ATO News - February 2005

Zeta Tau Alpha raises money for breast cancer in BMOC competition
February 28, 2005 - Purdue Exponent

Big Man On Campus is Zeta Tau Alpha sorority's annual fund-raiser for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and is a series of events throughout the week including penny wars, T-shirt sales and a male beauty pageant...

The overall winner was George Hwang of Alpha Tau Omega. Hwang is a senior in the College of Liberal Arts and performed a choreographed hip-hop dance for the talent portion. He thanks all of the contestants and especially Zeta Tau Alpha for all of their efforts toward the fund-raiser...



System reforms charity events
February 28, 2005 - The Daily Orange

Giving is going dry for the greek system at Syracuse University, said Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council administrators. It used to be fraternity men and sorority women could raise money for a good cause while enjoying a cold beer, but the Office of Greek Life and Experiential Learning, Panhellenic Council and the IFC are working to clean up the philanthropy system this year...

Under previous OGLEL administrations, the greek system was entirely corrupt, said Steven Chamberlain, faculty advisor for Alpha Tau Omega...

Bill proposes inspections for frat, sorority houses
February 25, 2005 - The Reflector

The fire that destroyed Ole Miss's[web/tickets] Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house last semester, killing three students, rose the question of who is responsible for enforcing fire safety regulations for fraternity and sorority houses in Mississippi. That question may be answered soon, as a new bill proposing that the State Fire Marshal's office should have the sole authority to inspect and set fire safety guidelines for fraternity and sorority houses is waiting to be passed.

The bill has passed the Mississippi House of Representatives and is now awaiting approval by the state Senate. ...

Alumni to be inducted into OSU Hall of Fame
February 25, 2005 - The Daily O'Collegian

The Oklahoma State University  [web/tickets] Alumni Association will induct three OSU graduates into its Hall of Fame tonight. Charlie Eitel, Fran Jabara and Willard Sparks will be honored by the Alumni Association for their "outstanding professional and personal achievements as well as their humanitarian achievements," said Anne Scott, director of Student Programs for the Alumni Association...

"When I arrived at OSU, I had just gotten out of the Army in World War II, and I was very impressed with it," Jabara said. During his time at OSU, Jabara also helped organize Alpha Tau Omega, the fraternity. ...

Dan Bawinkel
February 25, 2005 - Rockford Register Star

Who is he? Dan, 41, is the general manager of Luxury Bath and Kitchen Design Studio, 5436 N. Second St., Loves Park. He is on the Building Construction Advisor Board at Rock Valley College and is the alumni president of the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at Southern Illinois University [web/tickets]. ...

$4,122,483
February 21, 2005 - Digital Collegian - Penn State  [web/tickets]

Last night, as the 48 hours came to an end and 704 dancers fell to Rec Hall's floor, it was announced that the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon raised a record breaking total of $4,122,483.65 for the Four Diamonds Fund -- $574,768 more than last year's total.

For the tenth year in a row, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity ... and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority took first place for the most money raised by a greek organization with $269,428.52.

Three Miss. Legislature bills affect universities
February 18, 2005 - The Reflector

Mississippi legislators are considering three bills that concern state universities and colleges. The deadline to propose new legislation for this session was Feb. 10. The state House of Representatives passed three bills on to the state Senate that could affect MSU [web/ tickets] students. Senate committees are currently reviewing the proposals. ...

House Bill 1132 allows state fire inspections for fraternity and sorority houses. The bill comes after a fire burned down the University of Mississippi's [web/ tickets] Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house in August, killing three. The Senate Insurance Committee is currently reviewing the proposal. ...

Multi-sport athlete shines at Emory
February 18, 2005 - Emory Wheel

College sophomore Drew Harbur's list of high school athletic accomplishments runs longer than a spoiled child's final Christmas list. ...

Harbur focused himself in academics enough to become an Emory [web/tickets] Scholar. Harbur has even taken an active role in many campus groups. He's a sophomore adviser. He also shares time between the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, the campus life comittee, Residence Hall Association, Student Government Association, Mock Trial and tutoring. ...

Greek community unites regardless of housing status
February 18, 2005 - The Parthenon

Marshall University [web/tickets] has 21 Greek chapters, but only 12 of these organizations have a house. ...

People join a Greek organization because they want to be associated with the chapter, not the house, Andy Hermansdorfer, director of student activities and Greek affairs said. ..

... Alpha Tau Omega and Pi Kappa Alpha now occupy the two houses where Phi Mu once lived. ...

Fraternity's sanctions lifted by UD
February 17, 2005 - The News Journal

Sanctions against a University of Delaware  [web/tickets] fraternity suspended on several alcohol and safety violations were lifted Wednesday and the school announced it will hold new judicial proceedings on the charges.

