Texas A and M University - Aggieland Yearbook (College Station, TX)

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Life 19

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OFFICIAL AGGIE FRATS Greek organizations granted recognition nine years after first attempt. n 1896 the first Greek or- ganization, Alpha Phi, was founded at Texas A M to link together former students. The fraternity merged with the Alumni Association in 1900, but the groundwork had been laid and a controversy had begun. In the July 5, 1945, issue of “The Bat¬ talion,” an article appeared, commenting on a July “Readers Digest” story that told of the evils of Greek letter organizations. The “Battalion” article said, “Every Aggie who reads that article will be fully in accord with its every assertion; otherwise he cannot claim the supreme honor of be¬ ing an Aggie, for A M is symbolic of de¬ mocracy — the worst enemy of the soror¬ ity and the fraternity. In 1965, five Hart Hall residents decid¬ ed to start a fraternal organization by the name Phi Delta Sigma. By 1973, number¬ ing 56, they became a nationally recog¬ nized chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. When the group sought official recognition in 1977 they were denied. In September 1985, nine years later, the University granted recognitions to Greek organizations. As of May, 1986, no sorority had applied for university recogni¬ tion and the larger fraternities had voiced no intention of seeking recognition. While some are claiming a victory for the Greeks, many members of the Greek system say they did not ask for recognition and do not want it. Sigma Chi President Danny Parsley voiced his opinions, saying, “The strength of the fraternity system is strictly from within. What has the University done to help fraternities get to where they are to¬ day? Nothing.” Many fraternity members feel Interfra¬ ternity Council’s recognition is enough be¬ cause the Council is the fraternities so- verning body. Wes Williams, president of the Interfra¬ ternity Council said, “If a fraternity gets in trouble, the IFC can act as an interme¬ diary between the university and the fra¬ ternity.” “We’re (the fraternities) big enough that we don’t need what the university has to offer — meeting places or advertising. These things are good for a smaller frater¬ nity,” Williams said. But Phi Sigma Kappa Vice President Tom Owmbey said university recognition “gives us the opportunity to become more visible to the students, and since we’re a small organization now, this will allow us to grow,” he said. Opinions from students not affiliated with the Greek system are still somewhat mixed. One Davis-Gary resident said he felt fraternities aren’t really for A M. He said he feels they are harmful to the school spirit and doesn’t feel they participate in school traditions like Bonfire. But Richard Williams, vice president of the university recognized agricultural fra¬ ternity Alpha Gamma Rho commented, “They complain that we won’t participate in the traditions of A M, but they give us a hard time if we do.” Cadet Peter Teliha voiced another opin¬ ion that seems to be prominent with the A M student body. “What’s important is that you’re an Ag first.” By Dawn Butz 18 Life

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AGGIE’S DRINKING PLACES Students find their favorite watering holes seven days a week. t sometimes was T.G.I.F. . T Sometimes it was the infa- mous Thursday night on the town. Still other times could have been dollar Corona ' s on Wednesdays, Drink and Drown on Tuesdays or “just because” on Monday. Whatever the day was, most clubs and restaurants had a healthy drink¬ ing clientele throughout the week. That crummy test. How could that prof even think of those questions? Archaeic man. Yeah, another round. Who keeps shaking my bar stool? I’m moving. Whether it was a starched button-down and Wranglers or an argyle vest and khakis, you could find all types of dressers and drinkers in every crowd. Blue jeans and longnecks in the Dixie Chicken crowd, except for a few mini-skirt and baggy jean- types drinking wine coolers. Man, look at that fine guy over there. He didn’t drink all those pitchers, did he? Good, let’s go talk to him. Oh, yeah. O.K., you twisted my arm. One more game of pool, but that guy needs a domino partner for 42. Oh, my god. Did you see all the scooternasties are on the porch of Dudd- ley’s again with their bikes? But, the guys just won the intramural championship and they’re in there. We can tough it out, just stay close together. Just as much of a variety of people could be seen in the RoxZ lines. Lines, not crowds, because everyone was in lines with their plastic cups until the free drinks were over. Sure, I’d love to dance. What kind of budget booze is this anyway? I’m growing hair on my chest. Don’t lose me in this crowd. Let’s fight our way to the dance floor, try to move on the floor and get out of here alive. Graham Central Station, upholding sev¬ eral Aggies’ budgets with $.75 drinks and shots, kept the dance floor packed with bobbing cowboy hats and shuffling boots. How did she get those jeans on? I want to dance. I really want to dance. No, not him again, please no. Huh? Oh, no thanks. I’m waiting for some friends . . . Smile. Why me? With a similar crowd, the Texas Hall of Fame, a favorite of Aggies for years, drew a younger crowd for dancin’ and roman¬ cin’. I swear she has gone out with half of that guy’s seniors. She’s investing in the fut ure. Yeah, she keeps hitting on that ju¬ nior. Another diverse crowd conversed on MC2, the new-wave club where black walls and neon lights limit visibility, but enhanced the expressionistic dancing. I really don’t think I could ever wear that. Do you even believe it? Are those two guys or two girls or a guy and a girl? I 20 Life