Greeks accentuate positive

Fraternity life isn’t all about beer.

In a move that quashed some stereotypes of Greek life, members of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity on Friday helped an 89-year-old Lawrence woman by building a new wooden ramp to her front door.

People “think it’s all about partying and the social aspect, when actually we’re out doing stuff like this,” said Tony Hoover, Pi Kappa Phi’s philanthropy chairman.

About 3,500 Kansas University students are members of Kansas University’s greek system. And Friday’s ramp-building activity isn’t the only community service project.

“I see them doing great things and I’m very proud of the students,” said Erin Michaelis, KU’s assistant director for fraternity and sorority life.

In another project, several fraternities and sororities are working to raise $50,000 for a Habitat for Humanity house. They added $6,000 to the coffers recently with a silent auction. For Halloween, one sorority collected food and canned goods and donated the items to those who need them.

At times, greeks do get in trouble. KU’s Sigma Nu fraternity lost its charter because of hazing practices.

Members of Pi Kappa Phi fraternity at Kansas University help construct a house ramp for an elderly Lawrence resident. Cutting a board for the project Friday, in the foreground, are fraternity members Mike Foley, Olathe senior, left, and Brian Smith, Oklahoma City freshman.

“It can be frustrating to have one organization that behaves poorly and that behavior is generalized to the rest of the group,” Michaelis said.

Fay Talley, the homeowner who received a new ramp, has had a metal ramp for some time. But she’s been afraid to use it because it was too steep, she said. She let the men do the work Friday while she stayed inside.

“I’m grateful for it,” she said.