Alpha Tau Omega, which had been suspended for four years by the university in January, challenged the school's judicial procedures earlier this month in a Chancery Court lawsuit. ATO asked the court to stop the university and Newark from enforcing the suspension and eviction until the case is resolved.

Randy Reed
February 17, 2005 -

The Troy University  [web/tickets] student government president will soon be elected. Do you have a favorite yet? Many Trojans do not know much about the candidates, so here is a brief overview of their interviews. ...

The second candidate in this series is Randy Reed, a junior majoring in political science from Citronelle. Randy graduated from Citronelle High School. In his years at Troy University he has been involved in many organizations including the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, College Republicans, SGA senator for the College of Arts and Sciences, Political Science Club, Student Affairs Judicial Committee and Pentecostal Campus Ministries. His leadership experience started in high school. He was the Future Business Leaders of America's chaplain and junior/senior class president. In college, his qualifications include experiences such as SGA chairman, a leadership scholar, nominee for freshman of the year, IMPACT leader, resident director of the Hillcrest House and the president of the Pentecostal Campus Ministries.

Reed was eager to tell us what new ideas he had to offer the students of Troy. "We should not look at what SGA is doing for me, but what we can do together with SGA," quoted Reed.

Randy's main idea he would like to implement is the Student Government Association's Web site. He plans to add a comment section and then keep the site updated. "The site needs to be newer and nicer. The main purpose of the site should be to keep students informed about what the SGA is doing for them," added Reed. Although he said the other candidate's backgrounds are good, he believes his strategy as well as his platform is better than the others. "I view the position as more than just a desk," Reed said.

The phrase Reed would like everyone to remember on Election Day is change versus the same. He wants the voters to know that taking action is getting results, and taking on problems is getting results. He said would listen to problems. He plans to push the SGA forward and turn around "What is SGA doing for me?" to say "What can we do together?" Find out more information at www.reed05.com...

Top money-raising greeks talk success
February 16, 2005 - The Digital Collegian

Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority have had a nine-year reign as winners of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.

Last year, they took home the crown again for raising $257,999.81 -- the most money raised by a greek organization at Thon. ...

"This year we don't have a large corporate donation, just a few small family businesses giving a small sum of money," said Malik Rollins, president of Alpha Tau Omega. ...

Locust Walk: An impetus for change
February 15, 2005 - Daily Pennsylvanian

Locust Walk isn't what it used to be. In the last 40 years, partially due to unfortunate events and subsequent protests, fraternities have slowly disappeared from the one-time "frat row." ...

In 1983, an incident at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity triggered both the growth of the women's movement at Penn[web/tickets] and an increased focus in the movement against fraternities. On the night of Feb. 17, a young woman attending a party at the ATO house ended up in a bedroom upstairs, where several male Penn students allegedly raped her. ...

AGR, AOPi capture Lip Sync trophies
February 15, 2005 - The Pacer

...Last were the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega with songs from John Travolta soundtracks. They started out with "Greased Lightning," then "Change" and "Staying Alive". They ended the show with the Grease classic, "We Go Together". Second place went to the brothers of ATO while first place and best of show went to the brothers of AGR. Matthew Young, a senior AGR Ag Business major from Pulaski, Tennessee said, "The whole Lip Sync show was very entertaining, all of the organizations did a great job!"

Club Corner
February 15, 2005 - WPI Tech News

This past week, the brothers of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity ran a 50/50 raffle in support of the Why me? Foundation, a local charity who helps families cope with terminal illness. We raised a total of one hundred dollars with our efforts. We would like to convey a special thanks to the Men's Basketball team and our Athletic Director, Dana Harmon, for allowing us to run our raffle at one of their games. Hopefully in the near future, we will hold another event like this. I would also like to thank the Brothers of ATO for sacrificing their time, and the students, faculty and parents who donated their money to such a worthy cause.

Alpha Chi Omega sorority tops greek GPAs
February 14, 2005 - Crimson White Online

... Alpha Tau Omega fraternity fell from No. 1 to No. 2 in the fraternal GPA rankings for the first time in the last 11 semesters. The fraternity had originally released a statement based on preliminary GPA tallies claiming that it had placed first again, but retracted it after the official results were released.

Joseph Cox, spokesman for Alpha Tau Omega, said the fraternity had no disputes with the official results. ...

Financing frat houses a risky business
February 13, 2005 - Muncie Star Press

For fraternities to survive these days, Lambda Chi Alpha alumnus John Schmitz believes they must win what he calls a high-stakes financial game. "There are so many costs that come with operating a house ... the mortgage, the insurance, the upkeep," he explained. "On top of that, it's hard to compete with off-campus housing. You struggle to give these men a little bang for their buck." ...

