Sigma Chi - University of California-Berkeley

2 THE CAL SIG FRATERNITIES AT BERKELEY FACE ONGOING LEGISLATIVE ISSUES I n the past year, you have most likely read stories regarding the negative aspects of Greek life, and maybe even encountered speculation as to whether fraternities are still beneficial to young men. In the lawsuit filed in January 2010, it was alleged that neighboring campus fraternities at Berkeley acted to create nuisances, including public drunkenness and excessive noise. Since then, Cal Greek life has been in the crossfire of media scrutiny. More than 100 students attended a Berkeley City Council special work session last fall to protest an ordinance that would place additional regulations on mini-dorms and group living accommodations. Mini-dorms, according to the ordinance, are housing units occupied by six or more people over the age of 18, while group living accommodations are buildings designed for residential use by non- familial individuals, including fraternities, sororities, and student cooperatives. If enacted, the ordinance would also require the designation of a responsible resident in each unit who would be accountable for proper waste management, the notification of neighbors regarding gatherings of more than 50 people, and issuing of a response to any community complaints within 24 hours. We know from our own personal experiences that these issues do not represent the values of Sigma Chi and the Greek community. What doesn't make headlines is all the good these organizations do. In fact, in the 2013-14 school year alone, fraternities raised more than $20.7 million for philanthropies and completed 3.8 million hours of community service, according to a study by the North American Interfraternity Conference. Also, fraternity members are 20% more likely to graduate than non-members, and with more than 9 million members nationwide, Greeks have the largest network of volunteers in the country. Thank you for supporting all the positive ways Alpha Beta impacts Cal and the Berkeley community. BUILDING ON A PROUD PAST graduating. "Being a leader in Alpha Beta taught me how to effectively deal with conflict, manage an organization, and interact with brothers whose backgrounds and interests differed from my own," Bill says. "During my time in Alpha Beta, I learned that there are two things that influence success: the goals you set and the steps you take to achieve those goals. My brothers inspired me to not only set goals for myself but to actively pursue them. Who you choose to associate with can significantly impact your life goals and aspirations, and this cannot ring more true with the men I surrounded myself with in Alpha Beta." After graduating from Berkeley, Bill pursued his interest in law and became dean of the law school for the University of Texas at Austin. Bill eventually became president of the university in 2006 and served in this position for 10 years. Some of Bill's proudest achievements as the university president include developing the undergraduate curriculum for current and future students, establishing the first medical school at a major research university in 40 years, securing a $3.2 billion campaign for the university, and overseeing various building projects on campus throughout the years. "It was an honor and a privilege to lead a great research university and impact the lives of students for years to come," he says. As an alumnus, Bill maintains connections with several brothers, including Bill Shaw '68 and Bob Rebuschatis '68. He encourages alumni to become more involved with Alpha Beta and says, "Sigma Chi has impacted the lives of young men at Berkeley since 1886, and our chapter continues to thrive because of dedicated alumni who give back to the place that gave them so much. Each of us gained unique friendships and life lessons during our time in Alpha Beta, and it is my hope that future generations of fraternity men will have the same opportunities to excel in the fraternity as I had." Bill has returned to the UT law faculty. He enjoys playing golf, exercising, reading, spending time with family and his fraternity brothers, and attending sporting events at the University of Texas. He and his wife, Kim, have five children, Matt, Kate, Allison, Anne, and Reid, and take pleasure in all that Austin, Texas, has to offer. You can contact Bill at wpowers@utexas.edu. Continued from page 1 CHAPTER OFFICERS Consul Andy Ficek '17 Fargo, N.D. cal.sigmachi.pres@gmail.com Pro Consul Marc Mansour '18 Algonquin, Ill. Annotator Matthew Bryant Anderson '17 Mission Viejo, Calif. Quaestor Markus Antti Sakari Kytömaa '17 Belmont, Mass. Magister Nima Shajarian '17 Santa Monica, Calif. Risk Manager Jeffrey Lee Wei '19 Santa Clarita, Calif. Recruitment Chairman Valentino Calderon '17 Huntington Beach, Calif.

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