Rachel Logan, Copy Editor
April 12, 2017

After a recent temporary suspension of Kappa Zeta, Pitt-Johnstown is home to only one social sorority out to four social fraternities.

Finance and Administration Vice President Amy Buxbaum, also a Campus Title IX coordinator, said that there is no violation of equal opportunity for men and women.

“(Pitt-Johnstown) does not organize these groups or recruit for them. We simply provide equal opportunities for both sororities and fraternities to organize on campus.

“This is different than varsity athletics programs, which we actively organize and direct, which are subject to Title IX.”

A memorandum from the federal Department of Education, dated May 3, 1989, noted the difference between social Greek life and professional, service or honorary Greek life. Title IX, the memo says, applies to service and honorary organization in that they may not exclude members based on gender.

“Under Title IX and the implementing regulation, the membership practices of social fraternities and sororities are specifically excluded from coverage if the active membership consists primarily of students in attendance at institutes of higher education, and the fraternity or sorority is exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code.”

Pitt-Johnstown administrators thus do not guarantee the presence of equal Greek life opportunities on campus. Student Affairs Vice President Shawn Brooks said such matters stay on the student level, unless things go awry.

According to Brooks, there have been as many as four social sororities on campus in recent years, but two have been suspended for possible hazing, and one has been removed by its national sponsor.

Brooks said that those looking to organize a social fraternity or sorority on campus could connect with the national organization they wish as a sponsor, then petition the Pan-Helenic council.
“It’s a separate process for recognition. It doesn’t rise to the administrative level. Our role is very limited unless things go absolutely haywire.”

Currently, the sorority Alpha Gamma Delta is eligible to return to campus if they wish to recolonize, a process that takes about half a year, Brooks said.

Greek Affairs Director Shaun Hemphill did not respond to attempts to contact him.

The president of the remaining sorority on campus, Phi Sigma Sigma, declined comment.

READ MORE: Only 1 sorority is left

Rachel Logan, Copy Editor
March 29, 2017

Last spring, it was announced that club and organization members would no longer be able to sell student-made food at fundraising events and bake sales. In early March, it was announced that some would be allowed.

Still, for non-fundraising events, such as meetings and social events, club and organization members are required to order food through Sodexo, the new rules say.

As before, to be able to sell food, at least one student from an organization must attend a Sodexo-sponsored food-handling workshop. This workshop is to be offered only once a semester.

The policy states that food sales are to be allowed in Krebs Hall, Blackington Hall and the Engineering and Science Building at any time, and in Biddle Hall after 4 p.m., after Jazzman’s Café is closed.

As always, baked goods, such as cookies or doughnuts, are able to be sold if they are from a certified safe vendor, but care should be taken that no one but a gloved club member may serve food that is not prepackaged.

Before restrictions were added last spring, the number of food fundraisers per week on campus was not restricted.

“Two food sales are permitted per week. Only one of the two food sales can be a meal-type sale between the hours of 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.,” the rules say.

Sales of precooked meat items are permitted, as are sales of subs and sandwiches. Subs and sandwiches must be pre-ordered from a certified vendor.

Sodexo staff are to provide a sign displaying possible allergens present in food being sold.

Club and organization members looking to raise money are now able to assist Sodexo employees for $25 an hour per club at campus events where food is to be sold. Such requests are to be submitted to Sodexo General Manager Kevin Dicey.

Requests for food sales should be presented to Student Affairs Assistant Vice President Bob Knipple and should be submitted as far in advance as possible, and no less than two weeks before the event.
According to Knipple, efforts to modify the policy started in early February. The topic was discussed at a Jan. 25 Faculty Senate meeting.

“The policy was changed in response to students, student groups and club and organization advisers who felt the policy was too restrictive.”

Knipple said that nine students representing 11 clubs and organizations attended the recent food-handling workshop, including Delta Sigma Chi, History Club and Catholic Campus Ministry.

“Moving forward, we will schedule the sessions earlier in the semester. My goal is to roll it into the club and organization officers’ meeting that we conduct at the start of the semesters,” Knipple said.

“So far, reaction to the new policy has been favorable. I need to give a shout out to Kevin Dicey for not only working to develop this new policy, but for offering the opportunity for clubs and organization (members) to actually earn money by helping Sodexo at student-sponsored events.”

Alan Walstad, Kappa Delta Rho’s adviser, was one of the more vocal advocates for policy change.
Walstad said that his organization has been known to sell pulled-pork sandwiches in the past.
“Now we can do that again because pulled pork is precooked.”

Walstad said that a couple of the advising faculty met with Finance and Administration Vice President Amy Buxbaum and Dicey to revise the rules to be closer to the way they were previously.

“There were basically two reasons why they wanted (restrictions),” Walstad said.