Lambda Chi is the sixth fraternity to vacate its house on Riverside and McKinley avenues. Three others - Beta Theta Pi, Delta Chi and Alpha Tau Omega - defaulted on loan agreements co-signed with Ball State. ...



Frat asks court to prevent eviction
February 12, 2005 - News Journal

...Alpha Tau Omega also asked the court last week to declare the city's zoning code "unconstitutional and unenforceable" because it unfairly discriminates against fraternities and sororities. The city does not allow new fraternity houses off campus. ...

University officials earlier this week offered to let fraternity members stay in the house for the spring semester, as long as there were no parties, pledging or alcohol. ...

Rick Miller, an attorney representing the fraternity, said: "The university did not want the house to act as a fraternity while the case was pending. The fraternity believes their case is strong enough." ...

ATO party raises cans for needy
February 11, 2005 - Vanderbilt Hustler

This weekend, a campus fraternity combined service with its social event in an effort to solicit donations of canned food from partygoers. The brothers of Alpha Tau Omega held their first major philanthropy event of the semester last Saturday and called it "A Party for a Purpose." ...

Carson Thoma, president of the fraternity, was proud of the event and of having a party for a cause. "The Vanderbilt community worked together with the brothers of AT? to benefit the less fortunate," Thoma said. "I think we all had a really good time Saturday night. It made everyone feel good to know that we were helping the Nashville community, and we are already planning several more philanthropy events for this semester and next year." ...

Groups aim to alter off-campus climate
February 11, 2005 - The Chronicle

In the beer-saturated aftermath of the most recent spree of student parties near East Campus, an increasing number of people are demanding that something be done to change Duke's growing off-campus party scene. ...

...senior Chris Carlberg, who lives with several of his Alpha Tau Omega fraternity brothers off East Campus, said they now throw parties that last from 6 to 10 p.m. Earlier parties, Carlberg said, allow students to be "be more considerate of the neighbors."

Chapters vote on rule suspension
February 10, 2005 - The Shorthorn

... The council's constitution contains a bylaw stating that only a fraternity with its charter can be in the council. At the council's meeting, chapters were asked to vote on whether they wanted to suspend the bylaw in order to accept the colony, which does not yet have a charter. Each chapter was allowed one vote, and a majority was needed to suspend the bylaw. ...

When Alpha Tau Omega fraternity joined as a colony in April 2002, there were several controversies, he said. ...

Fire code includes greeks
February 9, 2005 - Daily Mississippian

A bill allowing the State Fire Marshal's Office to enforce safety regulations on fraternity and sorority houses passed unanimously in the Mississippi House of Representatives and awaits Senate approval. ...

Millard Mackey, state fire marshal... said it is unclear whether or not the state has the authority to enforce corrections in fire safety code made in the inspections of independently owned private housing on state property. ... He said the issue was raised shortly after the fire at the Ole Miss Alpha Tau Omega fraternity house

Alcohol changes shift social life
February 9, 2005 - The Chronicle

Kegs on the quad. Frat parties on Main West. A packed Hideaway. Once hallmarks of Duke's party scene, these sights are now things of the past.

"West Campus used to be people roaming all over the place and long lines at Pauly Dogs and everyone together," said Chris Carlberg, a senior in Alpha Tau Omega who lives off East Campus with several fraternity brothers. "Now it looks pretty bare on a Saturday or Sunday night."

'Fraternity prank' leaves three facing charges of theft and burglary
February 7, 2005 - The Pacer

What started as a "fraternity prank" early Sunday morning has left three men charged by Martin Police Department with aggravated burglary and theft of property. The director of Greek Life and a fraternity president have both released statements commenting on the incident. ...

The witness told police that the five men said they were there to recover items that had allegedly been taken from the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity house...

SAE may face expulsion from frat council
February 7, 2005 - Michigan Daily

... In February, SAE members vandalized the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity house in an attempt to force their way in - breaking 16 windows and assaulting a student outside the house. Joel Stone, former president of Alpha Tau Omega, concluded that two members of ATO also contributed to the destruction of DKE property. IFC ruled that SAE must pay half of the damages to the DKE house, hold a charitable event and issue a formal apology to DKE. ...

Inside Greek Life
February 4, 2005 - ndspectrum.com

The first time I set foot on NDSU's [web/tickets/eBay] campus, I knew it was the right place for me....

One last thought: Kappa Delta and Alpha Tau Omega are putting on the fifth annual "Freeze-a-Thon" next week to benefit Nokomis Child Care Center. Kappa Delta also has its 23rd annual week-long Shamrock event coming up to benefit Prevent Child Abuse America and the Rape and Abuse Crisis Center of Fargo-Moorhead. ...



UD fraternity appeals eviction
February 4, 2005 - The News Journal

A University of Delaware [web/tickets] fraternity is appealing Newark's decision to close its off-campus house and evict its members following the fraternity's suspension for numerous safety and alcohol violations.

