Fraternities Cite Damage to HousesBy DIANA STANLEY The fraternity houses of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnston have suffered extensive damages in years past. Yet, Jacob Stiffler, director of Housing, has expressed optimistic feelings for the 1979- 80 school year. He believes the house managers of Lambda Sigma Rho, Delta Sigma Chi, Delta Chi and Acacia are working to alleviate the problem. A group damage report, released by the Housing Office. indicated the following estimated property damages for the 1978-79 year: Larkspur Lodge, Cottages II and Ill, $922, Heather Lodge, Cottages II and Ill, $480, Foxfire Lodge, $397 and Hawthorn, Cottage ll, $355. According to Stiffler, many damages occur during large social gatherings; "Alcohol and damages go hand in hand." Many house managers agree that open parties are a significant factor. Reginold Synder, House Manager of Delta Chi, states "Undoubtedly, damages are caused by open parties. Yet, you can not pinpoint who does it." He went on to say, "Most damages are caused by accidents. The students do not do it on purpose." House Manager for Delta Sigma Chi, Larry Kreider, also believes most of the damage is related to fraternities’ parties. Some managers believe the problem isthe result of students’ apathetic attitude toward destruction. "Students take advantage of the University's’ property. They have the attitude that it's not their property, therefore, they are not responsible for damages," quotes Vance Becker, Acacia's House Manager. The damages are located in the basements, lobbies and stairways. Among the damages are cracked tiles, holes in the walls, torn screens and broken furniture. In the past, the Housing Office used student's matriculation fee to pay for damages. Becker believes if an individual is doing damage "it should come out of his own pocket." Many managers are hoping for a successful year in regards to less property damage. Snyder comments, The damage this year will be less than in the past." Party Policies Discussed By Campus FraternitiesBy TOM WOJCIK
"Each fraternity should promote Greek activities, not parties," said lnter-Fraternity Council President Bill Murray at lFC's Sept. 17 meeting. Murray's comment was made during a discussion on the issue of fraternity parties. Some representatives feel the ‘open party system,’ presently employed by the fourfraternities (Acacia, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Chi, Lambda Sigma Rho), removes some of the eliteness of fraternal brotherhood. Remarked one representative, "In one respect, independents are not distinguished from Greeks; that being easy admittance to parties. Some things should be exclusively for Greeks.” Motion for a ‘closed party system’ was rejected. IFC recognized the fact that 1 independent upperclassmen, who have no intention of joining a fraternity, frequent many of the parties. However, they agree it would be almost impossible to screen everyone who attends. ''I wouldn't enjoy turning away friends because they weren't Greek," said representative Mike Hacker. ‘'I don't think any fraternity would enjoy that." As an alternate solution, IFC agreed to discontinue advertising fraternity parties. Members feel that without advertising, independents who are attracted only by the easy access to beer will be less likely to attend the parties. Those who have an»interest in the social aspect of brotherhood will gain knowledge of the party through brothers or other interested individuals. Murray, along with other representatives, feels parties should not be used as ‘bait’ for prospective rushes (one who seriously considers joining a fraternity/ sorority). "We must generate more inter-Greek activity," said Murray. "Such as Greek weekends, softball games and the like. lt’s important we show independents that brotherhood, and Greek life in general, is much more than parties." 'I can definitely see a problem,” commented Student Life Dean Lowell Shaffer, on the Greek party issue "but it appears we're on our way to solving it." Shaffer agrees with the idea of promoting activities rather than parties. Shaffer continued, ’'It may help to return some of the uniqueness and mystique to fraternal brotherhood."
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The lnterfraternity Council met on January 11 to discuss plans for winter term rush. This term’s rush period began Jan. 11 at the I.F.C. smoker, which is a meeting of the members of a fraternity with those students interested in pledging a fraternity.
According to Tony Rametta, I.F.C. ‘ president and member of Delta Sigma Chi, rush will extend for two weeks ending on Monday, February 2, when bids go out to Dean Shaffer‘s office for approval. A bid is an invitation by the fraternity to their pledge inductions. Students interested in pledging a fraternity should attend the various rush parties scheduled below and pick up their bids if any, at the end of rush. The following are the dates of the scheduled:
Groundbreaking for the new University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Sportcenter (fieldhouse) will begin before the end of this month, if funds are approved. Final budget discussions on the funding should be completed by this week.
Harry Probert, manager of Physical Plant, stated that the facility should be completed by September, 1977. The ground floor of the center will contain a varsity size court, with four intramural courts superimposed. The main gym also will divide into three separate sections. The first level will have training room for taping, whirlpool baths, and other activities. There will be a separate area located by the showers, for storage, equipment check-out, and laundry. Separate shower facilities will be capable of handling general and team use at the same time. The showers will be separated by a partition, according to Probert. In addition, there will be a weight room and wrestling room located on the first level. Four handball courts will also be included if the budget permits. Second Level Spectators will be entering onto the second level to ticket offices, conces- sion stands, and public restrooms. Seating capacity is expected to be 2500, according to Probert. A second floor exercise room, primarily for dance classes, will contain mirrors and ballet bars along its walls. Athletic department offices and more storage space will also be located on the upper level. Sexual relations between teachers and students were recently surveyed at UCLA.
Of the 350 questionaires circulated to both teaching assistants and professors, 15% were returned. Of those, 20% of the faculty admitted to having sexual relations with their students. Half, of those respondents said they approached the students and the other half said they were approached or just “fell” into affairs.) One faculty member revealed that the student he once slept with is now his wife and others claimed they slept with students but not their own. On Saturday, September 21, at 1 :30 P M. the first of twenty cars, pulled out of the South Hall parking lot. The cars driven and navigated by students at UPAJ began, the sixty mile road rally sponsored by SG.
By 2 :10pm every car had left the campus, each on its way along the run from Holsopple to, Westmont and through other surrounding areas of Johnstown. Though the ‘required’ competition time for the rally should have been approximately one and one-half hours, every car had a later "finishing time. The first .place car had an off "the course" time of 16 minutes, compared to the last car to come, in with an "off course" time of 120 minutes. Standing at one of the three checkpoints was Dennis Turner who helped record times for the cars. His enthusiasm after the rally was fantastic. "This rally was better than any last year. More people finished the course with closer scores.” Indeed" they did. Driver Gus Russo and his navigator Walt Neiser of car #6 narrowly won the rally over Stan Stuchinski and his navigator Jim Ference, of car #22, only because Stan and Jim pulled into the South Hall parking lot instead of going past it. Because of this small error, they lost one critical point needed to tie for first,place. That night, a victory dance was held in Laurel. Hall for all students. At 10:30 P. M. a sizeable crowd watched as prizes were given out to the rally winners. Gus Russo and Walt Neiser, both first place winners in car #6, were awarded a victory trophy. The second place winners Stan Stuchinski and Jim Ferencewere each given a cup and one dollar. Driver John Bechtold and his navigator Greg Dick of car #10 were both given a cup, for placing third in the rally. It is the intention of the Student Government to hold another car rally later on in the year. Also on the Government‘ schedule is a dance on October 18, its theme being “the Dog Patch.” |
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