Walstad said safety was one concern of Sodexo managers.

“All agreed that no student organizations should be working with raw meat.”

Walstad noted that the second big reason the restrictions had to do with possible competition with Sodexo sales.

“We are hoping we made a reasonable accord.”

READ MORE: Club members reclaim bake sale right

Eden Cohen, Contributing Writer
March 27, 2017

Approximately 35 people attended a presidential debate March 20 in Blackington Hall. The debate was among candidates for student government president and vice president.

Candidates ran in four tickets: sophomore Julia Adams with freshman Jamie Poepoe, sophomore John Kopsick with sophomore Gretchen Shepard and sophomore Sam Miller with junior Sarah Francowic. Junior Joe Evanko also is running with junior Brady Willis.

The debate began with Adams and Poepoe’s opening statement, in which Adams declared their withdrawal from the race and joined the audience.

In Kopsick’s opening statement, he said he and Shepard would make the student government more trustworthy.

Miller outlined a three-point plan in his statement: to support sports, partner with Greek life and amend the budgeting process.

In his opener, Evanko promised an easy transition between presidents facilitated by the most student government experience.

Kopsick said the president acts as the student body’s face. Miller said the president is to decide the government’s direction. Evanko said the president’s role is to expect more of senators.

“The president should be holding our senators to a higher standard,” Evanko said.

Each candidate said they felt their ticket was qualified to lead.

Kopsick emphasized his fraternal leadership through Kappa Delta Rho and the interfraternal council. These positions already connect him to students who bring him ideas, he said.

Miller’s student government experience comes from being parliamentarian and co-chair on an ad hoc committee. He said also he has leadership experience from being a resident assistant, a tour guide and officer in three student organizations.

Evanko said he has three years of association experience and has served as treasurer and Allocations Committee co-chair. He is also a tutor and student instructor, which he said equips him with the public speaking skills needed to run meetings. His relationships with key administrators is also valuable, he said.

For reaching agreements with administrators, Miller emphasized pragmatic compromise. Evanko said senators should continue to raise concerns to administrators after being denied but seek eventual compromise.

To increase senator and executive board involvement in the student government, Evanko proposed assigning more titles to increase accountability. He also mentioned impeachment and requesting resignations, as well as the vice president setting weekly committee agendas.

Miller said a controlled meeting lies with a stern parliamentarian, and he has the experience to appoint an apt one.

The most pressing campus issue, Kopsick said, is food complaints. Since he is close to Sodexo General Manager Kevin Dicey, he said he can bandage communications between students and employees.

Evanko agreed that involvement is the largest issue, and proposed making the association’s existing executive board representatives into Greek and Programming Board liaisons.

Junior attendee Paige Cullinan said she appreciated how each candidate brought up a different point. She agreed that both campus involvement and food were pressing, but she said she personally identified with the food issue because she has a food allergy.

On how to use the log cabin, Miller said to continue its current use but to advertise it more.

“One thing we really focus on is using (student government) as a tool and resource for clubs,” he said.

Kopsick echoed the need for advertisement and suggested a musicians’ practice space or a Greek Life venue.

Sophomore attendee Patrick Troy said this topic interested him most, since he had never considered it.

“It’s something I’ve never really thought about, and I like Sam (Miller)’s emphasis on advertisement,” he said.

Current association president Kyle Maguire asked candidates how they would handle a student petition to censor the media.

The media serves students, Kopsick said, so its members should write what students want to see.
Miller called for compromise before action. Although the petition is representative, he said, the media is also comprised of students. Francowic said her experience as a newspaper editor and senator lets her understand both sides, but that censorship is unconstitutional and always looks bad. However, she said there is always room for compromise.

Evanko agreed that censorship is unacceptable, but that media’s funding should not come from the student activities fee. Seeking another funding source should appease both sides, he said.

In his closing statement, Kopsick said he and Shepard would make the association more active, honest and dependable.

“We will make a more trustworthy (student government),” Kopsick said.

Miller closed by reiterating his ticket’s experience with programming, the newspaper and campus employment. They have an honest and rule-abiding association record, he said. He and his running mate also are willing to admit their flaws and be more forward, he said.

Evanko said campus life should thrive, sports attendance should increase and the association should partner with Greek organizations. He said he and Willis are the most experienced, dependable and reliable candidates.

Compared with last year’s debate, Troy said, this year’s was more interesting due to diverse platforms and more plentiful candidates.

Cullinan said this debate made it harder to choose a candidate because they all had prepared and professional answers. Current president Kyle Maguire has done a wonderful job, she said, and he will be hard to replace by any candidate.

“This is going to be a tough race, but I wish them all the best of luck,” Cullinan said.