Alpha Tau Omega fraternity members will be able to stay at their house..., until their case is heard by the city's Board of Adjustment. It could be a month before the case is heard, city officials said. ...

Wynn R. Smiley, chief executive officer for ATO's national headquarters, said alumni from the fraternity are considering whether to take legal action against the university over the suspension.

"There's not a direct correlation to Rachel's death," Smiley said. "Do we think that there were risk management issues that need to be looked at? Yes. Do we think that those 'minor issues' should result in the chapter getting kicked off campus? No."...

Bill lets authorities inspect frat houses
February 3, 2005 - The Clarion-Ledger

Fraternity and sorority houses might become subject to inspections from state fire marshals under a Mississippi House bill approved Wednesday.

The bill comes five months after a blaze at the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at the University of Mississippi [web/tickets] killed three students. ...

"Anything that can be done to avoid the tragedy that we had to deal with" the fraternity supports, said Wynn Smiley, CEO of the Alpha Tau Omega national fraternity.

Drinking is students' responsibility
February 3, 2005 - The Brown and White

Let me preface this by saying that I graduated from Lehigh [web/tickets] in 1989, and my husband graduated in 1985. Let me also say he is a Sigma Chi and I am an Alpha Chi Omega, so we both have Greek roots. To this day he swears to me that the Lehigh he went to was more fun then the Lehigh I went to. However, it seems somewhat irrelevant to argue which one of us could drink more at Lehigh. ...

Delta Upsilon and Chi Psi were football houses. Zeta Psi (no longer active) and Theta Xi were soccer, and Theta Xi also had a lot of lacrosse players. Alpha Tau Omega had some wrestlers...

UD frat suspended following death
February 3, 2005 - Tne News Journal

A University of Delaware fraternity has been suspended for multiple violations involving alcohol and safety... Alpha Tau Omega is suspended through 2009. This is the fraternity's seventh case in front of the university's judicial board, university officials said.

Wynn R. Smiley, chief executive officer for ATO's national headquarters, said he was troubled by the university's decision to suspend the fraternity. He said he was "kept in the dark" on much of the judicial proceedings, which is atypical for a host institution.

"We typically work together with the university to operate as a good campus citizen," he said. "Usually we are united, but they have not been upfront with us. I'm concerned that for whatever reason, the university wants this whole thing to go away, and blaming the fraternity is an easy way to make it all go away." ...

Delaware fraternity suspended after alcohol death
February 3, 2005 - NewsDay

... Officials said Alpha Tau Omega is suspended through 2009. The city of Newark [web/tickets] will close the off-campus house and evict the residents Tuesday, a day after spring semester classes start, city solicitor Roger Akin said Wednesday. ...

ATO fraternity suspended
February 2, 2005 - UDaily

The Epsilon Rho chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega (ATO) fraternity at the University of Delaware has been suspended by the University through spring 2009. As provided in city statutes, the city of Newark will close the house at 153 Courtney St., effective Tuesday, Feb. 8, and evict the residents. ...

Rose fans donate books
February 1, 2005 - Tribune-Star

Rose-Hulman [web/tickets] basketball fans can help Alpha Tau Omega fraternity collect books for Kyrgyzstan school children during Thursday's games against DePauw. Persons donating a new or used book that could be used by school children in grades 5-11 will be eligible for a special ATO raffle of gifts. ...

The books will be packaged and sent to Kyrgyzstan, where former ATO chapter president Rich Thacker is currently a teacher with the Peace Corps in the town of Bishkek. ...

Greek grades come in on positive note
February 1, 2005 - The Pacer

Greek grades from fall 2004 show great improvement compared to fall 2003.

The fraternity and sorority averages for fall 2004 are both up when compared to the fall semester of 2003. The fraternities have the biggest achievement to boast about, as they raised their all-fraternity average by more than one-tenth of a point.

...those organizations that were in the top last fall are still in the top this fall. Leading in the fraternities for fall 2004 is Alpha Gamma Rho with a 2.97, followed by Sigma Phi Epsilon with a 2.95 and Alpha Tau Omega with a 2.90. ...

Injured student didn't drink at UNL fraternity
February 1, 2005 - World-Herald Bureau

Alcohol was a factor in the Friday night fall of a University of Nebraska-Lincoln [web/tickets] student, but the alcohol was not consumed at the fraternity house where the fall occurred, according to a UNL police officer. ...

Investigators found no indication that drinking had taken place at the ATO house or at the Delta Tau Delta house where Carroll is a member and a resident. Carroll was visiting friends at the ATO house when the accident occurred. "From everything I've learned to date, neither Delta Tau Delta nor ATO had done anything wrong," said Jim Griesen, vice chancellor for student affairs.

ATO News Archive