You constantly hear about the negative stereotypes that are portrayed about Greek Life throughout multiple different universities...
"Shockingly Racist Video Gets U of Oklahoma Fraternity Kicked Off Campus."
"Syracuse University Frat in Trouble After Hazing Investigations."
"University of Iowa Sorority Suspended Following Viral Video."
Each of these situations, including many others, have gone viral in some way. Whether they were portrayed on national news or solely through a video shared by social media, these individuals aided to the negative stereotype associated with Greek Life.
But what about the men of the Theta Rho Chapter of Sigma Chi? What will their headline be?
"Illinois State University Fraternity Kicked Off Campus After Raising Thousands of Dollars for Philanthropy Event."
That doesn't make much sense, does it?
The controversy arose when the head of ISU's Greek Life voiced their negative opinions on the traditional events that take place during Sigma Chi's week long philanthropy, Derby Days. Reflecting on the past years and never being disciplined for these events before, Sigma Chi continued with the tradition and moved forward with their philanthropy.
This time, however, the university reacted quickly, disciplining the men of Sigma Chi as well as all of those involved in the week-long event.
The punishment for those involved varies, depending on what went on behind closed doors, but the punishment for Sigma Chi was set in stone.
On Nov. 29, 2015, the Theta Rho Chapter of Sigma Chi was kicked off campus.
While some fraternities are suspended for hazing allegations, this fraternity lost their house and was fully removed from the ISU campus for three years for simply holding their annual philanthropy event.
While this situation may not make national news due to its lack of severity, it will affect the lives of many individuals at Illinois State University, specifically those involved in Greek Life.
Perhaps the university looks down on the men of Theta Rho for ignoring their words of advice and following through with Derby Days - which, by the way, is one of the most popular philanthropies on campus and in the country. However, there are many individuals, including myself, who could never look down on these men.
As a senior, I look back on my time in college and think about how #blessed I am to have ended up at Illinois State. I have had the opportunity to meet some of the greatest people I will ever know, and a majority of these people are the men of Sigma Chi.
I never knew I had to thank them for so many things until I realized the chapter that brought us all together was officially gone.
So thank you for making sure I never walked home by myself at night.
Thank you for letting me shack in your beds or on your futons when I was too tired (or drunk) to even make it home.
Thank you for letting me spend two New Year Eves back to back in your basement.
Thank you for letting me crash your Dad's Day and Alumni Events.
Thank you for causing havoc with me over Spring Break in foreign countries in hopes that we all don't get arrested.
But most of all, thank you for bringing out the best (and the worst intentions) in me.
I have spent three fourths of my college years frolicking upon the sticky floors of 208 W. Willow Street, not knowing that I wouldn't have the opportunity to do it again after the fall semester of 2015.
So here's to the Theta Rho(gue) Chapter of Sigma Chi.
The Sigs may have lost, but the legacy will never die.
