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THE MERCER CLUSTERFEBRUARY 18. 1983-PAGE 5
ON CAMPUS
Continued from page 1
Lawsuits
meted out recently for similar behavior.
’ The idea of excusing all extremes of
fraternity behavior under the notion that
boys will be boys' just isn’t the case
anymore,” observes Eileen Stevens,
founder of the Committee to Halt
Useless Campus Killings (CHUCK), a
citizens' group working to stop fraternity
violence.
Noise, litter, catcalling and even
violence aren’t all that new along college
Greek rows, she says. What’s new is the
reaction against it.
"College administrators and national
offices of fraternities aren't tolerating
the antics and pranks anymore," she
notes.
"There's really a pendulum effect
involved here," says Jonathan Brant,
president of the National Interfratemity
Conference.
"Fifteen years ago most schools kept a
closer watch on fraternities. Then, for
about 10 years we got away from that,
and adopted the attitude that You’re all
adults, and you can supervise your
selves.’ ”
But Brant adds, "Now we’re seeing
more interest and concern and better
supervision. Many schools are bringing
onboard someone specifically to super
vise fraternity members and to work with
them.”
Brant attributes the crackdown on
fraternity violence and problem behavior
to "a higher caliber of awareness"
among administrators and students.
Others attribute it to the growing
number of lawsuits against fraternities
and the colleges themselves.
Last semester, a Virginia court found
the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity at the
University of Virginia liable for $125,000
in damages after a student was hit in the
head with a beer can by one of the
fraternity members.
And a University of Delaware student
is currently suing both his fraternity and
the university for injuries he suffered
during an initiation ritual two years ago.
At that time, a member of the Sigma
Phi Epsilon fraternity poured lye-based
cleaner over the student, causing
second- and third-degree bums on the
pledge's head, face, and chest. •
"I think one of the main reasons
schools and national chapters are getting
increasingly concerned over fraternity
problems are because of just such
lawsuits and the damages they've had to
pay." notes CHUCK founder Stevens,
who herself sued Alfred University and
the Klan Alpine fraternity after her son
died in a 1978 hazing incident there.
Moreover, she says, "students them
selves are bringing about changes on
some campuses. New students are
coming in much more aware that they
don't have to participate in dangerous
rituals, and they are beginning to realize
that college life doesn't have to revolve
around a fraternity anymore.”
Students at some schools, in fact, are
beginning to question the need for
having any Greek organizations at all on
campus.
About 500 students at Stephen F.
Austin University recently showed up to
participate in a debate on whether the
entire Greek system there should be
abolished.
And a faculty-student committee at
Trinity College in Connecticut last
semester recommended that the school’s
six fraternities and two sororities be
abolished permanently.
"The committee simply concluded
Pi Kapps Hosted Area III Conclave
The Alpha Alpha Chapter of Pi Kappa
Phi at Mercer University hosted the area
HI Conclave and celebrated their 60th
anniversary on February 11th, 12th, and
13th. Attending the festivities were
national officers and 200 representatives
from sixteen additional chapters in
c Georgia and Florida. This social event
Douglass Honored
By Rita Hines
During this week of Black History
Month, we, the members of the
Organization pfHBilalian Students, would
like to honor our forefather Frederick
Douglass.
Bom on February 7, 1817, this former
slave, abolitionist, lecturer, writer, and
politician was considered one of the
greatest 19th century black leaders. As a
for Pi Kappa Phi began when the Mayor
of Macon proclaimed "Pi Kappa Phi
weekend." Following the proclamation,
a party was held at the Pi Kappa Phi
Lodge. During the day on Saturday the
Area in Chapters attended Educational
Meetings led by the National Officers.
To close the special weekend, the area’s
young man. Frederick Douglass fled to
freedom from slavery to, successfully,
fight for the fusion of the black man into
society. This "mover and shaker" of the
century provided leadership and gui
dance in the fight against slavery. As a
result of Douglass’ great struggle and
other factors. Abraham Lincoln revealed
the "Emancipation Proclamation" and
the fourteenth and fifteenth amend-
Govemor’s Ball was held on Saturday
night at the Quality Inn North.
The Alpha Alpha Chapter would like
to extend special thanks to Quality Inn
North. The Miller Distributing Com
pany. Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, and
the City of Macon for making this
weekend possible.
ments were ratified.
Without a doubt, "Fredrick Douglass
was a man who had a rare sense of
historical timing that told him when
certain beliefs and positions had to be
critically re-examined and modified."
Douglass’ determination to attain free
dom and respect for the black man will
always be remembered.
that the fraternities had outlived their
usefulness." says Trinity spokeswoman
Kathy Frederick.
Among other things, the committee
said the Greek system was "inherently
divisive," that it fostered "exclusionary
practices based on secret codes and
agreements." and concluded that, "in
short, no need exists" for them.
Sometimes off-campus authorities
take a similar view. The Davis.
California city council is pondering new
laws punishing noise and litter offenders
along Cal-Davis' fraternity row.
UC-Davis, moreover, is ready to
"initiate disciplinary procedures" >
against Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma
Nu if members again harass certain
women's groups. Vice Chancellor for
Student Affairs Tom Dutton warns.
Rifle Team
Organized
Master Sergeant James Sutton, a
former shooter coach on the All-Army
pistol team, started from scratch last fall
quarter to form an intercollegiate rifle
team on the Mercer campus for the first
time in several years.
The team members on this year's
squad are Kim Pitchford, Ken Rose,
David Sanders. Cary Beck and Steve
Boy lan.
"We still need more shooters," said
Master Sergeant Sutton, "the ideal rifle
team has eight members and we have
only five and twe of these are leaving
after this quarter.
"I want to emphasize that a person
does not have to be in ROTC to be a
member of the rifle team. All a student
has to do to be eligible is to have a 2.0
GPA and be in good standing with the
university "
The team has two more meets le^t on
the season at North Georgia College and
Jacksonville State in Alabama. Any
person that makes the team will be
eligible to compete in these matches.
A Moment In Black History
Have Active Quarter
Kappa Sigs
Winter quarter is already half-way
. finished and Mercer’s fraternities have
been active. Kappa Sigma is no
.exception.
By Peter Hoffman
The sigs opened the quarter with the
Annual Christmas-New Year’s Party.
This was followed by a Body Shop party,
which lasted into the early morning
hours.
Saturday evening the Little Sisters and
Stardusters gave the chapter a Valen-
tiu*» s Day Party'* These girls did an
excellent job decorating the lodge. The
evening proved to be enjoyable for all
l those who attended.
' Kappa Sigma has also been involved
athletically. The number one basketball
team is one of the top teams in the Greek
League. The Bomb Squad and the
Raiders have been carrying on the
tradition of our independent teams.
Congratulations to new pledges James
Bowen and Larry Weems.
All equipment, and traveling expen
ses. are provided for at no expense to the
participant.
The matches consist of three ten round
sets with ten rounds being fired at the
prone, kneeling, and standing positions
using .22 caliber Anschutz. Remington,
and Winchester rifles.
At the end of the year, varsity letters
will be presented to all members of the
team and the top five members will
receive jackets.
Next fall. Mercer will participate in a.
complete schedule of matches with
schools from South Carolina. Georgia,
Florida and Alabama.
Anyone interested in trying out for the
rifle team should contact Master Ser
geant Sutton at the ROTC department.
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