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Alpha Sigma members Stephanie Thuilliez, Nicole Maramonte, Amy Younk, Rachel Larsen and Lynsey Dorenbos pose with Willie Warhawk while volunteering with the athletic department on campus.

Greeks a viewable, valuable part of community

By: Royal Purple staff

Posted: 3/19/08

UW-Whitewater opened its doors in 1868 as the second state normal school. There were very few buildings, many of which don't exist or don't look the same as they did back then. There were 39 students and 9 faculty members, and it goes without saying there weren't many, if any, student organizations. However, there are a few organizations currently present on campus whose history is as great as the university's.

Greek organizations present on campus are some of the oldest institutions on campus. Although most of the UW-Whitewater chapters weren't locally founded until the 1960s and 70s, most were nationally founded around the time UW-Whitewater came to existence.

The university is currently home to 13 Greek chapters and, as of June 2007, those chapters contain 249 students.

Although they only comprise less than 5 percent of the total population of the campus, Greek chapters make a resounding impact on the university and surrounding community.

In recent years the Whitewater Greek community has gotten bad publicity because of the suspension of three fraternities and the probation of a fourth.

The Delta Chi fraternity was on probation for not meeting their national foundation's sanctions when they had a house party that was busted, ultimately landing them on suspension in fall 2004.

Alcohol issues, coupled with alleged mistreatment of members, were also the case for the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity when they were put on probation fall 2005.

The third fraternity, Phi Sigma Kappa, was suspended January 2007 for not meeting specific requirements by their national foundation.

Delta Chi has since been approved for expansion, and Lambda Chi Alpha is the process of expansion. Both fraternities may be back at UW-Whitewater by fall 2008 with new members and a clean slate.

The fresh start is something that those involved should take advantage of so they may shed the negative reputation and build their own.

Associate Director of Leadership Development Jan Bilgen said these rebuilding fraternities have a great opportunity at their hands but also a great responsibility to maintain.

"Even though [Greeks] are only 2-3 percent [of the student population] … they are an important part of the university fabric," Bilgen said. "They contribute in ways we may never know."

Rachel Larsen, an active member of the Alpha Sigma sorority, understands the role her and her fellow members have, but she believes others in and around campus do not understand the impact Greek chapters have at UW-Whitewater.

"I don't think people realize what we do on campus," Larsen said. She said Alpha Sigma is volunteers its time at Lincoln Elementary School and is also annually involved with Relay for Life and breast cancer events.

Larsen thought the fall of the three fraternities was detrimental to the whole Greek community. "Those are the sort of things that perpetuate the stereotype of Greeks," Larsen said.

However, she offered words of wisdom to those reestablishing the three chapters. "Recognize the power you have," Larsen said. "These people reestablishing the chapters … are you going to be a party chapter, or are you actually going to give back to the community?"

Bilgen, who has been at UW-Whitewater as a student and employee since 1983, recognizes the importance of a strong Greek community and the correlation of that with the possible reinstatement of these chapters.

"It's a great time to be a part of these fraternities," Bilgen said. "The slate is completely clean."