers like this and in 2012 took action by hosting our first annual 5K run to raise money and awareness for their national philanthropy, Autism Speaks. Autism Speaks is the largest nonprofit organization dedicated to creating brighter futures for those affected by autism spectrum disorder through research funding, early intervention, treatment, and awareness campaigns. Support from the Greek Community as well as the UW and Seattle communities was overwhelming and the event was a roaring success, ranking second nationally as the largest Alpha Xi Delta fundraiser for

Credit Desi Schatz

Contact Amber amberaa3@uw.edu

Want your chapters philanthropy featured in The Greek Voice? eMail us at uwgreekvoice@gmail.com

Thursday, April 11, 2013

by Laurel Rice

Communities
New Self-Defense Class for Women
Every two minutes, someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted, reports The Rape Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN) website. Attempted assault is a real issue that many college students face, and living in a major city, such as Seattle, UW students are no exception. This spring quarter the IMA is offering a new five-week course called Self Defense for Women. This one-hour class will be on Thursdays from 4:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. and the cost is only $20.

Spring Into Action: IMA Preview

ost University of Washington students include the Intramural Activities Building (IMA) in their weekly routine, especially now, in the spring, that walking to the gym no longer results in getting drenched by the Seattle rain. One can consistently find members of the Greek Community in the cardio rooms, lifting weights, or shooting hoops, but the IMA offers some unique opportunities and events that are not as well known. This spring quarter is a great time to mix up your regular workout routine and try something new!

Mindful Stress Reduction

This is a new class offered to help students learn how to cope with the stress and anxiety that can be easily become overwhelming. It is also aimed to empower and build up confidence. Dr. Richard Berger, a UW Professor Emeritus, will teach the course. Sessions will be Wednesdays from 5:45 p.m. 8:15 p.m. and the cost is $120.

Megan Kamerman
Ultimate frisbee is one of the many intramural sports offered during Spring quarter

The Rain City Send

Sports

Megan Kamerman
Women practice self-defence techniques in new class offered at the IMA

Intramural sports for this season are soccer, softball, ultimate Frisbee, and bowling. Create a team for your chapter or create a co-ed team and sign up with multiple chapters! Playing on an intramural team is a fun way to meet other people in the Greek Community and also make friends who are not Greek affiliated.

Take part in a university-wide top-rope rock climbing and bouldering competition on Saturday, April 13. Students and faculty from all colleges in the Pacific Northwest are welcome to enter as a team or individuals and the day will be split into multiple heats based on skill level. This is a Northwest Collegiate Climbing Competition (NC3) event.

Even More

New fitness classes at the IMA during spring quarter include: Cardio Combo, Cardio Funk, Boot Camp, and Circuit Training. Additionally, there will be a two weekend-long American Red Cross Lifeguard Training in May. Contact Laurel laurel.w.rice@gmail.com

Spring Quarter Time Management

by Ross Zeiger

academics. Balancing schoolwork with all of the events occurring in the Greek community, on campus, and in your personal life can be overwhelming if you dont intentionally take control of your time. With diligent, systematic planning and a bit of discipline, it is possible to overcome procrastination, accomplish your goals, and make time to participate in all the fun spring quarter has to offer. At its most basic level, the majority of human actions are done out of habit. How you spend your morning, how you interact with people, how you think, and how you study are all largely determined by habit. That said, a beautiful fact about life is that everyone is capable of changing his or her habits to be a happier and more effective individual. The key to effective use of your time through developing positive habits is planning. To begin, you must know your goals and priorities. Remind yourself each day of your biggest life goals and align your every action toward that end. If you have a habit that is negatively impeding upon your path toward your goals such as eating unhealthy or wasting time on Facebook, you must remove these behaviors from your daily routine. It takes tremendous amounts of discipline to change yourself but the dividends are immense. In the next paragraphs, I will break down a method

uring spring quarter canoeing, Greek Week, philanthropies, and frolicking in the sun all vie to steal your focus away from

Student Life
Students balance a busy social schedule and academics
anyone can follow to effectively manage ones time. Each morning wake up at least an hour before you have to be anywhere and plan your day out. Give class and studying its proper time. Then, allot time for meals, working out, and jobs. Finally, do not neglect to give due time to catching up with family, socializing with friends, and being involved in your chapter, church, and other organizations. Its that simple. Lay out on a sheet of paper when, where, and for how long you will be doing each of your daily activities. The hard part is sticking with your plan and staying disciplined. There will be failures but each day you must try again until it becomes habit. Sometimes you will have conflicting events. When this is the case, you will have to determine which action is most in harmony with your goals, your morals, and your happiness. Skipping class to attend a Greek Week function, for example, is a conundrum we all must deal with. Sometimes you can compromise and show up late to the event, once class is over. Other times you can only pick one so you must analyze which of the two choices are best for you overall. You must have the maturity to ignore the instant gratification of the fun you might have now at the event and compare that with the long-term consequences of doing poorly in a class. While we all want to have fun and be involved in other activities, you can more effectively balance your commitments and accomplish your goals through intentionally structuring your day. By cutting out the bad habits in your life and strengthening the good ones, you will find you have time to do more than ever before and have the most fun and fulfilling time you possibly can in the Greek Community. Contact Ross rosszei@yahoo.com

