The Collegian Wednesday, January 24,1990
Rush Week
Some fraternities
making pledging
thing of the past
by Lea Gotch
Collegian Staff Writer
The Behrend Greeks held their
Rush activities just last week but
already some fraternities arc ready
to induct new members.
The addition of Zcta Beta Tau,
a pledge-free fraternity, and the
elimination of pledging in
Sigma Kappa Nu, Behrend's
oldest fraternity, may redirect the
future of Greek life at Behrend.
"Once they accept a bid,
they're a brother in 72 hours.
You learn about the fraternity as
a brother. We still have big
brothers; it just takes away the
urge to haze,” said Michael
Ondish, vice-president of ZBT.
The number of people that
rush during the spring semester is
always lower than the fall. Still,
ZBT had 16 people rush their
present 21 member fraternity.
"I'm happy with (that
number) since we're so new," said
Ondish.
Zeta Beta Tau was the first
national fraternity to eliminate
pledging.
Sigma Kappa Nu, a local
fraternity, has also abolished
pledging beginning this semester.
"Sigma Kappa Nu has taken a
leadership role by eliminating
pledging and hazing," said Dave
Shields, Assistant Dean of
Religion-based
Newman Association
starts up at Behrend
by Monica Michel
Collegian Staff Writer
A branch of the Newman
Association, a religion-based
support group, has recently
formed on campus.
Because of students' requests
for a group other than Inter-
Varsity Christian Fellowship,
Kuzma and Dean of Student
Services Chris Reber are strongly
supporting the start of this
organization.
The group, who held their
first organizational meeting last
week, aims to enrich members'
lives during their academic
tenure. By promoting religious
education and society
involvement, the association
hopes to elevate student values.
.Ultimately, the intent is that
members strive for a holistic
approach to growth development.
Student Services.
Pledging is often associated
with hazing, which is any
practice that is physically,
mentally, or morally harmful to
an individual. Every national
fraternity has an anti-hazing
policy said Shields.
The absence of pledging will
help discourage hazing even more
because, "It eliminates the
double-standard that exists
between pledges and brothers,"
said Shields.
Does this indicate a trend
among fraternities to do away
with the pledging process? Yes,
says Dave Johnson, President of
the Inter-Greek Council.
"All national fraternities
sooner or later are going to
abolish pledging," said Johnson.
"Tau Kappa Epsilon's national
headquarters have mandated that
they go to a non-pledging
program within two years," said
Johnson.
Tim Hoffman, leadership
consultant for Kappa Delta Rho,
is also developing ah alternative
program to pledging that would
be similar to process now used
by ZBT.
Hoffman said that changing
the pledging process is necessary
because of liability concerns,
administration pressure, and
protection of the chapters.
according to Sister Anna Mae
Kuzma, the sponsor of Behrend's
Newman Association,.
Kuzma is not exactly sure
what direction the group will
take. Several other colleges
including Slippery Rock and
University Park have Newman
Associations. Kuzma has been
speaking with them for input.
Students Michael Camit and
Michael BucheiU were elected
group coordinators. They will
soon put the constitution before
SGA.
The Newman Association has
over a hundred years of experience
behind it. It originated at the
University of Wisconsin in 1883
as the Melvin Club.
The Newman Association held
a meeting last night in the
conference room downstairs in
the Reed Building. Meetings are
open to all students.
King speaks at Behrend
Says that drugs plague our society
(continued from page 1)
have been told we are the greatest
nation in the world. This is a
shame, a disgrace, and it is
wrong,” King said.
He noted that 40 million
people live under the poverty
level and 60 million are illiterate.
King also said the United
States needs to become more
diverse. "It [American society]
has told you all you have to do is
learn English and every other
country must speak English,"
said King.
Learning either languages,
according to King, helps one
appreciate othei" cultures, and it
enables information to be shared
more completely.
As for the progress in
achieving equality. King noted
that there are areas in which little
success has Occurred. Most
no
tably, King stated that blacks
lack top positions in Fortune 500
companies. However, he also
mentioned the 'achievements by
blacks in gaining public office:
mayor of New York City,
governor of Virginia, and many
other state and local officials.
Spring Graduation solutions
(continuedfrom page 1)
best choice.
A memo from Mari Trcnkle
concerning the tentative schedule
said, "If inclement weather should
force us indpors it will be
necessary to hold two graduations
and to limit the number of guests
per student The actual ceremony
would be held in the Wintcrgrccn
Cafe, with overflow viewing in
the Reed Lecture Hall."
The memo went on to say
that students woujd be given six
ticket, with four for the ceremony l
in the Wintergrecn Cafe and two
in the Reed Lecture Hall.
Career Development and Placement Services
- THIS WEEK-
Jan. 25 4:oopm Workshop: How to Create a Resume
Reed Conference Room
9
Jin. 25 8:00pm Plastics Career Night
Wintergrecn Cafe
lan. 26 s:oopm Deadline for'Engineer request forma
for Conair on-campus interview
Ja». 26 s:oopm Deadline for request forms for U.S.
Air Etwee on-campus interview
VS ; ' ■
. - A -
Giving gifts: Erie Mayor Joyce Savocchio presents
King with momentoes from the city
King's speech came a day after
his father's birthday. Campuses
in the Penn State system were
closed from 4 to 5 pm on the
"I was really surprised about
the outcome because I didn't
expect any decision change to
happen in just one meeting. I'm
also really happy that we got to
sit down and discuss the problem
and I appreciate the cooperation
and concern that Dean Burke and
, Mari Trenkle demonstrated,"
remarked senior Nan Quatchak
A letter to graduating seniors
will be sent out in February with
the latest information and plans.
The students at the meeting
all agreed that after being at
Behrend for 4 years (or more),
the Warner Theater had no
sentimental meaning.
Page 3
photo by Dave Conti
holiday in order to celebrate.
Events at Behrend included
readings from King's speeches
and musical performances.
In addition, those students
who have family coming from
out of town want to show their
relatives and friends where they
went to school.
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FUTONS - Natural Fiber
FRAMES - Various Woods
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Lamps
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Kimonos
Crystal Jewelry
Wind Chimes
Peruvian Hats & Scarves
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Tuea. - Fri. 10:30-6:00
Saturday 10:30-3:30
337-5458