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Greeks Seek To Improve Image Through Philanthropy
By
Karen Martell
February 4, 2004
Pi Beta Phi sorority and Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity at Stanford
University have demonstrated recently that they can do a great
deal more than throw parties. The two groups have raised thousands
of dollars for tsunami relief.
Following December’s tsunami, Mira Rapp-Hooper, President
of Pi Beta Phi sorority, talked to fellow Pi Phi members about
how their group could assist the victims.
“We all agreed that we wanted our organization to take
part in the relief efforts,” Rapp-Hooper said, “and
the more we talked about it, we decided that the efforts should
encompass all students groups that had interest.”
Soon after, Rapp-Hooper approached Stanford President John Hennessy,
who helped to kick-start the effort with a personal donation
of $5,000. The work of Rapp-Hooper and others then played a key
role in the founding of the Stanford Students for Relief (SSR),
a student led and run organization that comprises over 15 different
Stanford student groups.
SSR has already raised $30,000 and hopes to raise $100,000 by
the end of February. All proceeds will be donated to the Save
the Children Tsunami Relief Effort.
SSR’s most successful event thus far took place January
29 at the Stanford men’s basketball game versus Oregon
State. SAE fraternity and the Pi Phi sorority members volunteered
at the game to collect donations and to distribute information
about Stanford Students for Relief.
Head coach Trent Johnson said, “I have been following
the students’ progress in the Stanford Daily and I have
been very impressed by their efforts. The vigor and compassion
of these students is remarkable.”
The 6th Man Club, the Stanford student fan club comprised of
approximately 2000 undergraduate and graduate students, donated
special Nike Stanford hats to students who contributed to the
relief.
Just as SSR motivated the Stanford basketball team and the 6th
Man Club to help, they have also reached out to other members
of the community. As Heather Payne, Philanthropy Co-Chair for
Pi Beta Phi, said, “It’s our job to get the word
out there. We’re doing our best to inform people and bring
students, alumni, and professors together.”
The students’ efforts are clearly paying off. “It’s
incredible, I don’t remember the last time students, alumni,
and professors united like this. It has been amazing to see how
shared compassion can overcome traditional barriers and spread
into all sectors of the community,” said Caity Rocha, the
Public Relations Chair of SSR and Philanthropy Co-Chair for Pi
Beta Phi.
The Greek community’s social network has served as an
effective mechanism to get students involved and to integrate
community service into the lives of college students.
“Pi Phi stands out as a shining example of how an organized
house can prove invaluable when there is an urgent need for volunteerism.
Not many other student organizations have this kind of infrastructure
and involvement,” said Srihari Yamanoor, Co-Chair of the
Stanford Students for Relief.
The participation of the Greek community in SSR is certainly
promoting a positive image of fraternities and sororities at
Stanford. “Many people in the larger Stanford community
had never heard of Pi Phi or SAE and those who had usually associated
them with partying and other negative influences,” said
Payne.
“The involvement of Pi Phi and SAE in SSR has led to making
our efforts a success and will surely rebut claims that Greek
organizations are channels that promote debauchery,” said
Yamanoor.
Aaron Gelband, a senior member of SAE, suggests that this transformation
goes beyond the image of Greek life alone. “Prior to the
tsunami relief effort, community service was a joke in our house.
The guys are now motivated, involved, and anxious to help.”
Suraj Patel, SAE’s philanthropy chair, said, “As
a house we’re really proud. After raising $12,000 at the
men’s basketball game, we realized that we have the potential
to make a significant difference. And what’s great is that
everyone had fun while we were at it.”
“It is true, SAE does more than just throw parties,” said
SAE President Adam Ballew.
Contact Karen Martell at martelka@stanford.edu