The presidential election is to be held March 27 and 28 through campusservices at upj.pitt.edu.

READ MORE: Student leaders argue for support

In an attempt to increase fraternity pledges, Student Affairs Vice President Shawn Brooks is working with fraternity leaders.

Interfraternal Council president and Kappa Delta Rho member Zak Muto said two representatives from each fraternity get together weekly to discuss events and activities, and he then meets with Brooks.

One proposed change is moving from an open party system to a closed party system.

“My challenge for frats was, if you think you exist to party and you provide people with a party, and then they get to leave your house after the party, why would they ever join your organization?” said Brooks.

When fraternities host open parties, they allow anyone to enter.

Alternatively, when fraternities host closed parties, a list is created and given to Pitt-Johnstown officials naming all students expected to be inside the fraternity house.

If individuals are found inside the house who are not on the list, the fraternity gets in trouble.
Another proposed change is adding Greek-life-specific tutors for upper-level classes that do not have tutors.

“Higher-level-class tutoring will provide experiences (to fraternity members) that they couldn’t stumble into on their own,” said Brooks.

Sigma Tau Gamma President Gary Swope said that the changes are for the best.
“Personally, I think closed parties are going to help recruitment because, if we just let anyone who’s able to come in come in during an open party, they won’t really get to know us.
​
“I think that tutors will be a good thing because grades are really important to me and that’s something we really look for when we recruit new guys – guys that really want to do well instead of partying and being reckless,” said Swope.

“Everyone (at Delta Sigma Chi) is very excited to see the changes these new ideas will bring to Greek life,” said Delta Sigma Chi brother and Interfraternal Council representative Ryan Daly.
Kappa Delta Rho members also are excited to see the new changes.

“I think it’s a good thing; it’s going to promote Greek life on campus a little bit more,” said Muto.
“The whole reason I joined Greek life is to help me build myself as a person and build myself professionally.

“With this whole program, I feel that you have to be more outgoing; you have to make your presence more well-known. It’s just another way to get our name out there and grow Greek life as a whole. I feel like this is going to help us get there,” said Muto.

Former fraternity members Alex Scanga and Steven Stotz said they fear the potential repercussions of these changes and feel that these changes are another way the school is attempting to police fraternities.
​
“I disagree that closed parties will help enrollment. Open parties pique interest more than closed parties,” said Scanga.

READ MORE: Closed parties in plan to up Greek numbers

Peijia Zhang, News Editor
March 23, 2016
​
Pitt-Johnstown fraternities’ members are working to make the fraternities more desirable for students to join, according to Student Affairs Vice President Shawn Brooks.

He said he suggested that fraternity brothers rethink the way they conduct social events in order to make them more exclusive and by invitation only.

Brooks said he meets with interfraternity council members during their meetings, and the last time they met was prior to spring break.

Party guidelines were a main topic discussed at their last meeting, according to Brooks.

He suggested that they hold more closed parties instead of having all parties open to all students and provide brothers with connections to the fraternities’ alumni, and internship as well as job opportunities.

Delta Sigma Chi President David Urbassik, a senior accounting major, said there is a concern about students’ lack of interest in Greek life on campus in general.

Urbassik said he knew that there were about 30 brothers in his fraternity at one point in the ’80s, but there are only about 15 active brothers now.

“And it’s really confusing why people are not interested in Greek life any more,” he said.

He said a possible reason for the lack of interest is that some of the activities they do are unseen by many students.

He said there is a misconception among some students that all the brothers do is party.

“We help out. We do community service. We try to make the school a better place for everybody,” Urbassik said.

He said the brothers meet every week to discuss plans for the coming weekend and make sure they keep up with service hours.

Having been in Delta Sigma Chi for two and a half years, Urbassik said he was the fraternity’s social chair last year, and he is also the vice president of the interfraternity council this year.

He said the council has biweekly meetings, during which they share house news and any campus-related information.

There are two brothers from each active fraternity on campus constituting the eight-members council, according to Urbassik.

Besides Delta Sigma Chi, the other three active fraternities are Kappa Delta Rho, Sigma Tau Gamma and Delta Chi, according to Pitt-Johnstown’s website.

Brooks said the fraternities should provide the brothers with a value-added experience because, at the end of the day, how their time is  spent outside of their classes should help them get employed.

“It’s a no-brainer,” Brools said, referring to connecting with alumni network.
“I think that the sense of belonging is important.”

Emily Moore, Staff Writer
February 17, 2016
​
The Pitt-Johnstown Intramural coed volleyball league currently unfolding at the Wellness Center has had an increase in popularity.

Senior Brandin Hilty, a member of One Bump Chumps, said that it was a great turnout this year.
“There are more players than there were last season,” Hilty said.

With only 13 teams playing, they are all competing for a shot to win the league championship during the first week of March.

