A Closer Look At The Cornell Greek System
PIKE, The System's Reputation and, The Economy
The PIKE Incident
Last week one of Cornell University's fraternities, Pi Kappa Alpha, commonly known as PIKE, was temporarily suspended for sending three freshmen to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. The house was mandated by the University's Inter-Fraternity Council, or IFC to stop operations. The house may also face numerous criminal charges as well.
Because of the incident, the IFC stated that “this incident is being taken very seriously and will likely have repercussions that effect(sic) the entire system.”
Meanwhile, a new debate about the role of the Greek System began not only at Cornell but in the Ithaca community as a whole. The Cornell Daily Sun ran a series of letters to the editor, the most angry stating that he is “loathe to call himself a Cornelian.”
The Cornell Greek System's Impact on the Economy
The Cornell University Greek System is a large economic force in the community. These houses have their own meal plans, are in constant need of renovation, and spend a large amount on discretionary expenses. For instance, the Fraternity and sorority-owned Student Management Corporation spends over $3,000,000 per year on its houses.
These $3,000,000 are spent on everything from food to maintenance, and many of the vendors they contract are locally based, meaning that this money stays within the region. Furthermore, many of the large construction projects undertaken by numerous houses in the last few years were undertaken by local firms.
However, the Greek System is not the perfect economic citizen it may be cracked up to be. Members of the Greek System may not choose to buy local for larger discretionary purchases, such as televisions or furniture. In addition, the student management corporation lists two national chains and only one locally based company for contractors building supplies. While the Greek System does add to the economic climate of Tompkins County, it has a ways to go until it becomes a fully local citizen.
The Cornell Greek System's Reputation
The Cornell University Greek System has had a long heritage of negative press in the Cornell and Ithaca community. In 1994 a treasure trove of Cornell and Ithaca memorabilia, including everything from stolen street signs to a second set of hands for McGraw Tower, was found in the basement of the Sigma Phi Society. Fraternities are known to occasionally swamp emergency rooms during the weekend days, especially during Rush Week, when the PIKE incident occurred. In addition, drunken fraternity boys have been the target of vandalism and rape accusations.
However, the Cornell Greek System is attempting to rebuild its reputation. Many houses hold numerous philanthropy events, raising thousands for worthy charities. Members of the Greek System have donated time to senior centers, soup kitchens, and cleanups around the Ithaca area.
When, over the next few months, the Cornell Greek System is reformed, which it inevitably will be, think about the benefits and burdens of the Greek System. The decisions made by the IFC will radiate throughout the entire community.
Last week one of Cornell University's fraternities, Pi Kappa Alpha, commonly known as PIKE, was temporarily suspended for sending three freshmen to the hospital for alcohol poisoning. The house was mandated by the University's Inter-Fraternity Council, or IFC to stop operations. The house may also face numerous criminal charges as well.
Because of the incident, the IFC stated that “this incident is being taken very seriously and will likely have repercussions that effect(sic) the entire system.”
Meanwhile, a new debate about the role of the Greek System began not only at Cornell but in the Ithaca community as a whole. The Cornell Daily Sun ran a series of letters to the editor, the most angry stating that he is “loathe to call himself a Cornelian.”
The Cornell Greek System's Impact on the Economy
The Cornell University Greek System is a large economic force in the community. These houses have their own meal plans, are in constant need of renovation, and spend a large amount on discretionary expenses. For instance, the Fraternity and sorority-owned Student Management Corporation spends over $3,000,000 per year on its houses.
These $3,000,000 are spent on everything from food to maintenance, and many of the vendors they contract are locally based, meaning that this money stays within the region. Furthermore, many of the large construction projects undertaken by numerous houses in the last few years were undertaken by local firms.
However, the Greek System is not the perfect economic citizen it may be cracked up to be. Members of the Greek System may not choose to buy local for larger discretionary purchases, such as televisions or furniture. In addition, the student management corporation lists two national chains and only one locally based company for contractors building supplies. While the Greek System does add to the economic climate of Tompkins County, it has a ways to go until it becomes a fully local citizen.
