Greek system expanding

By Lauren Busto

With the addition of another social fraternity, Santa Clara's greek community is expanding, raising questions about their future with the university after the departure of University President Paul Locatelli, S.J.

Because the greek system has not been affiliated with the university since 2001, the students are in charge of establishing new organizations.

Freshmen Vytautas Degesys and Greg Kaplow have been the driving forces behind the establishment of the new fraternity, Sigma Chi.

Both Degesys and Kaplow have family connections to the fraternity, which motivated them to start a chapter at Santa Clara.

Though a search for a new university president is underway, Jeanne Rosenberger, vice provost for student life and dean of students, said it is "impossible to predict" how the relationship between the university and the greek system might change.

Greeks are torn over the issue of the system rejoining the school. While some see it as an eventual goal, others, like Brendan Parker of Sigma Pi, think that the restrictions that would come with it aren't worth the benefits.

Degesys said he enjoyed his experience with a Sigma Chi chapter at the University of Florida, and that they showed the kind of camaraderie he was interested in becoming a part of.

After he decided to attend Santa Clara, a few representatives from Sigma Chi's national organization approached Degesys to see if he would start a new chapter at the university.

During winter quarter, he and Kaplow got together to discuss making Sigma Chi a reality.

With the help of the chapter at San Jose State University, local alumni and Sigma Chi's national organization, there are 27 students pledging.

Currently, they are classified by the national organization as a Sigma Chi colony, but they are hoping to get their official charter by the end of fall quarter next year.

Aleck Hiscox, a freshman Sigma Chi pledge, said there were some initial questions from the other fraternities about a new organization, but they have since warmed up to Sigma Chi's presence at the university.

Parker said he is hopeful about having a new fraternity. "We're all excited to work with them and give them a place on this campus," he said.

Ryan Adlesh, president of California Phi, said that he doesn't think his fraternity will be affected much by Sigma Chi.

"We're more concerned with having fun than a new fraternity coming," Adlesh said.

He said the new fraternity was unlikely to take pledges from Cal Phi.

Representatives from Pi Kappa Alpha did not respond to requests for an interview.

In the seven years since ties between the social Greek organizations and the university were cut, their chapter numbers have increased. In 2004, the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta was added to meet increased demand for membership.

The inter-sorority organization, Panhellenic Council, has had contact with several national organizations about the possibility of starting a new sorority, said Kiely Nose, chairman of the extension committee for the council.

However. nothing has been decided for sure, she said.

Contact Lauren Busto at (408) 554-4546 or lbusto@scu.edu