Fraternities Positively Impact Community

Fraternities at Trinity College are continuing to demonstrate a renewed initiative in terms of positively contributing to both their immediate and greater communities. Alpha Chi Rho (Crow), Alpha Delta Phi (AD), Cleo of Alpha Chi (Cleo), Pi Kappa Alpha (Pike), Psi Upsilon (Psi U), Sigma Nu, and St. Anthony Hall (The Hall) are further establishing themselves on campus by performing community service and hosting events, among other efforts. As a whole, fraternities are actively involved in community service and annually participate in "Do it Day," "Halloween on Vernon," and "Relay for Life." While these events are campus-wide, fraternities consistently illustrate substantial involvement. For example, according to President of AD Jack Fornaciari '09, "Last year, AD was the only organization to be leaders in both the participation rate and amount raised [at Relay for Life]."

Fraternities further exemplify the role that greek organizations are capable of playing in terms of performing community service through the individual projects that they pursue. President of The Hall Eduardo Canet '09 stated, "[We have] made an effort to find ways [...] to volunteer outside of the standard Trinity community service events. Many members recently participated in 'I March,' a student-led walk through Hartford's North End helping the community to heal after a surge in violence. Also, our annual Holiday Formal benefits the Civil Association for Equality and Justice, an association that promotes respect of fundamental rights for all in Argentina." Psi U hosts a biannual blood drive, and its Spring Formal Concert for Cancer featuring DJ Unk raised over $5,000 for the Patricia and Andrew Salner American Cancer Society Patient Navigation Program at the Helen & Harry Gray Cancer Center at Hartford Hospital. Crow is involved with the local Big Brothers Big Sisters agency.

Fraternities are also making significant efforts to directly enrich student life. By collaborating with other on-campus organizations, fraternities have successfully incorporated a broader group of students into the activities that they sponsor. Of his fraternity, President of Pike Dan Hoyle '09 confirmed, "We are in the process of coordinating more events with Hillel and PRAXIS and are open to any other organization looking to cosponsor an event." Canet shared a similar sentiment, "We see the ability of different organizations to work together as vital in improving life on campus." More specifically, AD has, in the past, worked with The Temple of Hip-Hop to organize free concerts and is currently sponsoring an essay contest devoted to exploring the pertinent issues of the upcoming presidential election (all are invited to submit at ADWritingContest@gmail.com by November 4).

An event in which many fraternities have already invested is "Conversation Over a Cocktail," which endeavors to encourage interaction between a diverse body of student and faculty participants. Already, Psi U has functioned and The Hall is scheduled to function as host to this series.

Despite the negative stereotypes with which they are sometimes associated, fraternities are confident that their efforts will be recognized. President of Sigma Nu Josh Albin '09 stated, "At the end of the day, I believe the Greek system is more valuable to Trinity than it gets credit for." President of Psi U Josh Biren '09 agreed, "There are a lot of stigmas surrounding fraternities. We are constantly trying to break down these stereotypes and improve the reputation of Greek life at Trinity. Our overarching goal is campus unity." Internal Vice President of Psi U John Brennan '09 concluded, "We will always have to fight against the stereotypes that people like to talk about, but the more we reach out to the campus, the more those misconceptions become less prevalent."

Fraternities at Trinity College now boast more than the opportunity to form lifelong relationships and the like. They boast a variety of involvements, the influence of which has become absolutely integral to the community of which they are a part.