The Cornell Greek System's Reputation
The Cornell University Greek System has had a long heritage of negative press in the Cornell and Ithaca community. In 1994 a treasure trove of Cornell and Ithaca memorabilia, including everything from stolen street signs to a second set of hands for McGraw Tower, was found in the basement of the Sigma Phi Society. Fraternities are known to occasionally swamp emergency rooms during the weekend days, especially during Rush Week, when the PIKE incident occurred. In addition, drunken fraternity boys have been the target of vandalism and rape accusations.
However, the Cornell Greek System is attempting to rebuild its reputation. Many houses hold numerous philanthropy events, raising thousands for worthy charities. Members of the Greek System have donated time to senior centers, soup kitchens, and cleanups around the Ithaca area.
When, over the next few months, the Cornell Greek System is reformed, which it inevitably will be, think about the benefits and burdens of the Greek System. The decisions made by the IFC will radiate throughout the entire community.
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~Cornell Students Protest Nike's Treatment of Honduran W... (Mon 5/3)
~Cornell Student Reported Injured in Fall Creek Gorge (Mon 5/3)
~World's Largest Laser And Earth's Smallest Star (Thu 4/29) 1 Comment
~Census Takers Visiting Homes in Ithaca (Wed 4/28)
~General in Town (Mon 4/26)
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~Trial of former Cornell student continues (Thu 4/8)
~Body of Matthew Zika Recovered (Wed 4/7)
~Moderate Exercise May Promote Healthy Baby Delivery Wei... (Tue 4/6)
~Ithaca Farmers Market to Open Saturday (Fri 4/2)
~Toads and Earthquakes (Thu 4/1) 1 Comment
~Genetic Switches and Vocal Development (Thu 4/1)
~Spring Street Cleaning Notice (Fri 3/19)
~New Exoplanet Found (Thu 3/18)
~Deep Brain Stimulation May Hold Promise For Epilepsy Pa... (Thu 3/18)
~Statement by President David Skorton on Death of Matthe... (Sat 3/13)
~Earthquake Shakes Ithaca (Wed 6/23) 1 Comment
~Water Main Break Endangers Cornell Building (Fri 5/21)
~Scientists Create Living Cell From Synthetically-Engine... (Fri 5/21)
~Senate Primary Elections Indicate an Interesting Midter... (Wed 5/19)
~Limewire Taken To Court (Thu 5/13)
~Apple, Adobe, Flash and the iPhone (Thu 5/13)
~Childhood Obesity In America (Thu 5/6)
~Oil Spill in the Gulf still a worry (Tue 5/4)
~Cornell Students Protest Nike's Treatment of Honduran W... (Mon 5/3)
~Cornell Student Reported Injured in Fall Creek Gorge (Mon 5/3)
~World's Largest Laser And Earth's Smallest Star (Thu 4/29) 1 Comment
~Census Takers Visiting Homes in Ithaca (Wed 4/28)
~General in Town (Mon 4/26)
~Earth Day Celebrations in Full Swing (Thu 4/22)
~New Work In Artificial Pancreas Development (Fri 4/16)
~NASA Planning To Send Six Astronauts And One Robot Into... (Thu 4/15)
~Cornell University Holds Second Annual "Sick in America... (Tue 4/13)
~Justice Stevens' Retirement Will Pose a Political Chall... (Tue 4/13)
~Tompkins County Travel May Be Affected If US Airways an... (Mon 4/12)
~Trial of former Cornell student continues (Thu 4/8)
~Body of Matthew Zika Recovered (Wed 4/7)
~Moderate Exercise May Promote Healthy Baby Delivery Wei... (Tue 4/6)
~Ithaca Farmers Market to Open Saturday (Fri 4/2)
~Toads and Earthquakes (Thu 4/1) 1 Comment
~Genetic Switches and Vocal Development (Thu 4/1)
~Spring Street Cleaning Notice (Fri 3/19)
~New Exoplanet Found (Thu 3/18)
~Deep Brain Stimulation May Hold Promise For Epilepsy Pa... (Thu 3/18)
~Statement by President David Skorton on Death of Matthe... (Sat 3/13)