Sigma Kappa

Sorority Spotlight Fraternity FeatureThe Greek Voice

&

by Mollie Swan

n 1874 the first Sigma Kappa chapter was founded by five strong women at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Mary Caffrey Low Carver, Ida Mabel Fuller Pierce, Frances Elliotl Mann Hall, Elizabeth Gorham Hoag, and Louise Helen Coburn were the only female students at the university, so, with the permission of the Colby College administration, they united and created Sigma Kappa. This allwoman fraternity started as a literary and social society and has since evolved into a nationally recognized sorority. Sigma Kappa, which now has 110 collegiate chapters across the nation, is often represented by a dove or heart. Although the significance of the dove is only revealed during the initiation ceremony, the heart is an accurate symbol

of Sigma Kappa because it represents the sororitys motto, One Heart, One Way. The significance of the sororitys colors, maroon and lavender, are also only revealed during the initiation of new members and is not discussed with anyone outside the chapter. However, the explanation behind Sigma Kappas flower is one of the few stories that can be shared with outsiders. Wild purple flowers were the flowers the founders of Sigma Kappa saw as they strolled throughout the Colby College campus, which is why this flower represents the sorority. Since it was founded in the 1800s, Sigma Kappa has become involved with multiple philanthropic projects. In 1918, the sorority declared Maine Coast Sea

Mariah Doll

Mission as its first national philanthropy. This organization provides hope and encouragement for families in coastal and island communities through support groups, financial assistance, and other emergency aid programs. In 1954, the sorority became the first to take action against Alzheimers disease when it partnered with the national Alzheimers Association to research the illness. In fact, Sigma Kappa has become one of the nations leading contributors to Alzheimers disease prevention. The third organization the sorority works with is Inherit the Earth. This organization strives to improve the health of our planet. In order to support the Sigma Kappa Foundation, the University of Washington chapter hosts the UltraViolet fundraiser, in which fraternity men compete to earn the title of King of the Castle. Sigma Kappa has many strong attributes, but the sororitys dedication to philanthropy is certainly one of its most remarkable qualities. At the University of Washington, Sigma Kappa has proved to be a well-rounded chapter that values personal growth, service, friendship and loyalty. Since it was founded by fourteen students on April 29th, 1910, the Mu chapter has earned both local and national awards. It has also had two members serve as Sigma Kappa National Presidents. 2011 was a particularly successfully for the Mu chapter. UW Sigma Kappas won three University of Washington Greek awards: Outstanding Community Service, Excellence in Alumnae Relations, and Alumna Advisor of the Year. In the same year they received multiple national awards including Honorable

Mariah Doll
Mention: Lorah S. Monroe Award, an award given for excellence in new member programming, and Honorable Mention: Academic Excellence Award for Top Scholarship. The ladies of Sigma Kappa at the University of Washington have lived in a beautiful house on 22nd avenue which is often described as a castle. The house was designed by Joseph Skoog, the husband of a Sigma Kappa alumna. It is protected by the Seattle Landmark Preservation Board and is considered a historical landmark.

Contact Mollie mollielswan@gmail.com

Phi Delta Theta

by Marissa Freeman

he Alpha chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity has ruled over its plot in the Greek Community for over 100 years now, towering glass windows staring out over 21st while a great wall of bricks looks out across 47th. The majesty of the building cannot be denied, but, just as with any Greek Chapter, it is not the physical attributes of the house that make it what it is but rather what one finds inside that defines it. Phi Delta Theta was founded on December 26th, 1848 at Miami University (Ohio) on three principles: Friendship, Sound Learning, and Moral Rectitude. It is these foundations, not those of the house, that draw young men, young leaders and

lifelong friends to Phi Delts. As a chapter with a long past, arriving in 1901 as the third chapter house on campus, Phi Delta Theta has played host to a great number of future figures of fame, including Hank Ketchum, the creator of Dennis the Menace, and Tom OKeefe, Tullys Coffee Founder. Coming hand in hand with being one of UWs oldest and most storied chapter houses, however, Phi Delts has faced its fare share of rocky roads as well. At the end of spring quarter 2009 Phi Delta Theta decided to start over. Disbanding for just one quarter, a team was set up by the national board to get Phi Delta Theta back on track as one of UWs original and

Erik Engstrom
prestigious fraternities. Throughout this re-colonization process the chapter retained its status as one of the only dry fraternities at the University of Washington, following their national guidelines that disallow any alcohol at all inside the chapter house. This rule differs from other fraternities on campus as it pertains to those Phi Delts that may be of age, as even they are not allowed to drink in their house. For some this may seem like a drastic measure, but for others it may seem like just what they are looking for. Without the constant distraction of alcohol there may be an easier path to friendship, good grades and healthy lifestyles that Phi Delta Theta has found the key to. Besides, there are always places on The Ave to keep the upperclassmen entertained. The reorganization process that Phi Delta Theta went through in 2009 was done in an attempt to up its recruitment numbers and bring about more activity in the house. This commitment by the fraternitys national board scan only mean positive things for the future of such a historic chapter, and Phi Delta Theta remains a strong presence in the University of Washingtons Greek Community. Contact Marissa uwgreekvoice@gmail.com @mfreealoha

Erik Engstrom
Phi Delta Thetas chapter house on the corner of 21 ave and 47th st