One Bump Chumps sophomore player Jake Ardelitz said that his team is focusing on having fun.
“We just want to have a good time and see what happens,”Ardeliz said.

“We are doing better than last year, so hopefully we make it to the championship and snag a free shirt.”

The One Bump Chumps are 3-1 heading into the end of their season, but still have to face the teams Unprotected Sets, Sig Tau and Will Work for Sets before attempting to qualify for the championship game.

Junior Jordan Keibler said that this is the first season he is playing coed volleyball.
“It seems legit,” Keibler said.

Some other teams playing are the Blazin’ Ballers, Gold Diggers and Take a Hit, along with The Smash.

More teams like Delta Chi, 2 Legit 2 Hit and Cash Money Heroes are also trying to make an impact in the season.

League games are held every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the Wellness Center at either 9, 10, or 11 p.m.

According to Hilty, as soon as the volleyball season is over, they will continue their team into the second half of the semester.

Coed volleyball is to also continue with a new season in the second half of the semester as well, playing with new rosters and new teams.

One Bump Chumps is to play Thursday at 9 p.m. against Unprotected Sets, followed by The Smash against Delta Sigma Chi at 10 p.m, and Basement Dwellers against 2 Legit 2 Hit at 11 p.m.
​
Other intramural sports offered at the Wellness Center include flag/powder puff football, 5v5 and 3v3 basketball and whiffle ball, along with competitive and coed soccer.

More information can be found on the Pitt-Johnstown Athletics website.

READ MORE: Recreation leagues increase in popularity

JOHNSTOWN, PA - The newly forming UPJ Greek Alumni Council, the GAC, is excited to announce some special events for Fraternity and Sorority Alumni during Pitt-Johnstown's Homecoming celebration on Saturday, September 26, 2015.  In addition to  Alumni events hosted by the University there will be several "Greek Only" festivities where Greek Alumni can renew old friendships and make new memories.  

There are THREE EVENTS scheduled for SATURDAY HOMECOMING 2015!

As a final note...
In celebration with the creation of the GAC it is only fitting that we pay tribute to those Greek Organizations who spearheaded the entire Greek movement at UPJ. Without them, no other organization would exist.

Celebrating Renunions in 2015 are:

• Lambda Sigma Rho 55th Renunion (April 1961)
  
• Chi Epsilon Nu 50th Reunion (November 1965)

The apartments’ renovation plan is not finalized, but, as of now, renovations include new heating and air-conditioning units, balconies removal and new living room windows. Roof replacement, new carpet and kitchens also are part of the plan, according to Buxbaum.

Safety updates also are to be included in the renovations such as improving electrical issues, fire alarms and adding sprinklers, Buxbaum said.

Hawthorn Lodge is to have updated bathrooms this summer along with finishing up the renovation at Highland Townhouses, Buxbaum said.

“The townhouses’ renovations include new windows, drywall, carpet, paint, built in closets, ceiling tile, kitchen cabinets, counters, appliances and new bathrooms,” Buxbaum said.

Buckhorn and Sunset Lodges are in future renovation plans, according to Buxbaum.

Junior Joseph Walker said even if he had the option to live in the apartments, he wouldn’t because he likes living in the townhouses and not having to drive to campus for class.

Walker said he doesn’t live in a renovated townhouse, but would like to in the future.

“I would like a dishwasher and maybe a full bathroom downstairs,” Walker said.

A sophomore, Hawthorne Lodge resident, Kyla Colcombe said she would like to see showers and the buildings’ foundations renovated.

Due to the snow melting, Colcombe’s lodge flooded because of cracks in the foundation.

“I would like it to be done faster, but I think three to four years is a realistic goal, when I heard it was to take up to seven years in the past,” Colcombe said.

READ MORE: "Housing renovations to be finished sooner"

January 20 2015: NEWS: Fair has few attendees but many tables  Tags: Acacia, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Chi, Kappa Delta Rho, Kappa Zeta, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Tau Gamma

Despite the high turnout of club representatives, students interested in joining them seemed few and far between.

Thomas Plutt, Role-Playing Games Club president, said that last semester at the activities fair, club members had approximately 30 students sign up with new interest.

“We had only one or two names on our list from this semester’s activities fair,” said Plutt.

Plutt said he felt the Role-Playing Games Club did not have enough time to fully prepare for the fair.

Among the students who attended the fair to learn about different organizations was Pitt-Johnstown junior Joseph Walker.

“I didn’t even know about the fair until I was walking past it in the Student Union,” said Walker.

October 28 2014: NEWS: Pitt Johnstown Homecoming 2014 [video] Tags: Acacia, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Chi, Kappa Delta Rho, Kapp Zeta, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Tau Gamma