Volume 3, Issue 6 

Spring Break Style 

Whitney Carr

There is nothing like a college spring break. Most people go to the beach, and if they are lucky, the Bahamas-or some exotic location in the Caribbean. And we all know the few that have to stay home for lack of funds or because their boss would not let them off work. Then there are always a group of adventurous students that decide to go on alternative spring break. This year, the trip includes participating in hurricane clean-up in Florida, working with wildlife in a national park and a leisurely day in Key West. Sophomore Jacki Gowan is one of ten students that will embark on this journey March 2.

"I think this trip will be very different than anything I've ever done, or anything I'm used to, so it will be a great experience," says Gowan.

But with all the fancy trips and service work that goes on during March, there is always potential for a problem. Someone always gets hurt, sick or possibly spends a night in jail. So how can you avoid any disaster that can end up staying with you forever? 

Make sure you have friends, and good ones who will watch your back and never let you go off on your own.

Girls, don't ever leave with a guy you don't know.

If you are staying in one destination for your whole trip, try to find where the closest hospital or clinic is, just in case someone gets a jelly fish sting or comes down with sun poisoning. 

And remember, drinking one's own weight in alcohol is probably just setting you up for trouble.

All seriousness aside, spring break should be one of the most exciting times of the year. Just try to make memories that don't include the words "police" or "allergic reaction."

It's Election Time

Students from all over the Greek community and MTSU have buckled down and involved themselves in the Student Government Association elections. With the constant reminder of election dates from yard signs, banners, and the absurd amount of Facebook invites, many students, including candidates, are ready for elections to come to an end so a new beginning can start with Spring Break 2007.

This year's SGA Executive and Senate elections have been witness to a surge of students wanting to get involved and change campus for the better. While you are already online reading the newsletter, take a step over to your Pipeline account in order to vote. It is achieved in the same manner in which you check your grades, with a link entitled "SGA Elections" appearing on the far right-hand side. Vote for one candidate in the Executive positions, and then also vote for multiple students to represent you and your college under At-Large and your major's college.  The 2007 Student Government election race will be a close one, in all positions, everything from President to the Senate Seats.  Make sure to vote today through Thursday, March 1^st for the people you believe are the best. The following is a list of Greek members running for each respected executive position

President: Chassen M. Haynes, Kelly Wilder, Jonathan Taylor

Executive Vice President/Speaker of Senate: Josh McKenzie, Gretchen Jenkins

VP Administrative and Public Affairs: Ashely Desabetino

Election Commissioner: Danny Bounds, Brandon Reedy

A complete election wrap-up will be included in the next issue of Letters, which will hit mailboxes Tuesday, March 13^th.

Newly Selected Rho Sigmas

Whitney Carr

Although it's spring, fall recruitment is right around the corner. Rho Sigma interviews were held this past week to try and find sorority women who can best accommodate potential new members as they travel through the labyrinth that is Panhellenic Recruitment. An equal number of ladies from each sorority are held to high standards. Rho Sigmas must have a 2.5 GPA, be in good standing with their sorority, have participated in their organization's formal fall recruitment at least once, and have two recommendations. They are also questioned about handling a group of 15 to 20 girls, and having to disaffiliate from their respected organization.

But being a Rho Sigma is more than meetings and qualifications, it is one of the best experiences a sorority woman can go through during her college years. I'm sure that every past Rho Sigma would proudly say that it was an opportunity of a lifetime. These are the ladies that show what it is to be part of a sisterhood and show potential new members what Greek Life truly has to offer. 

The Fall Recruitment 2007 Rho Sigmas are: Dana Palombo, Brooke Williams, Becky Phillips, Katie Crain, Carly Smith, Megan Crotts, Donna Bennett, Abbie Durham, Mallory Taylor, Ali Bosley, Casey Barrett, Abbie Gates, Courtney Underwood, Paige Gibson, Kendra Dawson, Ashley DeSabetino, Holly Perkins, Katie Leaberry, Sarah Beth Barnes, Carrie Jordan, Lauren Adams, Katie Cash, Lauren Woodruff, Megan Shaffer, Brittney Goldtrap, Rachel Finch, Erin Ferguson, Jessica Johnson, Lauren Wade, Karen Brown, Erin Cothren, Mackenzie Emerson, Ali Sliger, Tracie Henson and Allison Hinton.

Kappa Alpha Order Province Council

John Carter

The Delta Lambda Chapter of Kappa Alpha Order hosted the annual Richard T. Feller Province Council here at MTSU over the weekend.  Over 400 active and alumni brothers representing 10 institutions celebrated the rich history of KA and collaborated on ways to maintain its status among elite fraternal organizations on college campuses. 

Feller Province, covering the entire state of Tennessee, has long been regarded as having the most well organized and executed annual council of the twenty active provinces; however, this year had an added degree of difficulty.  National headquarters approved the realignment of provinces, leaving those schools from Nashville east in Feller Province, and creating the William E. Forester Province for western Tennessee and Arkansas chapters.  The design and management of the weekend's activities was an obviously daunting task, and though he had a committee of men to assist, MTSU senior Frank Johns bore the brunt of the workload.  His labor did not go unnoticed, as Mr. Johns earned the Province Commander Accolade for outstanding service.

The weekend kicked off on Friday with an opening ceremony and Province Commander Jim Lawson bringing the council to order.  Saturday saw the Kappa Alpha Order invade the Keathley University Center.  From 7 a.m. until 6 p.m., brothers participated in breakout sessions covering a breadth of topics ranging from using KA traditions in everyday life to what separates KA from the remainder of the fraternity world to how to improve the overall operations of a chapter. 

The festivities closed with the announcement of awards.  Knight Commander Ben W. Satcher, the highest ranking officer in the Kappa Alpha Order, facilitated his own sessions and presented the honors.  Many were given out, but one stood out above all the rest.  The George Catlett Marshall Award, given to the most outstanding chapter nationally, was awarded to the Delta Upsilon Chapter from the University of Tennessee-Martin.

LIKE, OH MY GOSH!: ALPHA SERIES TARGETS GREEK IMAGE AND VALUES

Megan Thorne

Parties. Dumb blondes. Ridiculous amounts of alcohol. Buying your friends. These are all stereotypes members of the Greek community face. This week, Alpha Series discussed the image that the Greek community projects and how non-Greeks see sorority and fraternity life. Alpha Series members agreed that many only see the parties, the lettered sweatshirts, and the negative issues (hazing, etc). Few people see the leadership positions and community service projects Greeks are involved in. Few people understand what brotherhood and sisterhood mean. Obviously, with so many students on campus, it's impossible to change the stereotypes but nonetheless, Alpha Series is determined to make some impact.

Members discussed on Tuesday that many organizations on campus, including their own fraternities and sororities, share the same values. Scholarship, friendship, community service, and morality seemed to be the most common. By working together, Alpha Series is determined to prove these values are staples of the Greek community. Members were also asked to share their own personal values and the values of their sorority and fraternity. This exercise helped members realize that their organizations reflect the values of their members. By the end of the program, Alpha Series will have targeted ways to combat the negative image Greeks face.