The Compass Friday, Novembers, 1995 11
Community service is a driving force
for University’s Greek organizations
Members of Delta Sigma Theta "step” for High School Day, held on campus Sept. 30. From left they are: Dana Phillips,
Denise Edwards, Crystal Keys, Felicia Bass, Stacia McPhadden and Tera Caldwell. phoio by jamie Jordan
by Tamika Spruill
When most ECSU students think of
Greek-letter organizations, they think
of step-shows, parties and the respect
that Greeks get "on the yard."
But how many students know that,
at ECSU, AKAs sponsor blood drives.
Deltas tutor young girls. Sigma Gamma
Rhos sponsor "PTA Baby-sitting," and
the Ques sponsor a "Welcome Back to
school Party for kids?"
Community service projects are an
important, though little recognized,
aspect of Greek life.
"Community service projects are the
primary goal and concern of Greek or
ganizations," said Yushawnda Thomas,
a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.
Members of other sororities and fra
ternities agree.
"Alpha Kappa Alpha deals with com
munity service projects as our primary
^oal," said AKA president Karen
Fennell. "Everything else is secondary."
Deltas derive great satisfaction from
tutoring and advising girls at Sheep
Harney Elementary School in their
"Project Simshine" program.
"Not only have we helped these girls
with their schoolwork and individual
problems, but relationships have also
been formed," said Delta Sigma Theta
President, Teia Stephenson.
In addition to Project Sunshine, Delta
Sigma Theta visits and aids elderly
nursing home residents and gives
scholarships to worthy students.
Sigma Gamma Rho's "PTA Baby-sit
ting" project gets parents involved with
their children's education, offers tutor
ing, and has structtired homework and
reading activities for elementary school
students.
This year. Omega Psi Phi (the Ques)
sponsored a "Welcome Back to School
Party," with the purpose of helping kids
stay in school, according to Que Presi
dent Gary Brown. The party consisted
of speeches, refreshments and a step-
show.
Omega Psi Phi also conducts "Feed
a Family" programs, volimteer tutor
ing and "Stay in School Step Shows."
"We give our time and effort to local
community centers," Brown said.
Alpha Phi Alpha participates in nu
merous convmunity service projects in
cluding registering people to vote
through the "Voteless People is a Hope
less People" campaign, student forums,
and Habitat for Humanity programs.
"Our projects are constantly chang
ing due to the needs of the conunu-
ruty," said Thomas Clifton, President
of Alpha Phi Alpha.
Sigma Gamma Rho participates in
"Adopt a Grandparent/Child."
"Our community projects look for
who has been the most neglected in
the community," said Simona Simons,
President of Sigma Gamma Rho.
Phi Beta Sigma works with 4H, com
munity churches and the Big Buddies
program in Sawyer Town, and holds a
clothes drive. Sigmas also serve as big
brothers to disadvantaged youths in
Elizabeth City.
"When we think of community ser
vice projects we think of who can we
help the most," said Sigma President
Gerald White.
Greeks say their commimity service
projects are all nonprofit. "Just being a
member of Beta Zeta and Alpha Phi
Alpha Fraterruty outweighs any need
for reimbursement," said Thomas
Clifton. "We offer from our hearts,
there's no expectation of payment."
Greeks who work on conrmiunity ser
vice projects say their rewards come
from within. "The members of our or
ganization receive the satisfaction of
helping others," said Sigma president
Gerald White.
"The more you give the more you
learn," said Simona Simons, president
of Sigma Garmna Rho. "You gain a
sense of inner peace, cooperation and
tolerance from helping people.
"Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha
gain responsibility, develop leadership
and commimication skills, and leam
how to care about people," said AKA
president Karen Fennell.
Greeks say that, while they are do
ing their fair share, there is always more
that needs to be done.
Omega Psi Phi President Gary Brown
simis up this concept with "We leam
not to be content with satisfaction. We
have to learn not to be satisfied or for
get that there are always those less for
tunate that we can help."
Students complain about dorm evacuation prior to break-in
by Tiffany Newell
When freshman Nikki Payne re
turned to Mitchell-Lewis dorm after
having been evacuated for the week
end due to maintenance repairs, she
was upset to find her room had been
burglarized.
"I felt violated," she said. "I don't
trust anybody now."
The thieves took her television, ra
dio, CDs, VCR, VCR tapes, computer.
Game Boy, books, book bag, and other
personal items. Estimated loss: at least
$2,000.
Thieves took $7,000 worth of items
from eight rooms in the Sept. 23 bur
glary, according to investigating officer
Kent Felton. This includes televisions,
CD players, answering machines, tele
phones, clothes and other personal items.
Students were angry not only about
the loss of their belongings, but also
with what they say was the University's
failure to notify them in a timely man
ner that they were to be evacuated from
their rooms.
"We were notified at the last minute
which caused a lot of conflict," said
Unis Rogers, a resident of Mitchell-
Lewis.
Payne said she heard a rumor the
dorm would be closed for the week
end on the "16th or 17th." When she
asked Mitchell-Lewis Dorm Director
Cymera Banks about the rumor, she
was told a letter would be sent out on
the 19th to notify students the dorm
would be closed for the weekend.
"They had no consideration for the
out-of-state students," said Payne.
"They tried to rush us."
Cymera Banks, however, feels stu
dents were given adequate time to find
housing.
"Students were given at least 12 days
prior notice that the dorm would
close," she said.
Students later met with Dr. Leon
White, Vice Chancellor for Student Af
fairs and Housing Director Kenneth
Roberts. In that meeting they were
asked to move in with students in the
new woman's dorm while the repairs
were being made. The students asked
to be allowed to go to a hotel, however.
On the 22nd, officials told the stu
dents they would stay in the Holiday
Inn.
According to Banks, students who
could not find housing were asked to
sign a list so that they could be placed
in a hotel room. Students who re
quested housing were housed in the
Holiday Inn. Those who didn't had to
move to the New Women's Dormitory
or Bias Hall.
Felton said the ECSU's Campus Se
curity Department is working with the
Pasquotank County Sheriff's Depart
ment, the Elizabeth City Detective Di
vision and the State Bureau of Investi
gation in an effort to solve the break-
in.
"We have very good leads," he said,
adding that police have suspects in the
crime.
Felton is asking for anyone with in
formation concerning the crime to call
Crime Line at 335-3555 or the Detec
tive Division at 335-3762.