The new fraternity in town
The editorial is the majority opinion of The Daily Eastern News editorial board.
Issue date: 11/11/05 Section: Opinions
It was announced this month that the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity had been given permission to explore the possibility of becoming Eastern's 12th fraternity.
That permission is automatically granted as part of National Interfraternity Conference policy on potential expansions.
The process began when officials with the fraternity approached Eastern about the possibility of expanding to this campus.
The group is starting with a list of 300 potentially interested students, and is planning to start with a pledge class of 20 to 30 people.
Although there were problems last spring, when the Delta Chi fraternity had its charter revoked, the Greek community has shown its importance to Eastern during the past year with the addition of Delta Delta Delta and perhaps Alpha Tau Omega.
The Greek community continues to be an integral part of Eastern, and it is encouraging to see it grow.
In addition to adding a chance for students to become active in non-academic campus events and service to the community, the Greek community provides a network that can help Eastern students advance later in life.
The Office of Greek Life has instituted a mentoring program where students are matched with alumni in the same field, regardless of if they were connected to the same fraternity or sorority when they were on campus.
This sort of networking is beneficial to the university's prestige and is normal in Greek circles.
The national organization of Alpha Tau Omega says its group's focuses are leadership, scholarship and charity.
While no one can deny that Greek organizations usually manage to find the time to have plenty of good times, they usually manage to improve the community around them and follow up on their lofty ideals.
"We are looking for competitive people who are looking for a challenge," said Steve Silcock, the associate director of expansion for the Alpha Tau Omega National Headquarters.
Some on campus are worried that the new fraternity could add to rivalries on campus, but Bob Dudolski, director of Greek Life, said he does not anticipate any problems.
The Greek community at Eastern adds to the culture of the university in a positive way, and it is encouraging to see it expanding along with the rest of university.
That permission is automatically granted as part of National Interfraternity Conference policy on potential expansions.
The process began when officials with the fraternity approached Eastern about the possibility of expanding to this campus.
The group is starting with a list of 300 potentially interested students, and is planning to start with a pledge class of 20 to 30 people.
Although there were problems last spring, when the Delta Chi fraternity had its charter revoked, the Greek community has shown its importance to Eastern during the past year with the addition of Delta Delta Delta and perhaps Alpha Tau Omega.
The Greek community continues to be an integral part of Eastern, and it is encouraging to see it grow.
In addition to adding a chance for students to become active in non-academic campus events and service to the community, the Greek community provides a network that can help Eastern students advance later in life.
The Office of Greek Life has instituted a mentoring program where students are matched with alumni in the same field, regardless of if they were connected to the same fraternity or sorority when they were on campus.
This sort of networking is beneficial to the university's prestige and is normal in Greek circles.
The national organization of Alpha Tau Omega says its group's focuses are leadership, scholarship and charity.
While no one can deny that Greek organizations usually manage to find the time to have plenty of good times, they usually manage to improve the community around them and follow up on their lofty ideals.
"We are looking for competitive people who are looking for a challenge," said Steve Silcock, the associate director of expansion for the Alpha Tau Omega National Headquarters.
Some on campus are worried that the new fraternity could add to rivalries on campus, but Bob Dudolski, director of Greek Life, said he does not anticipate any problems.
The Greek community at Eastern adds to the culture of the university in a positive way, and it is encouraging to see it expanding along with the rest of university.
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