By Kris Gutierrez and Justin Roche staff reporters The Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity was not granted its second charter extension Monday at the Interfraternity Council meeting and as a result, is no longer a recognized member of IFC. In a statement released by the IFC Executive Committee, a two-thirds vote from the IFC delegates was needed at the weekly meeting Monday in order for the Sig Eps to remain an IFC member. The IFC is composed of 28 voting members, including eight executive members and two delegates from each chapter. Rick Barnes, director of student organization services, said the guidelines of the IFC are clear about what has to happen for a fraternity to come to TCU and be officially recognized. "(The IFC) bylaws require that a new colony receives a charter within one year of coming on campus," Barnes said. "When (the Sig Eps) did not receive it in the first year, IFC suspended their bylaws." By suspending its bylaws, IFC granted the Sig Eps an extension in order for them to obtain their national charter, Barnes said. Andy McMillan, Sig Ep president, said in an interview last week that the only obstacle standing in the way of the charter renewal was the membership requirement. McMillan could not be reached for comment Monday night. An official statement released by Royce Carvalho, Sig Ep vice president of communication, said the Sig Eps are pursuing all options. "We would like to thank everyone who has supported us, and we are currently working with the university and IFC," according to the statement. Carvalho said he could not specify what actions were being considered or taken by the Sig Eps. This was the second motion by the Sig Eps to suspend the bylaws in order to complete the requirements for their national charter. Kristen Kirst, director of fraternity and sorority affairs, declined to comment. Barnes said he feels the fraternity will do everything it can to rectify the situation and that the university will do what it can to address the matter. "I'm sure that Sig Ep isn't going to quit," he said. "I think (TCU) will definitely make this a high priority. The student members of Sig Ep deserve that attention." According to a statement released late Monday night from the National Sig Ep headquarters, the situation has come to the attention of the national organization. "A fraternity official from headquarters is currently on campus working in cooperation with members of the chapter," according to the release. "Its alumni and volunteers, university officials and TCU's IFC (will) detail what steps will take place next."
Kris Gutierrez Justin Roche
By Kris Gutierrez staff reporter Delta Gamma kicked off Anchorsplash - its annual push to raise $5,000 for sight conservation and aid to the blind - Monday night as nine fraternities competed in a sign-hanging contest in Worth Hills. But sorority members said this year's Anchorsplash is unique because the week-long event is dedicated to the memory of TCU alumna Kim Jones, their sorority sister who was killed Wednesday in the shooting at Wedgwood Baptist Church. Jones graduated in December 1998. "The week is dedicated to her," said Natalie Franks, DG public relations director. "This is one of the ways that we've chosen to move on and keep her in our thoughts." Half of the money raised during Anchorsplash will benefit Fort Worth's Lighthouse for the Blind and the Alexander Eye Clinic, and the remainder will be sent to DG's national organization, which will distribute the funds on a national level. A six-on-six volleyball tournament will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the area adjacent to the Rickel Building parking lot, and no events are scheduled for Wednesday. Anchorsplash culminates on Thursday with a synchronized swimming contest between fraternity members. "Thursday is a fun day," Franks said. "The guys perform water ballet, and it's really funny." The water events will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Rickel Building, and they are open to the campus. Admission is $2. For a fraternity to "win" Anchorsplash, it must raise more money than any of the others. Last year's champion was Phi Kappa Sigma. "I think it's a wonderful event," said Marcus Craig, Phi Kapp president. "We're extremely pleased with last year's result, and we hope we can defend our title. Any time a Greek organization helps through philanthropy, it's to be commended." Participating fraternities can also win the event by donating money against other fraternities. The Mr. Anchorsplash money jars located in the Student Center help raise money for the blind, but they also serve as a weakness for other fraternities. Pennies put into a jar take away spirit points from that particular fraternity, while silver coins and paper money give the fraternity points. Spirit points can also be given to fraternity members who wear DG T-shirts. A new addition to this year's Anchorsplash is the "most beautiful eyes" contest. Students can vote on this event in the Student Center. The concept is the same as Mr. Anchorsplash, except each set of eyes belongs to a sorority member, one from each sorority. Whichever sorority raises the most money will split half the money it raises with the DGs.
Kris Gutierrez
By Carey Hix staff reporter With 140 members, the TCU Marching Band has experienced an increase in membership this fall after hitting a low of 116 members in 1998. Membership had been steadily decreasing since 1993, when it reached a high of 200 students, according to a statement released by Fred Velez, interim director of bands. Mainly because of its leadership, this year's band is stronger than any other TCU band in the recent past, Velez said.
In addition, John Alstrin, a senior music education major and drum major for the band, said a large freshman class and last year's Sun Bowl victory helped retain membership. "There's a good vibe going on," he said. "It's a positive, fun environment." Geoff Dale, a junior computer science major and president of Kappa Kappa Psi, the band fraternity, agreed, saying a winning football team seems to be a significant factor in attracting membership. "It's always nice playing for a winning football team that appreciates you," he said. "The band is the best it's been in three years because of the enthusiasm." Alstrin said recruiting techniques used by the music department have also had an impact. Velez said the department uses several different techniques to recruit new members: - Students and directors visit area high schools to recruit students - All-state band students receive invitations to TCU and information concerning scholarships - Incoming freshmen with high school band experience receive phone calls from band fraternity and sorority members the summer prior to their enrollment - Flyers and advertisements are distributed to each residence hall before school starts. Dale said he predicts people will see a higher level of music and marching from the band this year. "We're not your everyday, average, college marching band," he said. "That's what people are going to start noticing about TCU. It's a band that really moves. Most college bands don't really move at all. They just 'park and bark,' as we call it. "We're able to make a really interesting design on the field with our drills, and we play some really snappy tunes," Dale said. "The visual package has really improved."
Carey Hix |
"The group is really strong and very focused,"
he said. "The main thing is the student leadership that we were able
to pull together. The marching technicians, drum majors and student leaders
have made a commitment to really improving the group."| The TCU Daily Skiff © 1998, 1999 Credits |