Greeks Looking To Repair Tarnished Image
PSU Fraternities Want Fresh Start
POSTED: 10:35 p.m. EDT August 13, 2003
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. -- Some fraternities at Plattsburgh State University say the alleged hazing death of a student in March has left them with a bad reputation.
With school starting in less than two weeks, some are looking for a fresh start.
Members of Sigma Tau Gamma hope to give greeks a cleaner image.
"We're trying to improve the look of our house and property," said student Jaime Johnson.
"The fence went up to keep people off the lawn and we seeded the lawn to make the grass grow," added fellow student Steve Sweet, who says his fraternity is trying to separate itself from a stereotype.
Greeks, he says, are labeled as dirty drunks. But he alleges Sigma Tau is anything but.
"We're big into community service, getting involved with the community and providing a home away from home for our members," Sweet said.
Sigma Tau says it's been taking steps to spruce up the greek image for years. But members said these efforts are particularly important because their home is just a block away from the Psi Epsilon Chi house, where a student was allegedly hazed to death last semester.
"I think what happened at Psi Epsilon Chi is a terrible tragedy and hazing is unacceptable," said Sweet.
Sweet says he supports the school's new policies for greeks: no keg parties and no open parties. He also believes Sigma Tau will raise the bar even further -- especially when it comes to keeping an orderly appearance.
According to Johnson: "No one likes being outdone, and if one property looks better than another..."
Then maybe the other greeks will clean up their acts, too.
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